Jonblog

If you are familiar with television you have probably heard of ratings. Ratings determine how much money a television station, network or cable company can charge for advertising. In big markets like New York ratings are a 365 day a year fact of life. In markets like Presque Isle ratings are gathered four months a year, May, July, November and February. Those are the sweeps months. Regular viewers will see the networks promoting hard. “The Survivor Finale right here on CBS.” “Who will be the American Idol. Tonight on Fox” and “Please watch NBC, there must be something you like.” Sorry NBC.

News also jumps on the sweeps band wagon. Stations will pump up news promotion with info on Special Reports. Ninety percent of Special Reports are special in my opinion. The other ten percent not so much. If you shoot ninety percent from the free throw line you’re a great free throw shooter, so I can live with the ten percent not so much.

Sweeps end on Wednesday May 24th. Neilsen families can put down the diaries and viewers can settle in for a summer of reruns and marginal reality programing. The fall season starts in September, but remember the News is new everyday.

JG

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 at 3:17 pm and is filed under Uncategorized.
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