How do TV Statisticians "know" how many tuned in ?

Question

If you know, what technology or mechanism is used for determining how many people "tuned in" to a particular station on TV?

The source of any ones set is merely 110 volts. How does that work back to a specific channel choice?

Answer 1

A Nielson Box. Individuals are chosen at random and 'paid' to keep them in their house. The number is then used as a percentage to figure out ROUGHLY how many people are watching it. It is an outdated, often inaccurate measurment tool which they are working on updating.

Even though the guy who made the point is a jerk, if you are truly educated you should know about Nielson ratings. To know what they are and how they work does not making a TV junkie zombie. In fact, i doubt almost any of these so-called 'zombies' you speak of have any knowledge of Nielson ratings. So check you attitude at the door next time and learn yourself some edumakation.

Answer 2

I would really like to know myself.