Trying to understand television ratings

My friend, TexasBlondie, asked a good question. One that I know lots of you also have about the current tv ratings system. It is too confusing.

We've discussed the Nielsen ratings a great deal over the past few months. Most of us never worried much about the system, until we fell for Moonlight. :) Now, the way viewers are tabulated is very important to us.

TB's question : Hi Kandye - TexasBlondie here... do you know if having every television on your house makes a difference in the ratings? I am usually home on Fridays by myself and I had every turned to Moonlight - I have 4 TV's in my house....

Thanks, TexasBlondie! Moonlight fans are dedicated & marvelous... willing to do anything for our show. Woo Woo!

Unless you have a Nielsen box or take their survey, you are not counted by them. *sigh* Of all the people I talk to online & off, NONE are Nielsen families. Do you know anyone with their meter? Who are these elusive folks? If you are an expert in this area, I hope you will leave comments to help us to better understand.

http://www.nielsen.com

One of the things we have been doing for quite some time is writing directly to CBS to say "I'm a loyal Moonlight viewer but I don't count in the Nielsen ratings you use." Letting them know how often we watch the show... on tv, online, DVR, Amazon, TIVO, iTunes. I have gotten tons of enthusiastic messages from you about this. You have jumped on this idea. I can only imagine the avalanche of postcards, emails & feedbacks they are receiving. YEA!

International Moonlight fans have really taken to this campaign, since their viewing definitely does not effect the Nielsen ratings. Write a quick email saying that you are from Canada, France, Brazil, Ireland, Australia, England, Italy, the Middle East, etc along with your viewing stats.

I knew I could depend on you :) Please, keep sending those messages. This is our own ratings system.

Be heard as a Moonlight viewer!

CBS contact info........

Feedback Form ~
http://www.cbs.com/info/user_services/fb_global_form.shtml

Nina Tassler
President CBS Entertainment
7800 Beverly Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90036-2112

Email and call CBS' Audience Services department
audsvcs@cbs.com
Phone # ( 212 ) 975-3247