Nielsen TV Ratings & You: English Version

Who is NielsenTV Ratings? What does NielsenTV Ratings do?
We're glad you asked! NielsenTV Ratings, also known as Nielsen Media Research, was established in 1950. Located in Florida, NielsenTV Ratings is best known as the leader in television research. NielsenTV Ratings gathers counts of adults, teenagers, and children watching or listening to TV programs across the U.S. We use that viewing information to prepare reports that are used by the broadcast and cable TV networks and your local TV stations.

How will I benefit by taking part in the NielsenTV Ratings? What do I get out of it?
Our sampling department chose your home to represent your community in our TV ratings panel. This is a special opportunity for you. Many people wonder why they never get asked to participate in the NielsenTV Ratings -and in fact, being chosen is quite rare. By taking part, this is your chance to have your viewing included in the official television audience report.

Is it really important to take part in the NielsenTV Ratings?
Yes! Because your home was statistically selected, it is very important for you to participate in the NielsenTV Ratings. There really is no substitute for your home. No other home watches or listens to exactly what your home watches or listens to on TV. It doesn't matter if you watch or listen to TV just a little or a lot. In fact, if we only used homes that viewed a lot, our TV information would be misleading.

How did you pick my home?
Your home was specially selected. Since we can't measure everyone's viewing, we use statistical sampling to make sure that everyone has an equal chance of being selected to participate in the ratings. This way, the sample represents all homes in the United States.

Is the information that I give to the NielsenTV Ratings representative kept confidential? Will NielsenTV keep what I watch on TV confidential?
Yes. As a professional research company, NielsenTV Ratings keeps all information from your home strictly confidential. We will not reveal to anyone any information given to us. And, we ask you not to tell anyone in the television industry that your home is included in the panel. We combine the information from each home with that from other homes across the U.S. to produce TV viewing data used in the NielsenTV Ratings reports. The way we combine the information, no one home can ever be identified - but the information from each home becomes an essential part of the report.

Who uses the NielsenTV Ratings reports?
The NielsenTV Ratings reports are used by the TV stations, TV networks, cable channels, advertisers and others in the TV industry to learn more about the viewing of TV programs in homes across the U.S. The information is also studied by students in colleges and universities as one of the primary indicators of how the American public gets its information and entertainment.

Will NielsenTV Ratings give out or sell my name, address or phone number?
No. Confidentiality is very important to us as it is to you. We pledge to never give out, sell or reveal any name, address, phone number or any information about any home in our research. We appreciate and value the cooperation of the homes that take part in our research and want to keep your trust.

What happens if I want to stop being in the NielsenTV Ratings? Will I be under any obligation?
If for any reason your home decides not to continue, you are under no obligation.

Will it cost me anything to participate in the NielsenTV Ratings? Will anyone try to sell me anything?
No. NielsenTV Ratings is a research company and we don't sell anything to the public. Participating in the NielsenTV Ratings will never cost you anything. No one will ever try to sell you anything because you take part. In appreciation for your participation in the NielsenTV Ratings, you will receive periodic thank you checks from us. Also, NielsenTV Ratings will pay one half of the maintenance cost for any television or any VCR during the time it is included in the NielsenTV Ratings panel.

Home | Español | Feedback