View Full Version : Kevin Rose's interview with MTV
capo327
03-23-2007, 02:46 AM
The interview can be found here (http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1555262/20070321/id_0.jhtml). I have a question.
Kevin says "When I was at TechTV we were Nielsen-rated .15, which is equivalent to 150,000 viewers per episode. And now we do 250,000 downloads a week on "Diggnation."
On the last episode they were explaining about Nielson ratings and how they don't take into account everyone watching the show, just the people with the special boxes. Couldn't that mean that it's possible if not likely that TSS had more viewers than Diggnation? I understand that the number they gave for Diggnation might not be accurate, especially since some people will get the episodes from mirrors, but I doubt that many people do it. The person at that certain well known mirror says he even gives Rev3 his numbers. Is it really possible to tell which show has more viewers? I know it doesn't really make a difference, I'm just curious.
magunwarrior
03-23-2007, 02:54 AM
I refuse to give MTV hits and/or viewership.
bayareaking510
03-23-2007, 05:52 AM
nice interview..
deves
03-23-2007, 11:46 AM
My understanding is that Nielson ratings are taken from the people with the boxes and blown up to represent the population. Now even if 25% of the people were to download diggnation twice thats still 200,000 unique downloads. Also, I don't think that the ratings for TSS would be off by 50,000 viewers expecially when the number is only 3x that.
This all makes sense in my head, but definately came out all jarbled.
capo327
03-23-2007, 12:11 PM
Ohhhh, I see. They blow them up. That makes sense. Thansk for explaining.
redwardj
03-23-2007, 04:40 PM
I refuse to give MTV hits and/or viewership.
Why because your too cool? Is it still the cool thing to hate MTV?
masherscf
03-23-2007, 05:24 PM
The Nielson boxes don't measure each person's viewing, but only a sample. The Nielson numbers are based on that sample and not on actual viewers. Depending on the size of the sample, the numbers could be off.
This means that actual recorded viewers could be more or less than 150,000. However, if the Neilson numbers are worth anything, the error margin could not be more than 66% as you suggest.
Alex argument was this:
1. Downloading doesn't effect Nielson numbers becuase no Nielson families download the shows.
2. Ad revenue is based on Neilson Numbers.
Therefore, Downloading doesn't effect ad revenue.
The only flaw is only broadcast TV has a revenue model that includes only ads. Many cable channels actually get a cut of subscription money from the cable companies. Indeed, pay-TV like HBO is entirely subscription based.
Downloading HBO or showtime Shows without having a subscription to thoses services certainly damages the potential revenue of those channels.
Indeed, as many of the boadcast networks base also get kick-backs from the cable company. A drop in cable subscribers would eventully impact their revenue as well. Since the fees paid by the cable companies to carry broadcast TV are almost not per subscriber, there should be no short-term effect.
Nevertheless, If you could an HD feed of broadcast TV directly from the networks anywhere in the country, one of the main selling points for HD cable-TV is gone.
vahnx
03-23-2007, 06:09 PM
I wanna see the video version of this on Google Video or Youtube.
samureye
03-23-2007, 06:34 PM
The Nielson boxes don't measure each person's viewing, but only a sample. The Nielson numbers are based on that sample and not on actual viewers. Depending on the size of the sample, the numbers could be off.
This means that actual recorded viewers could be more or less than 150,000. However, if the Neilson numbers are worth anything, the error margin could not be more than 66% as you suggest.
Alex argument was this:
1. Downloading doesn't effect Nielson numbers becuase no Nielson families download the shows.
2. Ad revenue is based on Neilson Numbers.
Therefore, Downloading doesn't effect ad revenue.
The only flaw is only broadcast TV has a revenue model that includes only ads. Many cable channels actually get a cut of subscription money from the cable companies. Indeed, pay-TV like HBO is entirely subscription based.
Downloading HBO or showtime Shows without having a subscription to thoses services certainly damages the potential revenue of those channels.
Indeed, as many of the boadcast networks base also get kick-backs from the cable company. A drop in cable subscribers would eventully impact their revenue as well. Since the fees paid by the cable companies to carry broadcast TV are almost not per subscriber, there should be no short-term effect.
Nevertheless, If you could an HD feed of broadcast TV directly from the networks anywhere in the country, one of the main selling points for HD cable-TV is gone.
Never argue with a Math prof.
chrisblau
03-24-2007, 12:23 AM
I refuse to give MTV hits and/or viewership.
While I tend to agree with you, I think it was a cool interview and worth the one hit you give MTV.
magunwarrior
03-24-2007, 12:24 AM
While I tend to agree with you, I think it was a cool interview and worth the one hit you give MTV.
I'll wait for it to be on youtube.
matt90
03-24-2007, 12:41 PM
I can't even watch it because of being out of the US.
decemberfall
03-24-2007, 07:02 PM
While I tend to agree with you, I think it was a cool interview and worth the one hit you give MTV.
wow, Kevin IS becoming a rock star, crazy
vahnx
03-24-2007, 07:22 PM
I can't even watch it because of being out of the US.
I know, that's why I asked for a link on Google Video or Youtube.
Floris
03-24-2007, 08:23 PM
G* (geekstar)
I should make a tshirt out of that :D
lsman11
03-26-2007, 03:21 AM
pretty cool interview
amal8301
03-26-2007, 09:31 AM
Nice interview K-Rose.:D
jaysix
03-26-2007, 08:36 PM
I think Kevin looked more fit for TV in that interview than the guy interviewing him. :P
ihatecrayons
03-28-2007, 06:23 PM
I think Kevin looked more fit for TV in that interview than the guy interviewing him. :P
I bet Kevin has had more screen time, what with TechTV and diggnation.
takdiego
03-28-2007, 07:51 PM
well..imo...he deserves it..I think kevin and the digg staff deserve alot of credit what this phenomenon they've created with digg...
although everyone has "been digging forever" or whatever..but I remember over a year ago, when I was still living in san diego, taking walks to subway on my lunch hour..listening to the first couple diggnations on my psp..
props guys...
comhcinc
03-28-2007, 07:54 PM
Why because your too cool? Is it still the cool thing to hate MTV?
yeah i think he is pretty cool. and yes it is still cool to hate mtv
Mtv get off the air (http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/deadkennedys/mtvgetofftheair.html)
that said i also will have to miss this, cause i'm too cool as well
popltree2
03-28-2007, 08:08 PM
Ohhhh, I see. They blow them up. That makes sense. Thansk for explaining.
Yes, with a grenade.
nextgenxbox
04-01-2007, 01:23 AM
250k per week... man they must be making bank off sponsors! Good for them, they deserve it!
rabidbadger
04-01-2007, 01:33 AM
Thanks for bringing this up again. I didn't have time to watch it when it was first mentioned and then it fell by the way side.
*goes to watch it now*
rabidbadger
04-01-2007, 01:49 AM
Well, that was a stuttery useless mess on this old laptop. (should be NPR podcast) I'll try it on my real machine later. Still. Kevin is cute as a button, even when he doesn't bathe.