Nielsen rating system...outdated?

Richard Dower

What's your take on the Nielsen system?, it was created in the pre internet days, before Itunes, Hulu, DVR and what not. The networks seem to turn to this system to justify renewel or cancellation of a show....but does it truely reflect the actual number of viewers?

What changes are needed, if any?

Biggins

I agree that its way outdated.
For all the above reasons already stated. Also Tivo and dvd/hard-drive etc, recorders.
I really can't understand why they are still using it.

ixoy

Yes but the problem with DVR and many other forms of media is that people can use them to skip the ads. Agencies are interested only in the viewership who are exposed to their ads and its their money that funds the show - hence the reason for not using Internet figures, etc.

Having said that I believe there's more use being made of factoring in DVR bumps when examining shows - there's a +7 factor used to bring in these figures. It probably helps for a show on the bubble but wouldn't be seen as being nearly as important as the base figures on the night.

anotherlostie

But just think of all those new shows you'll get to watch next year because of the current ones getting the axe.

So far I am losing Lost (known about for years) and now Dollhouse (known about for an hour). Lost is not ending because of ratings. Dollhouse's ratings were so poor it wouldn't matter what system you used to measure them.

The one thing I have noticed is that the US networks have been a lot more patient with shows this year and last than in the past - nothing got hauled off after 2 episodes, Dollhouse got that second season and like Eastwick will play out its current eps.

User45701

well in the future ratings will be close 100% accurate

A webpage can count hits as more and more things move to digital and sites like hulu that legally let you wartch TV shows ( hopefully those sites will let you watch from EVERY COUNTRY ) and keep accurate accounts of IP addresses we will get to see much better numbers for TV shows.

Even if execs choose to pay more attention to real TV viewing because of the increased revenue it would still be nice to actually know how many people watch what shows.

online sites that legally show TV shows should have two short adds for products one a the start and one at the end of a show

Kipperhell

I am sure they use all revenue sources to figure out whether a show is viable or not these days. The Nielson ratings are still going to be a huge influence as it in theory tells how many people are watching the ads. It has to be said it is incredibly inaccurate to what can be done these days to get accurate stats. In saying that I am am not sure of the advancements they have made. Do they cater for multiple TVs now? I remember they didn't in the 90s here.

If advertisement revenue decreases by reduced ads will the channels be able to keep producing the same amount or quality? I can see world wide subscription channels coming in the future. The current model will have to change. The TV industry will obviously resist changes as they try to protect revenue. If they ever figure out how to police the internet it won't change that much.

The internet revolution will have such a long lasting effect similar to the industrial one