Neilsen wants me...

shadowtippy · #1 10-08-2010, 12:36 PM

I got selected to be a Neilsen rater, or whatever they call it. It could be fun for me to "decide" what you, my fellow TBer's get to watch on tv. There are a couple of problems, though.

The first is: I'm going to be contacted via my home phone to finalize the thing. I don't answer that phone. People I care to talk to have my cell number.

The second problem is: I don't watch tv.I'm not being a snob about tv, it's just that I have other things I'd rather be doing. I got tired of paying over priced cable bills to watch a couple of things I like. I don't even have an antenna connected to my set. I watch a dvd once in a while, otherwise, I'd get rid of both sets.

I guess I could fake it and lie about what I view. I'm open to suggestions as to what mindless drivel to say I'm watching. Isn't that the "American way" to make a few easy bucks? I think all it pays is a few bucks.

MatticusMania · #2 10-08-2010, 12:38 PM

Take their money and don't watch anything. Tell them there was nothing interesting on. Nothing at all.

Kwesi · #3 10-08-2010, 12:44 PM

1) Fake it and lie.

2) Profit

I call it the "Two Step Total Win" Guide

MoireBass · #4 10-08-2010, 01:18 PM

You could use your (small) amount of influence to make things slightly better on TV. The medium itself is not the problem, they *could* be broadcasting shows that you (and I) would want to watch instead of the drivel they broadcast now. There seems to be less interesting to watch on network TV now than at any time in my life.

Tell them that you're sick to death of : cop shows, doctor shows, lawyer shows, police procedural shows (CSI, NCIS, etc.), TMZ, and all types of reality shows.

Tell them that you like: intelligently written comedies (30 Rock, Seinfeld, Cheers), PBS NewsHour, Meet the Press, Austin City Limits, Live at Artists Den, things that are different and interesting and not formulaic rehashes of what worked last season. Tell them to try different things, try some innovation occasionally.

At least that's what I'd tell them........

"56 channels and nothing's on" - Bruce Springsteen

Yerf Dog · #5 10-08-2010, 01:20 PM

Tell 'em you'll do it, but you need a new TV. LED. Flatscreen. 65".

spade2you · #6 10-08-2010, 01:29 PM

Pron. Lots of pron.

NickMarinelli · #7 10-08-2010, 04:24 PM

They use meters attached to your set now, so I don't know if you'll be able to fake it. Frankly, with as little tv as you watch I am surprised they chose you. Do they know about your viewing habits?

MatticusMania · #8 10-08-2010, 04:26 PM

Turn the TV to channel 4 and just go do other things. Neilson will think you really like channel 4's programming.

hdracer · #9 10-08-2010, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickMarinelli

They use meters attached to your set now, so I don't know if you'll be able to fake it. Frankly, with as little tv as you watch I am surprised they chose you. Do they know about your viewing habits?

+1 they monitor your viewing.
I thought Harry Nilsson wanted you for his band.

emor · #10 10-08-2010, 04:36 PM

We did this a couple of years ago.
We kept a written log for a couple of weeks and mailed it back to them.

MIJ-VI · #11 10-08-2010, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadowtippy

I got selected to be a Neilsen rater, or whatever they call it. It could be fun for me to "decide" what you, my fellow TBer's get to watch on tv. There are a couple of problems, though.

The first is: I'm going to be contacted via my home phone to finalize the thing. I don't answer that phone. People I care to talk to have my cell number.

The second problem is: I don't watch tv.I'm not being a snob about tv, it's just that I have other things I'd rather be doing. I got tired of paying over priced cable bills to watch a couple of things I like. I don't even have an antenna connected to my set. I watch a dvd once in a while, otherwise, I'd get rid of both sets.

I guess I could fake it and lie about what I view. I'm open to suggestions as to what mindless drivel to say I'm watching. Isn't that the "American way" to make a few easy bucks? I think all it pays is a few bucks.

Since you've decided not to waste your time watching TV, why waste it on this?

http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&so...4069d5e7c42497

If I had been chosen I'd let Nielsen flip their nickels at someone else.

Scott1 · #12 10-15-2010, 06:22 PM

I've been chosen twice. They do not install monitors anymore. You simply get a booklet for every TV you own and are supposed to keep track of what ever is watched and when on each TV for that week. For this you get exactly one dollar, nothing more. It is, however, a nice crisp new dollar.