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Why The Way TV Ratings Are Measured Needs To Be Upgraded For The Digital Age

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The way TV ratings are measured in the USA, as well as many other countries, is decades old, and based a lot on broad estimation and guesswork. This leads to all kinds of problems where TV networks schedule shows based on this data, or even cancel shows which actually have large fan bases, because the ratings suggest otherwise. Here we take a look at how ratings fan base are currently measured, and why this no longer fits with the way many Americans choose to get their TV fixes:

What Are Neilsen Ratings, and How Do They Work?

Neilsen ratings are the main means of measuring how many people are watching a given station at a given time and hence the ratings for a given television broadcast. Invented and managed by the company Nielsen, the system is based on boxes installed in a proportion of homes that monitor what is being watched.

From this data, trends are analysed and possible viewing figures are extrapolated. This means that when you see that a given sporting event, or occasion like the Royal Wedding, gains record breaking viewing figures, this may not actually mean there really were more people watching this broadcast than any other broadcast in history, or in a given year. It is simply thought that there were, based on how many people with Nielsen boxes watched it.

Neilsen ratings also only take into consideration live broadcasts, so if somebody records something with a service like TiVo, or watches it with their TV provider’s on demand service either through their TV box or online, it will not be counted.

Why This Simply Doesn’t Work Anymore

The average TV installation service includes all kinds of convenient ways people can watch their favourite shows, as and when they like. This means that a lot of people don’t watch TV at its scheduled times any more. While some extremely popular shows may be an ‘appointment to view’ for some people, and things like the news and sports will always be watched live, when it comes to the average sitcom or drama, the live audience when it is first broadcast gives no real indication of how many people will have ended up watching that show that week.

Additionally, some people like to save up shows so they can watch a whole season in a marathon, meaning they don’t have to wait to get the full story. This means that the number of people who end up watching the show as a DVR recording or on demand could continue to rise for a while after the show has finished airing.

With people’s viewing habits and options having changed so much from their pre-digital, pre-internet state, this antiquated means of judging the popularity of a TV product produces figures that can’t be relied upon. The industry will soon need to come up with a new way to count real viewing figures, or to combine analysis from Nielsen with other forms of data, for example how much certain shows are being discussed on social media and blogs.

Featured images:
  •  License: Creative Commons image source
  •  License: Creative Commons image source
  •  License: Royalty Free or iStock source: http://pixabay.com/en/icon-diagram-bar-cartoon-graphics-37717/?rf=api_jitendraag

Today’s featured contributor, Kate Harris, is a private investigator. She also works as a security consultant at AAA Satellite, one of the leading manufacturers of business security equipment. In her spare time, she likes to write blogs about various types of security systems used in businesses.

Ways To Entertain Your Kids During Summer Holidays

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As parents, we all look for exciting ways to keep our children entertained so that they can experience days of fun during the summer months. Below are some exciting things you can do with your children this summer that will keep them from being bored.

Make Your Yard a Water Park – Kids love being in the water during the summer. By only spending about $15 on a large sheet of plastic, you can make your own slip-and-slide. Find a small downhill incline in the yard to lay the plastic down. Make sure you check the area for rocks, sticks or things that might cut through your plastic and remove them. At the top of your incline, place the hose, releasing just enough water so that it flows at a steady stream. Make sure the plastic is completely wet so the children can slide down it smoothly. If you want to add extra smoothness, mix some dish washing soap and water together. Spread it on the plastic with your hands or a mop. When everything is smooth and slick, stand back and watch the kids have a ball! Why not join in and take a dive yourself?

Local Festivals and Fairs – Kids love exploring, so going to some local events is always fun for them. Many local festivities have learning displays for children. These can captivate your kid’s minds and keep them busy for hours. Search online daily so that you can plan for upcoming events you might find. Most of these have very little cost involved and allow for some great family fun. They are out there just waiting to be found.

Kids Ferrari Track Day – If you want your kids to experience days of excitement, you must try the exciting Ferrari driving experience for kids. What child would not be excited about driving a Ferrari before they turn 17? A popular summer entertainment choice for children is the Our Kids Ferrari Driving Experience. Your children will have a welcome introduction and safety lesson on driving techniques before they begin. Once they start, they enjoy 10 full minutes of driving a Ferrari 360 on a track. When they are done, they will receive an individual driving certificate as well as a DVD featuring some of the amazing driving experiences. You should allow about two hours for the complete driving experience.

Water activities – What kid does not love boating? Getting out on the refreshing water and letting the wind run through their hair or diving into the cold water off the back of a boat is always exciting. Just taking a relaxing swim off the boat is just as fun. There is plenty to do when you take the kids boating. Kids can try skiing, tubing, wave boarding and water boarding. When the get good and worn out, just sit back and let them enjoy the boat ride. Boating is great fun and a good way to spend some quality time with the kids.

Summer does not have to be boring. By doing a bit of research, you can find plenty of exciting ways to entertain the kids all summer long!

Ursula Jones is a specialist writer on the topic of kids activities. Here she looks at entertaining the kids in the summer holidays. see more experience days at http://www.wellwickedstuff.com/






Top 6 Features That Help You Spot A Top-Notch Restaurant

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Most people these days dine out because they enjoy the entire dining experience provided by the restaurants as well as the convenience of having a meal prepared by others. Also, the opportunity to relax and enjoy a great meal in good company is something that most modern working men and women love. Some restaurants are more successful than others are, and they attract more customers. Customers who get the experience they are looking for are likely to make return visits. If you are a food lover, here are features or qualities that are common in successful restaurants that you should certainly look out for.

