how are the TV ratings figured? how do "they" know who is watching what? just something i've always wondered about. please don't let this go political or bashing of certain things you do not like. Lee
-
Forum Update: We've upgraded the software to improve security, performance, and the overall experience.
👉 Read why we made the change | Support the Forum
TV ratings question
- Thread starter Lee Barner
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
In the old pre pc days, Nielsen would send a log to selected households that you would list what you were watching and when. My parents did this in the 60s
bigwheelzip
Absent Comrade
My MIL has become a Nielson survey regular contributor. They mail her crisp money in return for her participation.
DWalt
Member
I also have participated in those paper surveys several times, but that was a long time ago when most people watched mostly the three main networks plus maybe PBS, not the multitude of channels available today. I don't remember getting paid for doing them back then. You basically kept a log for a week showing what programs/channels you watched and when, then you mailed it back to them. I have also wondered how it's done today.
Nielsen sent me booklets twice last year. They even call your house to ask if you'll complete the surveys. One was for radio and the other was for TV. I also got an in depth survey about the "household". They do send crisp uncirculated sequential bills as payment.
Absalom
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
I was randomly selected to be a contributor too, for six months I think, back in the 90s. I didn’t have to fill out any paper, there was some device hooked up to my TV that I turned on when I watched, although I honestly don’t remember how the Nielsen folks retrieved the data. Part of the deal was that they paid half for any repair or replacement of your TV equipment; I did end up having to replace the VCR that served as my cable box at the time, and Nielsen did send me a check for half the purchase price; that was a nice deal.
I agree with Humphrey Bogart. He was once asked about non drinkers. He replied " I don't trust them." The same goes with polls for me.
I have had several times done the ones for radio and kept the money.
The one for TV, I just sent the five bucks back to them......
To much trouble and time wasted.
The one for TV, I just sent the five bucks back to them......
To much trouble and time wasted.
The Analyst
Member
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2020
- Messages
- 191
- Reaction score
- 303
I've been told by various tech people that the cable & satellite companies track everything watched and then collect the data to determine ratings. It's easy, quick and inexpensive. We know the cell phone providers do it.
The heck with ratings. I want to know who decided that I wanted continuous yakking during sporting events. Probably the same people who decided I wanted background music during documentaries. I didn't list shows like Guns & Ammo, because they've evidently decided I want bad foreground music while people are talking and shooting. 
THE PILGRIM
Member
Years ago, I have also done the Nielsen.
Don’t remember getting crisped up all that much.
Don’t remember getting crisped up all that much.
Jack Flash
SWCA Member
I thought something like that is how it's done, but wondered how they know your TV is actually on.
For instance, I watch the 12 noon local news to get the weather, then shut the TV off. So the cable box is still tuned to that channel as it drones on and on with soap operas all afternoon. They must think I'm a hard core fan of "The Young and the Restless", et al.
Your TV has a camera in it that shows what you are doing. They keep track not only of what people watch, but also how many watch TV in their underwear. Be sure to wear clean underwear like your mama taught you - it's not just in case you have an accident and go to the ER anymore.
----
Seriously, given the near absence of people with antennas on their roof, they track what you want electronically whether it's a streaming service like Netflix, Tubi or Hulu, or a satellite or cable service. Electrons and information flow both ways.
Use of surveys is limited, but can still be useful in terms of collecting demographic information on viewers that can then be generalized to the much larger data set collected directly through the various streaming, satellite and cable services.
----
Seriously, given the near absence of people with antennas on their roof, they track what you want electronically whether it's a streaming service like Netflix, Tubi or Hulu, or a satellite or cable service. Electrons and information flow both ways.
Use of surveys is limited, but can still be useful in terms of collecting demographic information on viewers that can then be generalized to the much larger data set collected directly through the various streaming, satellite and cable services.
With the cable and satellite boxes now in use I’m sure that they’re keeping track of what’s on when.
Big brother is always keeping tabs these days. Very easy in the computer age.
One of the first things I do with a computer or laptop is tape over the camera lens. Call me paranoid but I’ve heard stories....
Big brother is always keeping tabs these days. Very easy in the computer age.
One of the first things I do with a computer or laptop is tape over the camera lens. Call me paranoid but I’ve heard stories....
DWalt
Member
As all of your internet browsing is being tracked by numerous organizations, I assume that the same thing can be done to obtain your TV viewing habits. I just don't know how it is done.
It's probably a fairly sophisticated procedure as ratings are very important to the networks to set advertising rates and also to decide which shows stay and which get cut. I don't know how it would work for radio as for the most part, radio signals still come through the air in a non-digital format.
It's probably a fairly sophisticated procedure as ratings are very important to the networks to set advertising rates and also to decide which shows stay and which get cut. I don't know how it would work for radio as for the most part, radio signals still come through the air in a non-digital format.
I did the Nielsen booklet once while stationed in Ohio in the early '90s. I logged a lot more radio time than TV time.
BigBill
Absent Comrade
I don’t watch much modern tv. I watch Pluto tv old shows.
Aggie1906
US Veteran
Pretty sure they are tracking my TV choices. Like most of us, had to read Brave New World & 1984 in school. Seems we may be kinda living it now.
Worried a bit about Lord of the Flies coming next.
On the good side, not much worried about being drafted.
Worried a bit about Lord of the Flies coming next.
On the good side, not much worried about being drafted.
Latest posts
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
FINLAND - The Winter War 1939 -> NATO member 2023 - general matter about Finland- Latest: S&WshooterFIN
-
-
