Nielsen Examines Ratings System: A. C. Nielsen...

Nielsen Examines Ratings System: A. C. Nielsen Co. is examing its national “people meter” ratings system after complaints from the major television networks that the system has begun to under-report viewing levels. Nielsen’s national people-meter system reported television viewing levels had dropped 5% in February, compared to a 1% decline as posted in its diary-based local measurement system. In certain demographics and time periods, the decline was even steeper. Nielsen has told the networks that it will investigate and test the system to determine the causes of the discrepancy.