Television Ratings   

Reference Books
Background Information
Online Databases

Web Links

 

Reference Books in Cook Library

Complete Directory to Primetime Network TV Shows 1946-present - covers top-rated programs by season starting in 1950-April 1978
REF PN1992.18 B68

Encyclopedia of television  - 4 page article on ratings with a bibliography for suggested readings
REF PN1992.18 B7 1992

International TV and video almanac. Nielsen rankings are available in the most recent edition.  Earlier volumes for every year back to 1977 may contain some ratings information. 
REF PN1992.15.F61 2004

and rest are in the STACKS PN 1992.I5.F61 (year)  

Les Brown's Encyclopedia of Television - Based on Nielsen's 1991 research for:  top-rated network sports events, top-rated network programs and top-rated Saturday morning children's programming
REF PN1992.18 B7 19992

Television characters and story facts - details for shows from 1945-1992.   Does NOT contain rating information, but is useful for  program descriptions.
REF PN1992.8 S4T48  

Total Television - Covers top-rated series for each season compiled by Nielsen 1949-1995
REF PN1992.3 U5M3

TV Facts  - covers top rated TV series from 1950-1984 - also contains an introductory essay (5 page) which  discusses the ratings system.  Also includes a section on the top-rated programs of all time (keep in mind this book's publication date of 1985)
REF PN1992.18 S75 1985

Books discussing background information

Belville, Hugh . 
Audience ratings : radio, television, and cable

STACKS   HE8689.7.A8B46 1988 (Towson)

Broadcast Ratings Council. 
Understanding broadcast ratings.
STACKS
HE8689.7.A8B75 (Towson)

Buzzard, Karen. 
Electronic media ratings : turning audiences into dollars and sense
STACKS  HE8700.66.U6B892 1992 (UB, UMCP, UMBC)

Webster, James.

Ratings analysis:  theory and practice
Stacks HE8700.65.W42 (Towson)

Webster, James.
 

Ratings analysis : the theory and practice of audience research
STACKS  HE8700.65.W42 2000 (UMCP, FSU)

Online databases

Using Academic Search (EBSCO)  DE "TELEVISION PROGRAMS -- RATING" (use the  'subject search' button) and narrow the search with your program title.

Using ABInform (Proquest):  search using 'television ratings' as a subject and 'Broadcasting and Cable' as the publication

Web Links

Television Bureau of Advertising  (Ratings and ad revenue numbers are available under Research Central)
http://www.tvb.org/nav/build_frameset.asp?url=/rcentral/index.asp

Cable Television Advertising Bureau
http://onetvworld.org/

Yahoo Television Coverage  
http://ytv.yahoo.com/nielsen/

Zap2it Television Ratings 
http://tv.zap2it.com/news/ratings/

Mary Ranadive
Updated
02/01/05