[Magic]

If you didn't know TV ratings are calculated by people who have 'BARB' boxes. Basically, whoever has one of these boxes represents about 5000 people in the UK.

Whatever they watch, they record in the BARB box, and then these figures are used to calculate the TV viewing figures.

However, they aren't really accurate.
EG - At some times channels are recorded to have nobody watching them at all, which isn't true most likely.

Also, I dont think they are distrupeted evenly. Very few students, single parents, under 30's etc. own 'BARB' boxes, therefore shows like Big Brother, T4 and other younger shows have a fairly unacurate set of viewing figures.

Does this make sense?
And do you think its unfair, and should they devise a fairer way or recording viewing figures?

[bananarama]

I agree it does seem a bit of a blunt instrument to calculate viewing figures...Not at all accurate I would think..

These days I don't see why they couldnt rely more on internet polls deliberately set up to gauge viewing habits and numbers....

A wide range of ages and types and gender now use the internet in large numbers....

[razorbladeromance]

Installing a BARB in every home in the country would only rouse debates about the Big Brother state and spying so it looks like we have to stick with this system for the moment.

Mind you nobody is saying either they are real ratings. They are calculated estimates.

And any unfair arguments will apply to all shows, not just Big Brother, so provided the right share is being given BARB boxes, its still a fair enough system.

[Magic]

Bump, i wanna hear more views.

[Spike]

I think its really unfair
Shows which are aimed at younger people are probably more affected, I think Big Brother does so much better than the ratings say.
I wont trust ratings until all of the UK is tested

[Llamajohn]

well...all ratings are in proportion with each other sort of...so it still is fair in that sense..if that makes sense?

I do think though, all tellyboxes should be able to send back channel data so it is known what is being watched...the technology is there..just legal papers and all that in the way i think.

[Tom]

I don't think they're accurate but if they're all inaccurate then its possibly inaccurate by the same scale. There are 5100 homes and one person represents roughly 10,000 people. The people come from all sorts of backgrounds so I'd say its a fair system, even if its way off in reality.

[Llamajohn]

Originally posted by Tom
I don't think they're accurate but if they're all inaccurate then its possibly inaccurate by the same scale. There are 5100 homes and one person represents roughly 10,000 people. The people come from all sorts of backgrounds so I'd say its a fair system, even if its way off in reality.

isn't it like 12,000 people...and ratings are accurate to 2% or something.

but as long as everything is using the same system...all ratings should be in line.

[Daniel__]

I think its really unfair how ratings are made. I bet Big Brother gets loads more than what is said they get.

[ThisIsMarie]

What! Is that seriously how they do it!?

That doesn't make any sence though.