Changes to the Nielsen ratings?

[bbennett]

This is an interesting article from Variety on possible changes to the Nielsen ratings. chanel19 and I were just discussing this yesterday - wondering how network television will have to evolve, as more and more people record to TiVo and DVRs to watch after airing dates. Variety says this:

CBS exec veep-chief research officer Dave Poltrack said that he's

Comments

[doctoraicha]

My TV is on all the time when I am home. So, I watch a lot of TV. However, I do not watch any dramas or comedies or any shows on Fox, ABC, NBC, CBS, the WB, UPN, or HBO. I don't record or TiVo any of it, because I hate messing with the VCR and I don't have a TiVo. Commercials are on, but I can't say I'm watching them. I'm watching a show about the Black Plague right now. :D

[bbennett]

I grew up in a house where the tv was left on all the time (and at high volume), regardless of if the watchee was in the room or not, and it made me nuts - even when I'm home now I'm constantly turning off sets left on by my brother/mother. That said, I suspect that if I had tv I'd find myself watching the same shows that you do - the Black Plague thing sounds interesting. What channels do you mostly watch?

[doctoraicha]

History, History International, Discovery, A&E, HGTV, Discovery Times, Science Channel, and their ilk. I love history shows and shows about unsolved real-life crime. Also, Murder she wrote and anything about Ghosts.

[gnomi]

A. Do you have a television/television reception?

Yup.

B: How many hours a week do you watch?

Depends on the time of year and the overall television season. Right now, we're watching (well, recording; more below) about 10-12 hours a week.

C: What percentage of programs do you estimate that you watch 'not live' (i.e. from TiVo/recording/other means)?

98. We TiVo almost everything we watch. And we end up TiVoing stuff we then end up deleting unwatched (or after watching the first 5 minutes and deciding we're not interested).

D: Do you skip commercials? (I tend to just let them play myself, in part because I read that Studio 60 is a big draw for higher income earners and I'm nosy to see what commercials air :)

We skip most commercials. If we're skipping and we see something we're interested in (such as a movie trailer), we'll rewind, watch that specific commercial, and then continue fast-forwarding.

[bbennett]

TiVo really does sound intriguing - I was up at Dia's one weekend and was fascinated with how it records things it thinks she might like (and I gave her crap that it recorded "MacGyver" for her). If I get cable, I think I'll have to get a TiVo along with it.

[dianora2]

I don't let it choose things for me anymore, I don't have the room. Heh. Anyhoo, I TiVo many things and I always skip the commercials. Ssssh, don't tell the advertisers. Although, there have been occasions where I've rewound to actually watch a commercial because I was curious about it for some reason.

[chanel19]

A. Do you have a television/television reception?

I have a 50" TV, but no reception. We Netflix everything and play video games.

B: How many hours a week do you watch?

4 to 6

C: What percentage of programs do you estimate that you watch 'not live' (i.e. from TiVo/recording/other means)?

100%

D: Do you skip commercials?

Since everything arrives on DVD, I don't have commercials, but I do usually skip the commercials for other shows that may be on the DVD.

[bbennett]

You have a great TV. I'm thinking of ditching the one I have for a projector that I can just haul out when I want to watch (although "thinking" is all I'm doing now, as they're going to have to drop in price first).

[ex_seviet]

A. I have got a television but no reception whatsoever -- I never bothered and I managed to live five years like this, so... ;p

B. I watch about one or two hours a week but, obviously, that's not on my television.

C. Um, 95%? I buy a lot of DVDs, and some friends are nice enough to burn DVDs for certain shows which aren't available yet on DVD in my region (my Internet provider sucks big time and I can't download too much stuff).

D. Well, I rarely have to be subjected to comemrcials (yay!). However, when I am watching TV live, I just take the chance to make coffee or whatever.

[bbennett]

I love your icon.

I'm surprised at the people who have television but no reception - I talked to two other people this week in the same situation.

And I don't know if you're already watching/have any interest in it, but I may be able to figure out how to get my computer to provide you with copies of Studio 60, if you want - just let me know. :)

[ex_seviet]

Thanks!

Yeah, I was tempted to subscribe a calble service a couple of times but I couldn't be arsed to do it. The only things I miss are documentaries (history, geography), which I am not likely to watch on DVD. The news drive me nuts (the sensationalism, mostly) and I rather read them on the newspaper or online. As for sports, I will simply watch big matches with a group of people.

I haven't seen a single episode yet, actually. :) Would love to! Thanks so much!

[zsenya]

A. Do you have a television/television reception?
***I do have a television, and I get about six stations. ABC, NBC, CBS, UPN, Fox, and Maryland Public Television

B: How many hours a week do you watch?
***About 0-3. Lately I haven't even been watching a lot of DVD/videos although I did watch three episodes of the Wire last night.

C: What percentage of programs do you estimate that you watch 'not live' (i.e. from TiVo/recording/other means)?
***95%

D: Do you skip commercials?
***N/A because I hardly ever watch. But I usually find something to keep me busy during commercials...

[bbennett]

I've heard the Wire is really good - I assume you like? I need to Netflix that.