I hate the Nielsens. I hate them, I hate Arbitron, and I hate Scarborough. I worked in radio for two years and I can tell you that everyone in the industry hated them because they were inaccurate, complete pieces of fiction whose data could be twisted any which way to show to buyers.
Advertise with us, we’re the #1 station in town! [sub]with women 64+ who have gone on a cruise through a landlocked country and bought a pit bull in the last year[/sub].
No one likes these rating systems…but they all tolerate them because it’s the best data available. They tolerate them, but try their damndest to influence them.
Ever notice how many radio station ads play on TV on a Thursday night? That’s because people fill out their diaries on Friday and reminding people about their station helps. Did the diary writers actually listen? Who cares? They wrote in that they did, that’s good enough, right? Fiction promotes fiction promotes fiction and that seems to make or break shows. Make or break stations. The charade is nothing short of disgusting.
So when they called tonight and asked if I wanted to be a Nielsen family, I of course said yes. I, all by my lonesome, have the awesome responsibility of keeping a show on the air.
I estimate there are around 10,000 other diary writers across the country for this upcoming non-sweeps week. That means I’ll be .001 of that number you see in USA Today on Wednesdays.
My one vote is the voice of 30,000 Americans. My whim be their scheduling next Fall. So let it be written, so let it be done.
I think I’m going to write Firefly into Friday’s slot just to spite them.
BTW, I was once a Neilson “Family” and what I wrote in that book was almost complete fiction. I just wrote down shows that I wanted to support, even if I did not really watch them.
You got paid? Jeeminy on a hominy biscuit, they done promised me nothin!
Stoid, I’ve never actually seen even one episode of Buffy. But I’ve heard it’s a good show so yeah, I think Buffy’s getting a rating’s boost next week.
I say screw’m all and tell them you watch C-Span and The Weather Channel all day long. If you must diversify throw in The Cartoon Network and some Public Access shows as well.
Does Nielson allow for any reading time? If so make sure you always read during prime time.
I thought that there was some kind of Recordo-Box involved that monitored what you watch. Huh. Shows what I know!
My family was an Arbitron Family a couple of years back when we lived in a community with exactly two radio stations: an AM and an FM. That was an exciting diary I mailed back, I tell you what! (And they paid us a buck each.)
About a dozen years or so Nielsen called my work number to ask me if I wanted to be Nielsen “family”. I explained that they’d contacted me at my work number, but otherwise I’d be glad to and they said (I paraphrase): “Nope. Sorry. It don’t work that way.” Apparently they only want exactly who some random-phone-number generator says they want.
We’ll I have 2 phone lines in my house, so maybe I’m doubling my chances. I’d love to be a Neilsen family. You would all be watching Twilight Zone reruns, Simpsons, and the Real World.
We’re all glad to know that you (and the 30 other people living in your commune and for whom you’ll be speaking) enjoy watching West Wing, 24, Jim Lehrer news (or some other ‘real’ news) and strictly avoid all tabloid tv.
