Tired of Nielsen Ratings, CW Is Developing Its Own Measurement System

[Brian Damage]

The CW has had enough of a Nielsen ratings system that the broadcast network has been complaining about for years, saying it undercount’s CW’s young viewers. TheWrap reports that the network has decided to do something about it by developing its own system of measurement.

The measurement system was just one of the news items to surface during today’s upfront presentation by the CW. Another one is CWD, an online initiative that will offer game shows, comedies and animation, along with other content.

“One of its features will allow viewers to choose the outcome of a situation, choose-your-own adventure style. Viewers might decide whether a character kisses someone or storms out of the room, for example,” TheWrap reports.

CW is keeping details about the new measurement system close to its vest, but CW President Mark Pedowitz said it will measure who’s watching online along with the real-time audience for the broadcast network.

Pedowitz reportedly said CW is working independently on the system, not with other networks. In contrast to the industry standard of targeting viewers 18-49, CW aims for the 18-34 demo.

The story adds: “Asked if he hoped the new system would become an industry standard, Pedowitz said, ‘I think everybody has to make their own choice. I have no idea. ... We may just be a very different network from everyone else.’"

http://www.thewrap.com/tv/article/cw...gramming-40396

[Mr. Television]

We may just be a very different network from everyone else.’"

That says it all.

[robyrob]

...and surprisingly - by sheer coincidence of course - in this new system all of their shows are TOP TEN HIT SHOWS!!! :balloon:

[MrCleveland]

Is The CW better when it was UPN and The WB or worse?

[Jaqui-Michel]

So now we're measuring vapidity?

[EmoJoe]

Originally Posted by MrCleveland

Is The CW better when it was UPN and The WB or worse?

I'm pretty sure its worse off. There were times in its Buffy days when the WB was actually legitimate competition to the networks. That's not really true of the CW.

[gidgetgrape]

Originally Posted by MrCleveland

Is The CW better when it was UPN and The WB or worse?

It's worst to me. But they've been dead to me ever since they cancelled "Everwood."

[Jericho-79]

The CW can't score in the Nielsen ratings, so I guess it's proper for them to come up with their own rating pattern.

[ajgenard]

I'm going to laugh my arse off when they spend all this time and money developing this system and the first numbers come in - only they fair EVEN WORSE in the ratings.

[FanofRetroTV]

That's the sprit, if the system shows you the truth, come up with a new system.

[AB]

I've always wondered just how accurate the Nielsens really are. You would think in all the years we've been watching tv that someone I know would have been a participant in the Nielsens survey but that hasn't happened. Maybe someone should come up with a different version of it. Having an individual network like the CW developing one would be extremely biased though.

[Ant-Lox]

I have done the Nielson survey twice, it's neat. I was a teen when I got them, and I watched about 10 hours of wrestling at the time, so that's what I filled in. I wonder if it's still the same system of filling out the booklet, of if the participants have an actual Cable box or Nielson TV. You always hear the term "Nielson Box" but I don't know if that is correct.