Television Ratings....stumped

[fester8542]

<b>I was looking through CNN.com and I came across this article. I generally dont give a floppy shiznit about this kind of stuff but....

look at this and hopefully you can answer my question</b>




BOX OFFICE TOP 10
Prime-time ratings compiled by Nielsen Media Research for January 27 - February 2.

1. "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," 16.6 million homes
2. "Friends," 16.3 million homes
3. "American Idol-Wednesday, (tied)" 14.3 million homes
3. "ER, (tied)" 14.3 million homes
5. "American Idol-Tuesday," 13.7 million homes
6. "Joe Millionaire," 12.1 million homes
7. "CSI: Miami," 11.2 million homes
8. "Everybody Loves Raymond, (tied)" 11.1 million homes
8. "Scrubs, (tied)" 11.1 million homes
10. "Without a Trace," 10.8 million homes.


How do they determine the ratings? Does your cable box actually send a signal back to your cable company telling them what you are watching? I dont see how privacy acts would allow that. I dont think they use poll, because it would be insanely inaccurate.

I dunno if you know please let me know I am curious

[eilsoe]

I've been wondering about this too...

[Kitiara]

I <i>think</i> and don't quote me on this that a certain number of selected people have a box attached to their TV, which is monitored. Each one box represents about 1000 or so people. They get the figures from that. Allegedly.

[SureShot]

I belive Kitiara has hit the nail on the head :)

They have a ton of people with them and then they just average out the ratings. Thing is - I have never met anyone with one of those boxes... or maybe I have and it just hasnt come up in coversation - I just dont know :)

[sintax321]

I do belive Kit is right. They are called Neilson familys. I think you get free cable if you alow them to moniter your tv.

[fester8542]

hmmm...thats interesting


Do these people know that thier television habbits are being recorded?

I dont think I like the idea of my tesevison being monitored.

I hope I am not the 1 out of 1000

I do like the idea of free cable

[sintax321]

Yep they know they are being moniterd. They sign up for it.

[kirupa]

Yeah, I always wondered that as well - guess I learned something new as well! :q:

[Makaveli]

Originally posted by kirupa
Yeah, I always wondered that as well - guess I learned something new as well! :q:


yay!! a first for the random section!!! w000t!!!

i hate these stupid reality tv shows, HATE HATE HATE

[GARRETTDESIGN]

Originally posted by Makaveli
i hate these stupid reality tv shows, HATE HATE HATE



I second that motion, I hate them SOOOOOOOOOOO much. They make me sick