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Ha! Marla and I were once a Neilson family when we live in Pa. They usually tell you in their introduction that they don't want you to tell anyone you're a Neilson family...I think they're afraid some network suit my try to bribe you to change your viewing schedule or something.

It's relatively painless these days...they hook a box to your TVs that records what you watch. Then in the middle of the night it dials in to the mothership to download the data. And, as I recall, you get $5 a month and a house plant out of the deal.

Actually, we have two different Nielsen measurement systems in place for Greensboro area television stations.

First is the traditional ratings diary. There are 4 ratings periods or sweeps, where television stations try to out do each other - February, May, July and November. During each month, a small percentage of the public will receive invitations to record their viewing habits for one week.

The second is found only in larger areas, such as ours - it's a set-top box attachment that records the television viewing on each television set that the unit is attached. Each night, the box dials out to the Nielsen offices and downloads that day's television watching habits. The next day the local television station receives that data as it is applied/exploitated to the viewing population.

There a new system coming soon - People Meters - that actually listens to watch people are watching/listening. It picks up sub-audible codes added at the local television and radio stations. Equipment for that is already installed at local television stations.

All this to determine that we all like certain tv shows and tv people.

You know, we got that card a couple months ago, and we were all excited about it -- until they came out to our place to look at our set-up. Turns out we're "technically difficult" -- their words -- because we have a DVD recorder. Nevermind that we have a DVR, VCR, and my husband has the cable split about five different ways -- it was the DVD recorder that did it. Sigh. I was so excited, too!!

John,

I know you will keep watching Special Report with Britt Hume on Fox News Chan., M-F(40) & " 24 " on (WGHP) Mondays 9PM

Be sure and ask for the Venus Flytrap plant.

And no,fugitabout the West Wing ( aka Left Wing ). Why do its producers hate America ? Stick a fork in it. It's done

But the idea of having even a miniscule impact on the television ratings is intriguing.

I would like for you to try to have the same kind of impact in GSO paper boy.

You'd want to save the West Wing? I think it's been in a sort of downward, melodramatic spiral ever since Aaron Sorkin bowed out. I think we should simply let it die.

My roommates and I were a Nielsen "family" in college.

You can thank us for keeping the "Real World" on all these years.

You're right about the West Wing, of course. I just mentioned it because 24, House and Lost don't seem to need my help.

Now Fred, as the president on 24 seems to be part of the plot to kill Jack, I, too, have wondered why the producers hate America. :)

John,

All it is not as it seems re Presidenr Logan. That's just a guess, so tuned Monday 9 PM.