Nielsen ratings

Nielsen ratings are statistical estimates of U.S. television audiences, produced from measured viewing data and used to compare programs and support advertising decisions.

Nielsen National TV Panel: A recruited sample of U.S. households whose television viewing Nielsen measures to estimate national audiences. Its measured households provide the national sample behind television ratings.
Television advertising: Paid promotional messages delivered through television programming or television-connected services. Audience estimates help set the price and target of television ad placements.
Nielsen ratings controversy: Public disputes over the accuracy, representativeness, and commercial influence of Nielsen audience estimates. Criticism focuses on whether ratings capture viewing fairly and reliably.
Television ratings system: The institutions, methods, and commercial practices used to quantify television audiences. Nielsen ratings became a leading component of this broader system.
People meter: An electronic device that records which household members are watching television and what they watch. People meters help distinguish who is watching, not only which television is on.
Cost per mille: An advertising pricing measure expressing the cost of reaching one thousand impressions. Advertisers use audience estimates to compare the cost of television campaigns.
Comscore: A media measurement company that provides audience and advertising analytics across digital and television media. It offers competing measurement products and approaches in parts of the U.S. television market.
Television programming: The selection and scheduling of television content for broadcast or distribution. Ratings influence which shows are renewed, moved, or canceled.
Nielsen ratings panel: A selected group of households whose measured behavior represents a larger population in audience research. Panel design determines how measured viewing is expanded into audience estimates.
Upfront (television): An annual period when television networks sell much of their advertising inventory before the season begins. Advertisers use projected audience performance to make advance commitments.

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