Quote:
Originally Posted by DamianJ
That just isn't true. Your understanding of how ratings work is wrong, at best. But carry on telling people to watch Entourage live if you like. If you want to learn how it works: http://www.howstuffworks.com/question433.htm |
How is what is on that page different from what I have said? I said they use the Neilson system. That page describes how the Neilson system works. They also use some information they get directly from cable companies. Don't believe me? Do a little research.
Here is an article about some markets getting something called people meter.
http://cbs13.com/goodquestion/sweeps....2.848436.html
These guys seem to also say that companies like Charter Cable are providing information on ratings.
http://www.ehow.com/facts_5318571_tv...alculated.html
As for online views, one of the main reasons that many networks are now showing their shows online is so people can watch them and they can still sell advertising on them. They would rather you see a few minutes of ads during a show you watch online then have you download a commercial free version of the show or Tivo it and fast forward past the commercials..
With on-demand services becoming more and more popular many networks are also taking those numbers into consideration.
As for Entourage, it is on HBO which is a paid service. They don't care as much about "overnight" ratings because they air the show multiple times during each week. I read recently that True Blood had about 10 times as many people watching it on-demand as they did watching the new episodes live. NBC is in the advertising delivery business. HBO is in the content subscription business. It is two different things.
Let me revise my statement. If you like a show and that show is on broadcast TV or on a basic cable channel, watching it live when it airs in the best way to support it. If they have it on-demand or on their website watching it there is the next best way to support it. DVR/Tivoing it or downloading it is basically worthless when it comes to ratings.