posted
So I got a call a couple weeks ago from the folks who do the Nielson Ratings to participate in helping determine what people watch on tv.
I'm not sure how I got picked by them, but starting Thursday I get to keep a log of everything I watch on TV for a week and then mail them the results.
I watch about zero tv (just dvds), but as it is I agreed to play along and I just received my journals in the mail today along with $10 (cash bribe) for helping them out. So from this Thursday thru next Wednesday, I get to "be heard" and "let the ratings people know what the audience is watching on tv" - somewhat paraphasing what I was told over the phone.
I figure I'm putting "Enterprise" down, just as my little contribution to keeping the show on the air -- mind you, without breaking a sweat .
Anyway, I know very little about how the Nielson Ratings work, and I am not sure the sample size they are picking from, but according to the lady on the phone I represent "thousands" to "tens of thousands" of individuals in my demographic (~Male, White, 25y/o) in the state of Michigan. (I live in a metropolitan area with a population of over a million).
They seem to have played it up pretty big with the multiple phone calls to track me down, the letter indicating I will be receiving my tv journal, then the journal sent the following day - USPS priority mail.
Anyway, thought I would share that with you all, and wondered if anyone else had any thoughts or input on the inner workings of this whole scenario.
-------------------- Hey, it only took 13 years for me to figure out my password...
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted
Religion wasn't mentioned, just number of tvs and individuals on premesis; my age, sex and generic ethnicity. I'm supposed to keep an individual log for both tvs I own, despite not having even turned the second one on in 2 months.
-------------------- Hey, it only took 13 years for me to figure out my password...
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted
FG: Pity, otherwise you would fit the WASP mold. The so-called everyman of America
I'm surprised that they still do this kind of thing. Wouldn't it be easier just to tap people with digital cable and satellite? (i.e. we've give you $10 so we can monitor your stuff electronically for a week) It would seem to be easier and more accurate.
Kinda sad though, do people actually write down on paper that they watch A Simple Life and the latest Fox "When Things Go Whatever"?
Registered: Mar 1999
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posted
Thats what they want. I'm sure there is some sort of legality issue with "tapping" someones cable, however, TiVo does keep track of similar data....besides there has to be some way to keep track of all 5 of us who have broadcast television only beaming into our caves.
Hmm, I see "Enterprise" airs here at 6:30pm on Saturdays instead of Friday nights like elsewhere...
-------------------- Hey, it only took 13 years for me to figure out my password...
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted
I did this for the local radio stations once, but that week I forgot to actually listen to the radio, so I guess it didn't matter much. I earned a dollar, though.
Registered: Mar 1999
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quote:Originally posted by AndrewR: Log down Stargate-SG1, Stargate Atlantis and also any reruns of Futurama.
Stargate-SG1 is the only thing I get, but I'm not a fan of that show, plus it is on when I sleep so I'm probably not going to make an effort to watch that show.
Futurama is only on cable/dtv/etal which I do not have....unfortuately, I want to be legit about this.
quote:Originally posted by Harry: And anything Firefly related.
Same story.
I did, however, watch/put down Mutant X and Andromeda...and of course Enterprise. But thats about all of the sci-fi I have access to.
-------------------- Hey, it only took 13 years for me to figure out my password...
Registered: Jan 2003
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