We’re not supposed to notice it, but you would have to be in
a coma or have been otherwise rendered insensate to not at least get an inkling
that something is going on! Being that I have training in this field, allow me
to clue you in: the television ratings sweeps are going on.
Have you noticed that the programming on your favorite
channels seems to be a little bit better for the past few weeks? There are no
re-runs on in Prime Time. Even the news is getting in on the act.
If you’re in Denver you may have noticed that EVERY channel
is pandering to its news audience. They are running special programming and
promotions. (Two channels are even bribing the news audience to friend them on
facebook!)
There is an excellent book for anyone who wants to
understand what all this pandering is about. Please allow me to recommend The Wisdom of Crowds:
Why the Many Are Smarter Than the Few and How Collective Wisdom Shapes
Business, Economies, Societies and Nations, by James
Surowiecki. The entire book is interesting, but to anyone who is
interested in broadcasting, the section on how the ratings work is particularly
revealing.
Wherever you are today, I hope that you’re enjoying what’s
on TV!
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