#33: How are TV ratings measured to keep shows on the air?
Let me break this question into two distinct parts since they are not always related.
1. “How are TV ratings measured…”
The audience measurements we generally reference in the industry traditionally come from the Nielsen Ratings. Nielsens begin with the total number of viewing households in the U.S. Ratings are then delivered in a two-number format, e.g., “10.6/15.” The first number (”ratings points”) indicates what percentage of existing viewing households are actually watching TV at that time. The second number (”share”) indicates what percentage of those watching TV at that time are actually watching that show.
2. “…to keep shows on the air?”
Ratings absolutely are considered as networks determine what stays or goes in the line-up, but they are not the only factor. For instance, the excellent “Arrested Development” never delivered ratings, but the network (Fox) stood by it for several seasons, quite probably in part because it was an award-winner and lent some sophisticated humor and prestige to a network slate that typically was considered fairly low-brow. You can watch every season of this really witty comedy still on Hulu.com (I’m not connected to Hulu in any way other than this is where I watch Arrested Devt and other shows when I need an instant laugh).
Other factors affecting a series renewal include: cost of the show (in proportion to numbers); availability of or relationship with the star(s); shifts in genre popularity; and exhaustion of ideas to run with.