TV by the Numbers
Encyclopedia
TV by the Numbers is a website devoted to collecting and analyzing television ratings data in the United States
. It is run by Bill Gorman and Robert Seidman, both of whom founded the website in 2007.
and statistical analyst, Seidman had previously worked for IBM
and Charles Schwab
, and published an online newsletter about the Internet and AOL
before founding TV by the Numbers; Gorman had been a AOL
executive until 1998, and had read Seidman's column. Friends since the early 1990s when they met near Washington D.C., both were fond of television, as Gorman loved numbers and Seidman enjoyed statistics relating to it; the subject of television ratings data entered into one of their conversations. Gorman was dismayed at being unable to find other blogs devoted solely to television data, and after a Google
search confirmed this, he and Seidman thought of the idea for a website devoted solely to the subject. In Gorman's words, while there were sites devoted to disseminating certain subjects, "there was no site that did the same thing for the television industry. That is, compile the numbers in a way, and analyze them in a way, that consumers would understand". Gorman elaborated in a 2010 interview:
In response to the New York Times decision in 2011 to start charging for access to online content, Gorman wrote an article stressing his website will remain free.
Seidman created the website's "Bubble Watch" feature, which aims to predict based upon ratings data which television shows will be canceled and renewed.
TV by the Numbers has been cited by such media outlets as CNN
, The Associated Press, National Public Radio, and the Chicago Tribune
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is run by Bill Gorman and Robert Seidman, both of whom founded the website in 2007.
History
An InternetInternet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
and statistical analyst, Seidman had previously worked for IBM
IBM
International Business Machines Corporation or IBM is an American multinational technology and consulting corporation headquartered in Armonk, New York, United States. IBM manufactures and sells computer hardware and software, and it offers infrastructure, hosting and consulting services in areas...
and Charles Schwab
Charles Schwab
Charles Schwab may refer to:*Charles M. Schwab , American steel magnate*Charles R. Schwab , founder of the eponymous brokerage*Charles Schwab Corp., an American based brokerage firm...
, and published an online newsletter about the Internet and AOL
AOL
AOL Inc. is an American global Internet services and media company. AOL is headquartered at 770 Broadway in New York. Founded in 1983 as Control Video Corporation, it has franchised its services to companies in several nations around the world or set up international versions of its services...
before founding TV by the Numbers; Gorman had been a AOL
AOL
AOL Inc. is an American global Internet services and media company. AOL is headquartered at 770 Broadway in New York. Founded in 1983 as Control Video Corporation, it has franchised its services to companies in several nations around the world or set up international versions of its services...
executive until 1998, and had read Seidman's column. Friends since the early 1990s when they met near Washington D.C., both were fond of television, as Gorman loved numbers and Seidman enjoyed statistics relating to it; the subject of television ratings data entered into one of their conversations. Gorman was dismayed at being unable to find other blogs devoted solely to television data, and after a Google
Google
Google Inc. is an American multinational public corporation invested in Internet search, cloud computing, and advertising technologies. Google hosts and develops a number of Internet-based services and products, and generates profit primarily from advertising through its AdWords program...
search confirmed this, he and Seidman thought of the idea for a website devoted solely to the subject. In Gorman's words, while there were sites devoted to disseminating certain subjects, "there was no site that did the same thing for the television industry. That is, compile the numbers in a way, and analyze them in a way, that consumers would understand". Gorman elaborated in a 2010 interview:
"We try to focus on publicly available facts. We're not breaking any news. We're not interviewing people to try and get the last bit of juicy gossip. We focus on publicly available, either ratings or financial information, and what that likely means for your favorite show. Whether they're coming back or going away".
In response to the New York Times decision in 2011 to start charging for access to online content, Gorman wrote an article stressing his website will remain free.
Impact
According to one source, much of the information Gorman and Seidman had access to was not readily available to the media, and thus their efforts to analyze the data led to many "savvy readers" becoming interested in the workings of the ratings process.Seidman created the website's "Bubble Watch" feature, which aims to predict based upon ratings data which television shows will be canceled and renewed.
TV by the Numbers has been cited by such media outlets as CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
, The Associated Press, National Public Radio, and the Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune
The Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, and the flagship publication of the Tribune Company. Formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" , it remains the most read daily newspaper of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Great Lakes region and is...
.