Is sweeps still a thing? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

opus · 05-02-2023, 01:37 PM

If I remember right, it was in November, February and May. Does it still exist in any form nowadays?

I believe here I don't have to bother explaining what the concept of sweeps is/was.

icecream · 05-02-2023, 01:40 PM

Yes, sweeps still exists in those months.

Chocolate Moose · 05-02-2023, 01:46 PM

i don't hear about it. i wonder why.

Bonniegirl · 05-02-2023, 02:52 PM

What is sweeps??

brianjohnson1984 · 05-02-2023, 09:16 PM

Not a sitcom, but "Wheel of Fortune" is doing a couple of special weeks the next few (XL Week this week and Fan Favorites the next) and "Jeopardy" will often air their tournaments in Sweeps Month(s). So I'd say it's definitely still a thing. May not be as noticeable, as all of TV viewing in general continues to dwindle.

opus · 05-02-2023, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonniegirl

What is sweeps??

>>>Sweeps are time periods when television stations/networks typically schedule programming designed to attract a larger than usual audience.<<<

https://frankwbaker.com/mlc/math-med...ual%20audience.

opus · 05-05-2023, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brianjohnson1984

Not a sitcom, but "Wheel of Fortune" is doing a couple of special weeks the next few (XL Week this week and Fan Favorites the next) and "Jeopardy" will often air their tournaments in Sweeps Month(s). So I'd say it's definitely still a thing. May not be as noticeable, as all of TV viewing in general continues to dwindle.

The upcoming Jeopardy Masters Tournament starting in prime time next week fits that.

franciis · 05-21-2025, 06:17 PM

Three or was it four months..of the yr/for the all time super important ratings periods ? May ,November and another month (?)..where those months consider the all time important ratings periods that networks would use for yrs and yrs to determine the set prices for tv ads ? Shows would have big cliffhangers,huge suprises,murder mysteries,hurricanes or some severe weather plots in shows...characters would leave day or and evening/primetime (written off) shows ? or new ones would arrive,big budgets for casts /shows?

TJ · 05-22-2025, 02:06 PM

You don't hear much about sweeps anymore. They aren't really promoted locally like they used to be. It's more of a year round thing in recent years. Some networks air the season finales in April.

AI Overview
Sweeps periods, where Nielsen measures TV viewership, occur four times a year: February, May, July, and November. In 2025, the sweeps periods are January 30 to February 26, April 24 to May 22, July 3 to July 30, and October 30 to November 26.

Sweeps periods are used to determine advertising rates for television stations and networks based on audience viewership. During these periods, networks often schedule special programming to attract viewers and increase ratings.

https://www.voices.com/blog/sweeps-week/

Do sweeps months still exist?
The standard broadcast month ends on the last Sunday of the calendar month. Nielsen retired the diary methodology in July 2018, and all Nielsen local markets are now measured year round. As a result, there are no longer only special “Sweeps” months.

opus · 05-24-2025, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by opus

The upcoming Jeopardy Masters Tournament starting in prime time next week fits that.

This year it bleeds into June.

05-02-2023, 01:37 PM	#1
opus VB Forum Superstar Join Date: May 16, 2015 Location: VB Galaxy Posts: 32,053	Is sweeps still a thing? If I remember right, it was in November, February and May. Does it still exist in any form nowadays? I believe here I don't have to bother explaining what the concept of sweeps is/was.

05-02-2023, 01:40 PM	#2
icecream Cat-tastic and Whiskerlicious Forum Celebrity Join Date: Sep 01, 2006 Location: The Catacombs Posts: 20,603	Yes, sweeps still exists in those months.
	__________________ Top 200 TV Shows https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...14#post6225214 Top 150 Movies https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...84#post6175384 Top 1100 Scripted TV Characters https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...d.php?t=493306 Top Rookie TV Shows by Calendar Year https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...d.php?t=365017 Top Movies by Calendar Year https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...d.php?t=473533

05-02-2023, 01:46 PM	#3
Chocolate Moose Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 21, 2007 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 4,881	i don't hear about it. i wonder why.
	__________________ How long a minute is, depends on what side of the bathroom door you're on.

05-21-2025, 06:17 PM	#8
franciis Member Frequent Poster Join Date: May 09, 2021 Location: tn Posts: 466	Did Sweeps months (May,etc /ratings) stop on networks ? Three or was it four months..of the yr/for the all time super important ratings periods ? May ,November and another month (?)..where those months consider the all time important ratings periods that networks would use for yrs and yrs to determine the set prices for tv ads ? Shows would have big cliffhangers,huge suprises,murder mysteries,hurricanes or some severe weather plots in shows...characters would leave day or and evening/primetime (written off) shows ? or new ones would arrive,big budgets for casts /shows?
	Last edited by franciis; 05-21-2025 at 06:22 PM. Reason: spelling

05-02-2023, 02:52 PM	#4
Bonniegirl AKA Hazel Horvath Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 10, 2014 Posts: 65,398	What is sweeps??

05-02-2023, 09:16 PM	#5
brianjohnson1984 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jun 09, 2012 Location: United States Posts: 49	Not a sitcom, but "Wheel of Fortune" is doing a couple of special weeks the next few (XL Week this week and Fan Favorites the next) and "Jeopardy" will often air their tournaments in Sweeps Month(s). So I'd say it's definitely still a thing. May not be as noticeable, as all of TV viewing in general continues to dwindle.

05-22-2025, 02:06 PM	#9
TJ Site Owner Administrator Forum Star Join Date: Feb 03, 2000 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 10,648	You don't hear much about sweeps anymore. They aren't really promoted locally like they used to be. It's more of a year round thing in recent years. Some networks air the season finales in April. AI Overview Sweeps periods, where Nielsen measures TV viewership, occur four times a year: February, May, July, and November. In 2025, the sweeps periods are January 30 to February 26, April 24 to May 22, July 3 to July 30, and October 30 to November 26. Sweeps periods are used to determine advertising rates for television stations and networks based on audience viewership. During these periods, networks often schedule special programming to attract viewers and increase ratings. https://www.voices.com/blog/sweeps-week/ Do sweeps months still exist? The standard broadcast month ends on the last Sunday of the calendar month. Nielsen retired the diary methodology in July 2018, and all Nielsen local markets are now measured year round. As a result, there are no longer only special “Sweeps” months.