# TV ratings today **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** tv-shows-scripted\ **Created:** [April 10, 2021, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-ratings-today/939766 "2021-04-10T21:12:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![stosh1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@stosh1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stosh1)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2021, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-ratings-today/939766/1 "2021-04-10T21:12:54Z")
I watched another critically acclaimed show that sucked. I got to thinking, now days, you can watch TV on damn near everything. How do they come up with ratings? ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2021, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-ratings-today/939766/2 "2021-04-10T23:47:16Z")
Ratings only apply to broadcast networks. It’s done via electronic monitoring these days. Ratings are used to set as rated. That’s less of an issue with subscription services, though they can monitor how many are watching each show. ---
**Author:** ![stosh1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@stosh1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stosh1)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-ratings-today/939766/3 "2021-04-11T00:48:58Z")
In other words…we are supposed to take their word for it? ---
**Author:** ![snoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@snoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snoe)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-ratings-today/939766/4 "2021-04-11T00:54:46Z")
> [@stosh1](#): > > ratings Ratings as in Nielsen ratings (number of viewers) or in terms of four stars out of five (quality)? Your mention of “critically acclaimed” seems to imply the latter but it’s unclear. ---
**Author:** ![stosh1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@stosh1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stosh1)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-ratings-today/939766/5 "2021-04-11T01:24:46Z")
In a country this big, you can always find someone who likes the show. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-ratings-today/939766/6 "2021-04-11T01:32:24Z")
Damn, I got to clean my glasses: I initially read that first sentence as “I watched another criminally acclaimed show …” But, in the context, I guess that works. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-ratings-today/939766/7 "2021-04-11T02:04:25Z")
> [@stosh1](#): > > In other words…we are supposed to take their word for it? Who’s word would you prefer to take for it? What do you plan to do with the numbers? ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-ratings-today/939766/8 "2021-04-11T02:12:06Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > Ratings only apply to broadcast networks. This is not, in fact, the case. Nielsen has measured all “live content” (broadcast, cable, and satellite) for years, and they are starting to measure on-demand and streaming services, as well. From [here](https://www.nielsen.com/us/en/about-us/panels/ratings-and-families/), on the Nielsen web site: > [@](#): > > WHAT ARE YOU MEASURING TO GET NIELSEN RATINGS? > > Basically, anything that comes through your TV or radio. So depending on where you live, we measure live content, as well as on-demand, DVR and streaming services. And, from [here](https://www.nielsen.com/us/en/solutions/measurement/television/), also on their web site: > [@](#): > > To measure TV audiences and derive our viewing metrics (i.e., ratings, reach, frequency), we use proprietary electronic measuring devices and software to capture what content, network or station viewers are watching on each TV and digital devices in the homes of our [Nielsen Families](https://www.nielsen.com/us/en/about-us/panels/ratings-and-families/). In total, we measure hundreds of networks, hundreds of stations, thousands of programs and millions of viewers. In the U.S., electronic measuring devices and millions of cable/satellite boxes are used to provide [local market-level](https://www.nielsen.com/us/en/solutions/capabilities/local-tv-measurement/) viewing behaviors, enabling the media marketplace to gain a granular view of TV audiences. > > Our measuring technology and devices capture which networks/stations viewers are tuned into on each television set in the home. Our meters and technology can also identify who is watching, as well as when, including time-shifted viewing—the viewing of recorded programming via DVR or [video on demand](https://www.nielsen.com/us/en/solutions/capabilities/vod-content-ratings/). Nielsen also captures viewing that occurs on other screens, such as mobile, tablet, and computer—delivering to network clients a view of their total audience. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-ratings-today/939766/9 "2021-04-11T02:25:12Z")
High ratings does not mean critically acclaimed. I don’t know what you are asking. ---
**Author:** ![Oredigger77](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oredigger77/32/3181_2.png) [@Oredigger77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oredigger77)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-ratings-today/939766/10 "2021-04-11T02:32:41Z")
Outside of Neilson many of the cable companies are also tracking what you’re watching. They sell this data to shows which can then use it to get more money from advertisers. This data is more exact then the Neilson data but it is of a smaller population and at least for my show the network didn’t find it worth while to subscribe to all of the different cable companies and just used Neilson. ---
**Author:** ![stosh1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@stosh1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stosh1)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-ratings-today/939766/11 "2021-04-11T11:40:32Z")
Wow, what bullshit !!! ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-ratings-today/939766/12 "2021-04-11T15:45:24Z")
Ummm, OK. I work in the advertising industry. You asked about how ratings are done. I’ve provided the explanation. Why do you think it’s bullshit? ---
**Author:** ![stosh1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@stosh1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stosh1)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-ratings-today/939766/13 "2021-04-11T16:30:13Z")
Because, your part of the media bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-ratings-today/939766/14 "2021-04-11T16:32:25Z")
OK, then. Glad we sorted that out. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-ratings-today/939766/15 "2021-04-11T16:37:44Z")
**Warning** for **stosh1** ; this is inappropriate for The Café. Extremely hostile for someone who politely answered your Op. Looking at more than one post for this warning. > [@stosh1](#): > > Wow, what bullshit !!!