TV Viewing Statistics (Neilsen)

[landtuna]

An article published by NBC News http://www.nbcnews.com/tech/mobile/nielsen-smartphones-internet-are-eating-our-tv-time-n473496 stated the following:

Since Nielsen inaugurated its tracking service in 1949, average daily TV viewing has marched steadily upward, from 4 hours and 35 minutes a day to a peak of 8 hours and 55 minutes in 2009-2010.

I was astonished when I read that. Are they saying that the average TV viewer watched 4+ hours of TV per day in 1949 and now spends more than a full day at work just watching TV? I'm thinking that can't be right. The average working person has time, perhaps, for 1 hour while eating breakfast and another 2-3 hours after dinner in the evening. Weekends might be a bit more since the longer sports programs tend to take place then but I cannot imagine anything approaching 8 hours per day. Nor can I believe that 4+ hours was the norm back in the late 40's. Children generally had more access to the TV during their day than their parents and those numbers seem very high even for them.Comments?

 

[b-turner]

For 1949 that seems abnormally high. The few TVs in use meant not much of the total population watched TV then. From what I understand, there weren't many stations operating more than a few hours a day. I wonder how the figure was had. Certainly some people without TV might go to a place with TV to watch something.

As for 8 hours and 55 minutes a day, the only way I could see that is if the count includes businesses that run a TV, say in a waiting area, during their business hours, is included. As for an average household, the only way that could make sense is if every TV in a home is collectively counted but then that would be 8 hours and 55 minutes per household versus viewer.

If TV was measured in the same way radio's quarter hour worked (5 minutes in a quarter hour equals a quarter hour credit), then maybe. 8 hours and 55 minutes sure seems like a lot of viewing. Granted I have friends that keep the TV on for background, so that might make it feasible. My stepmom sleeps with the TV on, finding it hard to doze off without it being on.

 

[sandiegoinexile]

Nine hours a day doesn't surprise me at all. Many of the folks I work with turn on the TV as soon as their eyes open. It serves as background noise as they wake up, get dressed, eat, get ready. That's almost 2 hours for many folks. As soon as they walk in the door at home. the TV goes on and it stays on until they go to sleep 8-10 hours later. It's background noise and very little appointment television.

You also have to keep in mind the 50M folks who are retired or stay-at-home. They likely far exceed 8 hours. My late grandmother had the TV on for 16-18 hours a day.

I loathe TV as background noise. I'll take radio and the internet instead. I watch TV for programs, not as a noisy companion. I usually don't turn on the TV until I get home at 6PM. And some days, it might stay on til I go to sleep at 2AM. That's 8 hours.

 

[b-turner]

To add to the above, I know people who leave their TV on when not at home and at work to keep their pets company or to deter a break-in.

 

[landtuna]

I thought about the instances in the previous two posts but they certainly weren't part of the mainstream viewer back in 1949.

And regarding Nielsen, did the diary's ask the question "What station are you viewing and what hours" or did it ask "is your TV set turned on?" I'm guessing the former and if so a truthful diary entry would be to note what one is actually watching and not just background noise.