Posted by adamapple at pool-141-157-120-51.balt.east.verizon.net on March 16, 2002 at 12:03:46:
In Reply to: Best TV shows that got canceled too early? posted by Stuttering_Jim on March 16, 2002 at 05:26:46:
Can I take just a moment to rant here?
The Nielsen system is out of date and antiquated.
Nielsen uses a technique called statistical sampling to rate the shows -- the same technique that pollsters use to predict the outcome of elections. Nielsen creates a "sample audience" and then counts how many in that audience view each program. Nielsen then extrapolates from the sample and estimates the number of viewers in the entire population watching the show. That's a simple way of explaining what is a complicated, extensive process. Nielsen relies mainly on information collected from TV set meters that it installs, and then combines this information with huge databases of the programs that appear on each TV station and cable channel.
Anyone else see the problem with this?
How unfair. It would have been like electing the president based on the polls taken by ABC of the people who had just actually voted.
So this sample population is then assigned and they believe that according to the 1,000,000 people they average for a ratings point that that is everyone watching.
Wow, are they naive. I really think this system needs to be rethought. Not that it wouldn't cost money, but don't we have the capabiolity now to realistically monitor whatever you watch period? It really isn't an invasion of privacy I am discussing here. Its open access tv.
Nielsen could also make a mint by adding to EACH TV sold in the US a version of the Nielsen sstem that works on satelite feeds or something and then charge a hell of a lot more money for their statistics because they will be 1000% accurate.
It's like the save our shows. Thousands of people write in saying they love a show, please don't cancel it. Freaks and Geeks is an excellent example.
Of course, I doubt many of the people would have had to write if we all had had Nielsen boxes.
Adam