The number of viewers is the most important aspect of TV ratings. A bigger audience will mean more commercials. However, the audience does not guarantee the quality or quantity of a show. You should also consider the program's rating and its presentation when judging it.
Nielsen is a leading provider of television audience measurement and statistical sampling. It measures television viewing habits through panels of panelists, which include households. This information is shared with television networks and advertisers. For instance, they can determine the best time of day to air a new show. They can also track how often and for how long a show has been watched.
Nielsen uses statistical sampling for its estimates. It does not attempt to estimate how many viewers are using every digital antenna and cable box in the country. Instead, it uses a representative sampling, typically a group of around 20,000 households. It sometimes conducts special tests in order to verify its accuracy.
The number of viewers is an obvious way to get a TV show off the ground. However, it is more important to consider the amount of advertising dollars spent on that show. Because a network can recoup their investment in programming with a higher rating, it is more likely to succeed. Higher ratings mean more ad revenue. You can get your foot in to the door by producing a show with a decent rating.
One example is The Big Bang Theory. It is a sitcom but it generates a lot of revenue for TBS, its production company. Other highly successful shows include ABC’s The Office (Fox), Fox's Felicity (Fox) and UPN's Smackdown (UPN).
Another notable example is the NCAA Gymnastics Championships which reached a new audience high. Although it is a modest feat, NBC's Sunday games rank among the top three prime-time shows among women aged 18 to 34. NBC had six games last year with fewer that one million viewers, despite the popularity basketball and hockey.
There is no doubt that TV is a popular medium for entertainment. In the U.S., there are 121million homes that have TVs. Nielsen estimates that women account for 60% of broadcast viewers. 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.
Competition for viewers is fierce as in any other business. However, there have been a few shows who have done the opposite to their viewers. The Wild-Blues was one of these shows, with its ratings jumping from 0.43 - 0.41. ABC's Hockey Saturday on the other hand has seen record numbers. This show has been in existence for seven consecutive seasons.