How do TV show ratings work?

Question

how long do you watch a show till it counts as one rating

like if i skim through channels does it count as a rating to each show?

just curious

Answer 1

You mean like the Nielsens, where they show how many people watched each show? Well first you have to be chosen as a Nielsen family, and a Set Meter has to be connected to your TV. They measure a family's viewing habits from minute to minute, including if they change channels or turn off the TV. They often tell, on average at any given moment, what percentage of American TVs were tuned to which show or channel.