how does the Neilsen ratings work...

[eatlasagna]

Posted: 11/30/09 at 2:18am

I never really understood it. So if someone is a Nielsen family (btw, how does one get it? Is it just like that episode of Roseanne where you are randomly chosen?) then how do they measure exactly who is watching what in a household? And it measures the tv and not how many people are sitting in front watching, right? How do they know someone of a certain age is specifically watching a channel or show?

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 11/30/09 at 4:36pm

I believe it is a combination of a set top box that sends information and diaries or logs that the members of the household fill out and submit.

[jasonf]

Posted: 11/30/09 at 6:06pm

We were once chosen to do the diaries, and each member of the family filled one out. We were to list every time we watched any show in 15 minute blocks. I don't remember them asking if there were more people watching with us though. This was back when I was maybe 12 years old, and all I cared about were the shows I liked, so even if I didn't really watch them, I filled out the block for the shows that I DID like. Who could bear the responsibility for being the person to get the Jetsons cancelled? (Old Simpsons reference, I believe...)

[kelzama]

Posted: 12/1/09 at 10:41am

As recently as 10 years ago, it was still logging all your viewing habits in a notebook log.

When I asked what my compensation would be for all the time involved, they said the honor of being a Neilsen family and the knowledge that we'd be helping to shape future television programming.

I declined. They called back a half a dozen more times asking if we'd do it. I don't know how they got our number.