The rec.arts.tv FAQL:

Last updated:  February 1, 2004.
This version:  8.00
Note: The date of the last update is the date of the last change to this section; lack of an update since then means that the contents of this particular section are still true or valid to the present day. This page will be updated with every new major update (i.e. version x.00) of this FAQL, however.

Section 1.1.1: "Where can I find the Nielsen Ratings for syndicated/cable shows?"

Last I heard, a list of ratings for the top syndicated and cable shows can be found in the trade magazine "Broadcasting & Cable" (see Section 3.11).

In addition, this information can be found at the "TV.Zap2It.com" web site (see also the "News Websites for TV") at the following links:


Section 1.1.2: "Where can I find the full list of the Nielsen Ratings in print?"

For a full list of the Nielsen ratings for the Primetime shows on the six (US) broadcast networks, there are three main published sources:

  1. USA Today (Wednesday edition (usually), Page D4)
  2. The LA Times (Wednesday edition (usually), Calendar Section, third-to-last page)
  3. Broadcasting & Cable magazine

If there is a Monday holiday or a 4-day weekend, the Nielsen ratings are sometimes delayed a day.

Many publications publish only the Top 20 or Top 25 or Top 30 (e.g. "Entertainment Weekly", etc.), but (as far as I know), only the above two newspapers publish the full ratings list.


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