Nielsen TV

[DisneyFan32WI]

We received a packet of information from Nielsen TV. It instructed me to take an online survey about our family/t.v habits.
Has anyone done this before? If you get "accepted" into this, do you get paid?
I'm just wondering if this whole thing is a waste of time.

Thanks in advance!
Jen

 

[chisnpeke]

We have done it, but when we did it in 2003 it was done on paper. It is important to do it because that is how they get the tv ratings. I thought it was a neat thing to do. No you do not get paid, but I wouldn't care about that. I personally think it is important. You are helping to decide the ratings of tv shows.

 

[of the seas]

We did it last year. They come out and instail the "people meter" on each of your tvs. It's all digital now. When you turn on your tv, the box flashed red lights. Whoever is watching needs to log on to their number. About every 45 minutes it blinks red and you have to press the ok button. If a person comes in the room or leaves, you have to log in/out.

 

[of the seas]

They do pay you. Not to much, but it's like every 6 months and you can only have it for 2 years. If you last the whole 2 years, they give you an extra $100.

 

[of the seas]

Oh yea, it is a hassle on instalation day. They need to get readings from all your devises ( tvs, vcrs, dvds, ps2, xbox, wii, and so on) It takes a while. Then they come out every 6 months to check up on things(that doesn't take to long)


Oh yea...the kids loved it because every 6 months they got a small brochure and could pick out a toy of their choice!

 

[daisyduck123]

We were scheduled to be a Nielsen ratings family later this month. It turns out that our scheduled week is right in the middle of our 8 night WDW trip later this month.

The woman I was speaking with on the phone told me to just throw away the "recording booklet" when it arrives in the mail & I can keep the $5.00 payment that would arrive with it.

I asked her if my family could do it a different week & she said, "No".

 

[of the seas]

That's weird. They give you a bigger check when they come out to install. It was $100-$150. They don't use books anymore for the tv ratings.

 

[bicker]

We've had two experiences with Nielsen, over the years. I think all we've gotten were tzotchkies.

 

[coinkc]

We have been a Nielsen family for a while now. They connected their stuff to the back of our tvs and thats it. We just watch tv like we normally would...no logging in or anything.

We only get like $10 every 6 months but since it doesn't require us to do anything I don't mind.

 

[hoosll]

I have done the weekly diary in the past 3 times. I love doing it but DH thinks its a hassle. It got more complicated with DVR - they are interested in what you watch when not what you tape ....

I really want to feel that I can influence the ratings of the shows I love but I also understand that I am no longer the age of the highly prized viewer ... sometimes I wish we were not judged by our age, income and education level ... hey there are shows I like

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

Thanks for all of the responses.

 

[TeacupDemon]

We did a 2 week log book for Nielsen last year, and they enclosed $30 cash with the books. They talked to us on the phone first to confirm that we were interested.

 

[1sammy]

Nielsen Facts:

Nielsen has different samples doing different things/being paid different amounts.

If you are doing a diary, they DON'T CARE what you watch, they are looking for demo information from you, age, race, sex, etc. The log of what you watch is discarded, set viewing info is obtained elsewhere.

If they are attaching equipment to your tvs, it will cost you up to $5 a month
in electricity to run the equipment.......PER TV. The little bit of $ they give you will disappear quickly if you have several tvs.

They will ask you several demographic questions every month, over and over again. Questions that you should not be answering in this age of ID theft.

They will call you if you watch a tv too much/too little.

When there equipment fails, they will be back....more time.

They will bring several people into your house for the day to install the equipment, and it will take all day.

 

[daisyduck123]

Our "TV Viewing Diary" & all the other papers arrived today. The Diary is dated...to begin on Thur. Jan. 22.

Oh, also enclosed was $5.00 cash.