Ad Age: Nielsen Prepares Written Defense of TV Rating Methodology

While Nielsen's television rating methodology is not perfect, television executives, in the face of large ratings declines this year, continue their refusal to believe people are leaving their medium for another, the Internet, or even - heaven forbid, spending time reading or working out or similarly constructive practices. The men 18-34 audience segment has seen the largest drop off in television viewership, with a season to date decline of eight percent. Television executives have been so riled by this that Nielsen is preparing a letter defending its methodology and that there is nothing wrong with the latest ratings.