Well, that's odd.

[minxy]

Apparently, flist, I am to become a Nielson Family. Even ignoring any Stargate AUs with characters named Nielson that might come to mind, this development is fairly hilarious. Presently, I don't own a television (although there is one upstairs), nor do I get cable.

So, I have two questions for you, oh flist:

Question 1: can I be a Nielson Family (TM) if I only watch T.V. over the internets? Will they insist on setting up a box on my physical (not plugged in) T.V. or can I just report that Sanctuary was awesome this week or whatever?

Question 2: if I become a Nielson Family, flist, what should I boost? What shows are awesome that I would wish to support, if I watched T.V. like a normal person? What awesome shows are on in the US and NEED MY SUPPORT??? Is Merlin showing on US channels? Is Being Human? Hell, is Sanctuary? I don't even know these things! I DIDN'T KNOW THERE WAS A TEST TODAY AHHHHHHHHH.

...

(hoooooomg, I don't know if I can handle this kind of pressure.)

Comments

[cesy]

What is a Nielson family?

[minxy]

Sorry for the holiday delay!

The Nielson ratings are the numbers by which T.V. execs rate shows in the U.S. If something showed well, it had a high Nielson rating, etc. Shows get canned due to low ratings.

Ratings are determined by surveying the viewing habits of semi-randomly selected households for short periods of time; they do try to get a good cross-section of the populace, but I think my lack of cable is probably going to tank my chances of reporting all sci-fi shows of note.

Alas.

[archersangel]

for question 1; i have no idea if nielson monitors on-line vewing.

for question 2; sanctuary is on sci-fi sy-fy. & i think merlin is on bbc america. being human might be on there too.
as for what shows might need your support; i don't watch much tv any more, but i think that castle might need a boost.

[destina.livejournal.com]

When I was a Nielsen family of one, I kept a log, and had no box. But that was before DVRs and so forth; I have a feeling that is no longer how things are done in the land of technology. *g*

[barkley.livejournal.com]

Friday Night Lights! Best show on TV!

Southland needs your support! (And Bones, because it is my happy place and it doesn't need your support, and some people don't love what it's doing, but I love it.)

[aurora-novarum.livejournal.com]

I was a Nielsen family for a couple weeks during sweeps a year or two ago. It was just keeping a paper log still. Are you just doing it breifly? If it's a more permanent thing, then yes, they hook up the box.

[or-mabinogi.livejournal.com]

When I had a chance to do Nielsen they only sent me a booklet in which I could write down what I watched and when, and whether I recorded it to watch later or if what I watched was a recording. Obviously not as instantly gratifying for them to effect initial ratings but possibly a demographic influence. What sucked, though, was that most of the shows I watched were at the time on hiatus.

NBC only showed season 1 of Merlin and had decided not to order season 2 since it didn't do as well here in the states. At least, that was the last I heard of it. Being Human isn't currently running on BBCA even in reruns and series 2 doesn't start until January 10th but only in the UK. No telling when it will be on this side of the pond. Sanctuary is indeed still on. This past Friday was an episode with Michael Shanks guest starring. I need to watch that one. I think there's one on this Friday but after that it may go into hiatus.

The shows I am watching on regular TV are How I Met Your Mother, The Big Bang Theory, Castle, Heroes (still), NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles, and The Mentalist. Supernatural is due back in January I think. FlashForward and V aren't due back until March. And sadly whenever Eastwick finishes it will be the last, which makes me very sad.

[telepresence.livejournal.com]

According to TV By The Numbers, shows that are in danger of cancellation (that I think are worth keeping alive, if that's worth anything) are: Castle, Better Off Ted, Parks and Recreation, Community, and The Good Wife.

[kaleecat]

You're more likely to be doing the paper diary rather than the set-top box, unless you're within or next to a major metro area. I think I got two phone calls before they mailed the diary, the first to see if I was willing, the second to set things up and explain it. I would think that they would ask you if you have a tv though. :-D

4 years ago the paper diary had just added a column for DVR playback. I have no idea if the diary includes an online column. However, I do recall there was a section for listing TV watching via an alternate means that is not in the grid--so that would be your best bet.

If you do end up doing this via a diary, your best bet is to use the alternate viewing box to indicate what you watch, where online & when. The when should be within 5 days of the original broadcast episode.

I think BBC-America is showing Being Human, but not sure. Sanctuary is still on Fridays but not sure where it is in the cycle. I heartily applaud any support for ABC's Castle, with the yummy Nathan Fillion, on Monday nights.


I'm sad I can't be a Nielson family again. You get contacted via your phone listing, and I don't have a landline. (my only hope is that my parents get tapped while I'm visiting). I'm geeky and TV obsessed enough that when I got to do it I was excited and happy to do the paper diary for as long as they wanted even if it is fiddly.

[tenaya.livejournal.com]

Castle on Monday nights, please.

Maybe they will want to know what you watch via downloads.

I am/was a Nielson family through Tivo. I just okayed the transfer of info from tivo back to them. I have no idea if I'm still being watched. Dead easy.