Not to throw cold water on all the "Days of Our Lives" fans, but merely the voice of reason. The apparant 2.4 rating, a 0.5 point increase may not actually be for "Days". As already mentioned, "Days" was enveloped by Olympic coverage last week (and this week) and may have aired outside of its normal 1:00 p.m. ET time period - or perhaps pre-empted entirely.

I am not familiar with now Nielsen Media Research scores daytime ratings, but if it follows the pattern of prime-time ratings, there is a two-fold process. First, the "overnight ratings" are released, these are the numbers from the top media markets (i.e. NYC, LA, Chicago, etc.) and count viewers by time slot, not by actual program. A more detailed report is issued later in the day (or the next day) that includes all the media markets and is broken down by program instead of time period. Why is this important? Take for example the CBS reality series "Big Brother 10". The over-night ratings for its Thursday (August 14) episode put BB10 at an average of 6.72 million viewers. However, the series was pre-empted in several large markets (including Pittsburgh) due to local NFL coverage and its actual viewers was around 5.8 million viewers. So, 6.7 million people were in fact watching CBS at 8:00 p.m. ET on August 14, but only 5.8 million of those were watching "Big Brother". Perhaps Nielsen does something similar in daytime. Is that 2.4 rating what NBC averaged for the 1:00 p.m. ET time slot or is that what "Days" actually scored? Also, I would suspect - as someone else has mentioned - that due to the fluid nature of "Days" both last week and this week, that all episodes aired during the Olympics will be classified as specials by the network and not included in the official tally for the soap.

The ratings are for DAYS itself. Daytime uses Life + Same Day, and since the ratings don't come out until a week later, they have factored out reasons for inflated viewership.

I have no doubt it was soley because of the Olympics. I hope the audience stays, but I think that is unlikely. I have enjoyed Days recently though.

I think that B&B number was delayed, lol, (not really, but it was the week before last that was bad). Last week wasn't that bad.

The ratings are for DAYS itself. Daytime uses Life + Same Day, and since the ratings don't come out until a week later, they have factored out reasons for inflated viewership.

Errol I would really enjoy reading a column from you on the ratings. I know you probably have other things to write about, but regardless I thought I would mention it.

I know a little about polling and surveys so I have a lot of confidence in the science behind the ratings. However, when surveys do not work well -- and we discussed this in another thread -- is when those surveyed are somehow fundamentally different from those who are not surveyed. That is what I wonder about daytime. Are people who watch daytime fundamentally different from other viewers in their habits. For example, is someone who watches daytime more likely to DVR multiple shows or to DVR a week's worth of shows and then watch it over the weekend. I have no doubt that fewer people are watching daytime, but I wonder if the decline is a steep as it appears to be. Or are some of the half-million people drops from Monday to Friday more a function of viewing habits then loss of interest? Anyway just a babbling thought -- you know in case you need unsolicited help on your column. :lol:

Edited August 21, 200817 yr by Jess

I'm thrilled for Days, but the real test will see if they drop .5 or (worse yet) .6 next week, or manage to hold on to the viewers.

I can't believe the #1 soap in the 18-34 demo has a 1.1.

I think that B&B number was delayed, lol, (not really, but it was the week before last that was bad). Last week wasn't that bad.

I think people saw the week before last & thought Last week was going to be about the same stuff Katie & Nick.

Last week was good. & I think this week is way better then last week. Hoping they go up.

Interesting. I think the 300,000+ more males that watched the DAYS shows that people were leaving the TVs on. And kind of expected that other soaps would take a hit from it.

The drop back down should totally be interesting to watch.

I hope everyone gets what they deserve!

If GH gets what they deserve with the crap that is on now they will drop to well under a 2.0

Interesting. I think the 300,000+ more males that watched the DAYS shows that people were leaving the TVs on.

That's why I don't have a lot of hope for DAYS being able to hold on to the increase. Half the viewers are guys. The dailies should be fascinating. I can't wait to see which sport results in the largest audience holdover.

Edited August 21, 200817 yr by marceline

Great to see a big rise for DAYS, but we know they won't be able to maintain it after ther Olympics is over. It should be interesting to see if DAYS plunges back into the 1.8-2.0 territory after the Olympics, or if they can stabalize in the 2.0-2.2 territory or something.

That's why I don't have a lot of hope for DAYS being able to hold on to the increase. Half the viewers are guys. The dailies should be fascinating. I can't wait to see which sport resulting in the largest audience holdover.

I didn't even pay attention to the male demo. That's not a good sign in terms of holding on to people

That's 8 weeks in a row now that OLTL is #1 in teen girls. When I saw DAYS gaining so many viewers, I thought for sure they'd be #1 in that demo.

LMAO you mean the Ryan propping on AMC isn't packing in them viewers?

I guess GL fans aren't flocking to their tv sets to see GusH.....I mean TAKE on AMC

I don't know if more people are actually watching Days. My brother, for example, is just keeping his TV on through the hour.

But whatever works.

Edited August 21, 200817 yr by operagirl1

poor Y&R and GL