There is a new way to calculate how many people watch a show. It used to be just Nielsen boxes, but now those are supplemented with DVR's. From now on if you own a DVR and save a program and watch it within 7 days that is counted towards the ratings. What was discovered when this was all added up this week was that 'Hawaii Five-O' is the most DVR'd show ever. In history. I can't believe it managed to beat the series finale of Lost because people I know all recorded it so they could figure out everything they thought they missed during the first viewing.
Last week, 3.374 million people DVR'd 'Hawaii Five-O'. That does not include the people who watched it live, just the DVR. The previous record was for an episode of The Mentalist but 'Hawaii Five-O' beat it by almost a quarter of a million people.
I like measuring shows based on DVR's. It seems to me that is a much more fair way than estimating what people are watching by a select group of people scattered across the country.
I never understood the Nielsen system (never knew anyone who was in a Nielsen household either). I don't know if you can volunteer or how it's even done. The whole process is somewhat of a mystery to me.
ReplyDeletei dig the show but wish it was on HBO for the cussing factor! Scott Caan in pg13 is not the same after seeing him on Entourage.
ReplyDeleteI have my dvr watch shows all the time (including 5-0). That way my "vote" gets counted even if I don't have time to watch right away.
ReplyDeleteMy grandma was once a Nielsen person. I think she did it for two weeks. Anyway, the whole family told her what to turn the TV to and log into her little book. I remember telling her to put down that she watched 90210 (the original). The system is rigged.
ReplyDeleteMy grandma is the only person I have ever known or heard about being a Nielsen person.
I thought DVR viewers have been counted for awhile. I remember that Dollhouse had a high hit rate vs. actual viewers which was part of the reason it got a second season.
It's a shame they can't figure out the most watched shows for illegally downloaded. That's how I usually watch everything.
ReplyDeleteI DVR all my shows just in case I end up watching something else. Five-O for some reason does not catch my attention even though I used to watch the original.
ReplyDeleteI LOVED 5-0! It was AWESOME> Scott Caan, DDK and Alex O'Laughlin. Will be around for a long time.
ReplyDeletereally? is it a good remake? I'll give it a chance
ReplyDeletePaisley, I was one for two weeks once. And I wrote down all the shows I liked instead of just the ones I had time to watch. :)
ReplyDeleteTOTALLY with your Karmen. The Nielsen system doesnt seem to be very accurate.
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ReplyDeleteWhat about shows that are "On Demand" (Comcast here on the East Coast). I don't have DVR added to my plan but I can watch most shows "On Demand". I hope they count that too.
ReplyDeleteHaven't wanted to watch this show because I think Scott Caan is an entitled douche, but I think the DVR is definitely a good system.
ReplyDeleteMy family occasionally did the Nielsen ratings (the Canadian equivalent) when I was growing up. We just wrote down the names of the shows we watched in a little book and then mailed it in.
Love the show! Yes, I tivo it and everything else I watch. I do not watch anything live.
ReplyDeleteI'm a nielsen person...and I log everything that is watched on our household tv's, whether it's live or dvr'd, into a little booklet. They send a booklet for each working tv in the house. I make everyone in the house either tell me or log when or what they're watching and I mean everything. About 7 years ago it was $20 for 2 weeks now it's a total of $50 for 2 weeks. I've participated for 5 out of the last 7 years, usually during fall sweeps. I enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteRocketQueen, despite him being an entitled douche off-screen, he does a really good job in this show. I have been pleasantly surprised by this series.
ReplyDeleteMy parents were a Nielsen household for a few months several years ago. They quit because they didn't want to fool with it, and at the time didn't watch much tv. They'd be better at it now that they've retired. They might also change the networks' perceptions of what retirees are watching. Today's 60 somethings are pretty pop culture savvy. At least my folks are.
ReplyDeleteWhat if you watch it online? I hope that gets counted. I know a few people that disconnected their cable, but watch their favorite shows on Hulu or the network websites. Surely that will have to count for the show too.
ReplyDeleteGood LORD, its about time they started counting DVR viewing. I really don't know very many people that don't own at least that or Tivo.
ReplyDeleteThat show getting the highest ratings is NUTS!
I always wanted to be a Nielson rater, but was told its very hard to get in. I actually know someone affiliated with the family/company but never really thought to ask about it.
Jackie, if you're watching it on a legal site, like one of the networks or Hulu, it does get counted.
ReplyDeleteI was a Nielson Household twice in 2yrs. I liked it.
ReplyDeleteI watched the premiere of Hawaii Five-O and thought it was terrible. I really wanted to like it because I like Daniel and Grace. But it was cheesy, and entirely too much of it was the main two cop guys bantering "wittily" in the car. Bor. Ing.
ReplyDeleteI also was a Nielsen person for a few weeks in the mid-'90s.
Yeah for DVR viewing being counted! I have two : )
ReplyDeleteI'm not in love with Hawaii Five-O, but I have DVR'd every episode and watch it within 7 days. The pilot wasn't the best episode - to me, it has definitely gotten better.