Great Ambience

The atmosphere of a restaurant has a huge effect on the entire dining experience and it can make or break the business. The best food in the world will not keep customers coming back if they do not enjoy the atmosphere. Any professional restaurateur knows that a huge investment will be required to achieve success in the business.

The ambiance is created through the restaurant décor, the comfort, the background music, the lighting and other factors. Getting all factors right will achieve the required atmosphere and will go a long way in attracting customers.

Good Food

When people decide to order dishes in a restaurant, they are fully expecting to enjoy the meal. No one wants to spend money on a meal that leaves him or her feeling cheated of their money. Without good food, a restaurant might as well close its doors. The foundation of any great restaurant is the food and many businesses will go out of their way to hire the best chefs they can afford.

People go to the restaurants looking for culinary experiences ranging from exciting flavors, interesting new fusion dishes, authentic dishes and groundbreaking innovations among others. Even the food presentation can offer an experience to look forward to. It is very important to maintain consistency so that customers know that they will get great food every time they visit.

Excellent Service

Another key quality of a successful restaurant is great service. Good food served with a bad attitude can never go down well! Restaurant patrons fully expect to pay for full service and that includes the food and how it is served. Hiring rude unprofessional staff is the quickest way to get rid of customers.

Some of the things that put off customers include slow service, rude staff, hovering staff and getting the wrong meal. Excellent service is characterized by prompt responses and flawless efficient presentation from staff that are barely visible.

Hygiene and Cleanliness

Maintaining high Cleanliness standards is essential in the restaurant business and it helps to create a good impression. Patrons want to feel that they are eating healthy food and the condition of the restaurant will affect their dining experience.

Restaurant management and owners have to ensure that they avoid anything that could negatively affect the health of the customers. All the areas of the restaurant must be kept clean, from the kitchen and the rest rooms, to the main restaurant area. The cleanliness should also extend to the employees. No one wants to be waited upon by someone who is in dire need of a bath!

Good Management

A restaurant can only be successful if the management is good. An experienced owner and highly qualified staff will help to ensure that guests get the best service. Good management will ensure that all patrons get efficient service every time they are in the restaurant. It also helps to ensure that everything about the business, from staffing, to menu selection and marketing, is running efficiently to ensure profitability.

Reasonable Prices

The success of a restaurant will also be determined by the price of the food. People expect to get what they are paying for. If the prices are high, the patrons will expect great service and exquisite food to match the cost. If the prices are too high, it can discourage returning customers because there is a limit to how much people will spend on food. On the other hand, considerably low prices will give the impression of low quality and it makes many patrons suspicious. Good restaurants have learnt the art of setting a balance between the service they provide and what they charge for it.

Also, another feature of great exotic restaurants is the ability to provide something different, people are constantly on the lookout for different experiences and restaurants that stand out from the rest tend to be quite popular. A good restaurant will adhere to all legal requirements including health and tax regulations too. Have you found your favorite restaurant yet?

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The author of this post, Neena James, works for a prominent Indian restaurant in Brick Lane. She thinks one of the best things about working at a restaurant is that she gets to interact with many people on a daily basis.

The Carnival Festival In Limassol, Cyprus

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Holidays in Limassol, Cyprus

Limassol Carnival

Limassol has a little bit of everything and there really is no shortage of fun to be had when you visit this beautiful island. If you’ve never visited the island before you may not be aware of just how beautiful it is and how much excitement can be had in the area. There truly is something for everyone, but there are certain times of the year when you may consider visiting, if you want to get the absolute most out of your trip. There are all kinds of events that take place in Limassol, so you want to be certain that you visit during one of the festivals that you’re interested in. Let’s talk a bit more about some of the festivals in Limassol and what you can expect when you visit.

The Lemesos Carnival

Limassol is filled with many tourist attractions such as festivals and celebrations. One of the most popular attractions is the Lemesos Carnival. This is a 15 day event where people from all over the globe come together to have a fun time. The celebration is held on the beautiful beach front of Limassol and it is meant to represent the ancient times of Greeks and Romans that once were the inhabitants of the area. You can expect to have a great time learning about the history of the region and also a beautiful and fun day with your companions.

More about the Lemesos Carnival

The Lemesos Carnival began being celebrated by tradition, but it has evolved into a massive event of fun and excitement. The many people of Limassol have kept their traditions alive and also kept the Lemesos Carnival a huge event for many years. Many people of the region gather on the street to take part in music, dancing and many other types of entertainment. If you want to learn about the rich history of the region, sample some delicious food and drink and just have an all-around fun time. I highly suggest visiting during this celebration.

Other Fun Festivals in Limassol

There are many more festivals held in Limassol, and the celebrations are had by many people. Another very popular event in Limassol is known as the Festival of Wine. This festival is very fun and exciting and it goes on strong for 15 days. You’ll have access to many different types of wines, delicious food and you can partake in all sorts of traditional dancing. It’s a great time to be had by all.

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George Sanders has worked in many Limassol hotels and has over 10 years of travel planning experience.

Need to smile

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I’m not having the best week. Scratch that … I don’t think I’m having the best year and it’s only just begun. My Crohn’s is acting up and well .. my life just kind of sucks right now. It really does. I have to make a LOT of changes and soon.

What I need right now is some cheering up. This picture, just like the captions within in makes me smile and I need that. Hopefully it makes you smile too!

Funny dog

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