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June 19, 2013

Nielsen rates television viewing politics

by Brad Trechak, posted Oct 22nd 2008 10:17AM

Stephen ColbertNielsen has posted an interesting article on their blog in which they rate the television viewers' political leanings with regards to the programs they watch. Based on their study, the show which best engages the Democratic viewer is The Colbert Report. The show which best engages the Republican viewer is South Park. The show which best engages bi-partisans is The Cleaner.

I don't know about anybody else, but I find this list to be amusing. I can understand why The Colbert Report and South Park (particularly with its counterculture theme) engages their respective politics, but Doctor Who? Cash Cab? I'm a fan of all of the above (I've even been a contestant on Cash Cab) and my politics lean left. Have I been watching the wrong shows?

I'd like to think that while certain shows attract a certain political demographic, it doesn't mean that the content leans one way or the other or that it is intended for that demographic. Okay, maybe The Colbert Report, but that's it.

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MERVE-THE-PERVE

I'm not buying anything that Nielsen says. They just pull whatever numbers out of their ass they need to so that their customers keep buying their useless, inaccurate data. I'm still waiting for their bullshit explanation why their tv ratings are so low this season after claiming a few months ago that Americans were watching more tv than ever before.

October 22 2008 at 5:08 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
RobynM

Sorry, I'm not buying it. I'm a left-leaning Independent, but I (barely) watch more shows on the Republican list than I do the Democratic.

Dem:
Colbert Report
Tin Man

Rep:
South Park
Cash Cab
Doctor Who

Doctor Who? What the smeg. I've been "engaged" with that programme since Tom Baker's original run and it hasn't turned me Republican yet. ;)

Now if you'll excuse me, this post has reminded me I need to set up to DVR tonight's South Park.

October 22 2008 at 2:28 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Butters

Southpark = Republican? Really? Can anyone explain that one to me?

October 22 2008 at 1:29 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Joey Geraci

Yea, that is kind of weird. I really can't imagine that there are too many Republicans that watch South Park on a regular basis. Maybe young Republicans, but most Republicans are 35+ (with a huge proportion in the senior age bracket), and I just can't see too many getting the twisted (sometimes ridiculously shocking) humor of South Park.

October 22 2008 at 12:37 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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