Audience measurement is an ever-growing important factorin TV programming decisions as competition grows more intense and the audiencehas more and more video options from which to choose While the Nielsen boxes gives broadcasters informationabout the national TV audience, local TV stations also need ratings datato set the cost of advertising time. Since there are 250 TV markets in the U.S. with thousands of TV stations, it is too costly to gather daily ratings reports. So for 30 days, we are treated to extraordinary events on our favorite sitcoms,soap operas and dramatic programs. Networks schedule TV premiers of blockbuster films. Mini-series with provocative themes are heavily promoted.
Newscasts promise multi-part series on teen drinking, plastic surgery, and Internet pornography.
Talk shows feature hot button topics with plenty of screaming and emotion. She's My Lover. Prince William is 13. Oprah Winfrey carried a hidden camera while she went grocery shopping to see how the public responded to her showing up at a local supermarket. Colorado Action News Team looked into the cleanliness of public bathrooms.