What organization is responsible for tracking television viewership?

The organization that is primarily responsible for tracking television viewership is Nielsen. Nielsen has established itself as a leader in audience measurement since it began measuring television ratings in the 1950s. The company uses various methodologies, including surveys and electronic measurement tools, to gather data on how many people are watching specific programs and how long they watch them. This information is crucial for networks and advertisers to understand viewership trends and for making decisions regarding advertising rates and programming.

While Arbitron, now a part of Nielsen, focused more on radio audience measurement, Nielsen encompasses numerous media, including TV, making it the most recognized name in the field of viewership tracking. Focus groups are often used for qualitative research but do not provide the comprehensive viewership data that Nielsen does. Ratings refer to the actual data produced by organizations like Nielsen, rather than representing an organization in itself.