Networks Resort To Trickery In An Attempt To Lift Ratings

nytimes.com:

This is the kind of programming sleight of hand that executives seize on as they seek to gain every possible edge in the television ratings game, at a time when each tenth of a point or two enhances their standing in the nightly ratings and the ability to pitch to advertisers who spend billions of dollars a year. But these tactics are more about bragging rights than money.

The tricks themselves are familiar to most in the business: smart commercial buyers know when the ratings are being spun for a better story in the media or a claim in a print ad, and they insist on paying for the real ratings, not the artificially enhanced versions.

Read the whole story: nytimes.com

Comments

[getoffmyside]

09:38 AM on 02/06/2012

Dear TV Executives,
If you want better ratings make a better product.

[AgentGrey]

03:05 AM on 02/06/2012

Does HP's use of deceptive headlines to generate clicks and manipulate public opinion for its own financial gain fall under a different category?

[Margo Arrowsmith]

05:53 AM on 02/06/2012

Fan, fave and standing ovation!  You got it.

[maxfax]

10:17 PM on 02/04/2012

What?

[Payd Troll]

01:58 PM on 02/04/2012

aren't the networks owned by teapublicants? why is this a surprise?

[BluebirdofUnhappiness]

01:11 AM on 02/04/2012

Sort of like some newssite headlines.

[smurphette]

10:51 PM on 02/03/2012

Whatever!

[byteb]

02:01 PM on 02/03/2012

Trickery? Networks and ratings and trickery? Oh my. Seriously, this is a story?

[gypsynomad]

08:00 PM on 02/02/2012

After watching GMA for decades,I switched to CBS with Carlie,Gayle and Erica.
Excellent !!!

[media4meisback]

10:53 AM on 02/03/2012

After watching GMA...........................
Oh wait, I never did.
Sorry