And since those people would know that their viewing would help decide what goes and stays, I wouldn't think their attitude would be the same as an average viewer.

If Nielsen families don't act the same as an average viewer, though, it doesn't present much of a good system. Although I'm not sure Nielsen's data is much of a good indication anyway (not meaning that I'm saying it's not -- meaning I don't know enough about it). We had Nielsen on site at work today. The technical side of their applications is crap. That much I do know.

Is there anything new left to say in this discussion?

cereal...

Thank you, Nilly! May 7th. I'm so excited I can't stand it. I think we will see it air on the network.

The networks know the Nielsens are crap, but they're also the only tracking system they have. (Tivo's viewer tracking is far more detailed and comprehensive, but advertisers subtract those numbers from the larger Nielsen ratings because Tivo-ers don't watch the ads.)

(Tivo's viewer tracking is far more detailed and comprehensive, but advertisers subtract those numbers from the larger Nielsen ratings because Tivo-ers don't watch the ads.)

I knew I was part of the problem...

For a while last season, I'd play the VM episode on my TiVo, the night it aired, as I was going to bed. I'd shut off my TV from the TV set. That way, it looked like I watched it with the ads.

Cable networks should provide viewing figures back to Nielsen and the like, really. Cable boxes have return paths back to the network, so can supply data back.

Re: the network worried about getting a bad rep for cancelling serialized dramas... from what I can gather, that's kinda not far from the truth.

I'm curious Jackal. What are you basing this statement on? Gather from where?

I've been getting under people's feet at the Drive offices for the last two weeks.