When i have a show set to record with my DVR does it count towards the ratings?

Question

If i dont have my tv turned on or set to a different channel will it still count me towards ratings if im only recording it and not watching it?

Answer 1

Also with what RT said, if it is a Tivo brand DVR, they have their own ratings. Meaning the most recorded show, most played back and etc. I'm not sure about the other DVRs from cable or satelite.

Answer 2

I'm not positive but I think it counts if you watch the show within 24 hours.

Answer 3

Actually, shows get credit based on surveys. The survey data is collected in a number of ways.

1) People Meters and Household Meters - this is equipment that the ratings survey company installs on your TV at your house (with your permission, of course).

2) Ratings diaries - these are books that viewers fill out about their viewing habits.

3) Telephone surveys.

In all cases, the viewers know that they are part of a survey group, agree to participate, and are usually paid some small amount for supplying viewing data. That data from the small survey group (sample) is then run through some mathematical magic to calculate the "rating" for each show.

That said, if you are not part of the survey group, nobody knows what you are watching, if you watch it live, or DVR it. Our Research Director tells me that, for someone in the survey sample, watching a show that was recorded on a DVR will be credited to the show in the original time period as if it were viewed live.

Edit: Tivo ratings are not used by anyone in the broadcasting industry.  The predominant rating survey companies are Nielsen for TV and Arbitron for radio.  Those are the ratings that spell success or failure for a particular show.