TV ratings are influenced by the number of viewers. A larger audience means there will be more commercials. However, the audience does not guarantee the quality or quantity of a show. There are numerous other factors to consider when judging a television program, including the genre of the show, its rating, and the quality of the presentation.
Nielsen is a leader in television audience measurement and statistical sampling. Nielsen measures TV viewing habits using panels of panelists that include households. This information is shared with television networks and advertisers. For example, they can determine when is the best time to broadcast a new program. They can also track how often and for how long a show has been watched.
Nielsen uses statistical sampling in order to estimate its audience. It does not attempt to estimate how many viewers are using every digital antenna and cable box in the country. It uses a representative sample, which is usually a group consisting of approximately 20,000 households. Sometimes, special tests are performed to confirm its accuracy.
While viewers are the best way to launch a television program, it is not as important as the number spent on advertising. This is because a higher rating gives a network a better chance of recouping their investment in the programming. Higher ratings mean more ad revenue. Producing a show with a good rating is the best way to get in the door.
One example is The Big Bang Theory. TBS's production company makes a lot off this sitcom. Other shows that have been successful include ABC's The Office and Fox's Felicity.
Other notable examples include the NCAA gymnastics championships, which have reached a new viewership high. Although this is a modest accomplishment, NBC's Sunday shows are among the most watched prime-time programming for women between 18 and 34. NBC's streak of six games with fewer viewers than one million was despite the popularity and appeal of hockey and basketball.
It is clear that television is a popular medium of entertainment. There are approximately 121 million households in America with TVs. Nielsen says that about 60% of broadcast viewers are women. Their purchasing power makes up more than half of all consumer purchases. To that end, networks are on the lookout for shows that will give them a bump in the ratings department.
As in every other industry, there's fierce competition for viewers. Unfortunately, there are some shows that have misled their audiences. The Wild-Blues saw its ratings rise from 0.43 to 0.41. On the other hand, ABC's Hockey Saturday, which has been going on for the past seven seasons, has seen its numbers rise to a record high.