How do TV & radio stations know viewer ratings?

Question

Please don't tell me they're estimates based on surveys, because one channel beats the other by 1000 more.

Answer 1

Most TV and Radio ratings are provided by the Nielsen Ratings, a system developed by Nielsen Media Research

Nielsen Television Ratings are gathered by one of two ways; by extensive use of surveys, where viewers of various demographics are asked to keep a written record (called a diary) of the television programming they watch throughout the day and evening, or by the use of Set Meters, which are small devices connected to every television in selected homes.

These devices gather the viewing habits of the home and transmit the information nightly to Nielsen through a "Home Unit" connected to a phone line. Set Meter information allows market researchers to study television viewing habits on a minute to minute basis, seeing the exact moment viewers change channels or turn off their TV. In addition to this technology, the implementation of individual viewer reporting devices (called People meters) allow the company to separate household viewing information into various demographic groups.

In 2005, Nielsen began measuring the usage of digital video recordings (TiVo, for example) and initial results indicate that time-shifted viewing will have a significant impact on television ratings.

For an overview of how it works see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nielsen_Ratings
or go to the company's web site and click on the various links for a detailed explanation of how they "SAY" they do it.

http://www.nielsenmedia.com/nc/portal/site/Public/menuitem.3437240b94cacebc3a81e810d8a062a0/?vgnextoid=130547f8b5264010VgnVCM100000880a260aRCRD

Answer 2

i,m a participator check out atr neilsen or the barb websites if you take part you get a black box attached to the tv and a remote that you have to enter the viewers number in there is no payment for taking part but you earn points and can change these into vouchers for high street stores gaining more points per month per years you have been taking part hope this helps

Answer 3

Some of it is based on surveys but it's mainly based on people who have voluntarily had a black box fitted to their telly which shows the market research people what channel they were watching and when.

Answer 4

they spy on you from inside your tele and they know when you change channels this is why you should never do anything naughty in front of it cuz you will get fount out

Answer 5

polls