On Thursday 13 November 2014
Broadcasters' Audience Research Board
The BARB, is an organization that is also co-owned by the BBC, the TP companies, Channel 4, BSkyB and the institute of practitioners in advertising who mainly deal with compiling audience measurement and TV ratings.
BARB was created in 1981 for compiling audience measurement and TV ratings for general television. According to BARB's FAQ, they commission various research companies to help provide their users with what they want, this also means that viewing figures need to be included. They study an approximate 5000 homes (all of which are classified as "paneled households") and they gather this information overnight to see which individuals watch what shows, they then compile graphs based on this information. They continuously do this to keep up with the constant change of the UK audience watching habits. Occasionally, they will use questionnaires to find out what people like to watch on certain channels.
Why is the method relevant?
This method is useful as it allows a new and constant flow of data, the use of questionnaires gives them a clear idea of what everybody wants and enjoys to watch on TV. It is very easy to access all of this information, so this allows them to quickly compile all of their data in a short amount of time.
What is the data gathered and used for?
The data is used to create figures that help to aid the most popular channels and TV shows to help boost the views and also their profits. The information they gather is vital to various TV stations as it shows them clearly which shows and channels are succeeding. Their clients are essentially the entire television audience and also the companies.
Why is the data so important?
It is extremely important to commercial television stations as they use the results to determine their own strategies for commissioning, programming and also for scheduling purposes. Based on BARB's viewing figures, television companies make key decisions about whether programmes should be repeated and also if series will be as well, or if they should be discontinued. BARB helps them to gain understanding of which programmes are doing better than others.
Furthermore, critics also need statistics for reviewing and rating programmes, films and series.
How does it help TV in general?
The system they use allows them to give their audience what they would like to watch and they reward the creators of these series or films whose ratings excel others (rewards are ratings of these programmes and films). This also can lead to other creators trying to keep up the standards of the higher achievers, money is also a very important factor of any programme and film.
