Gothamist: TiVo pimps your ass out

L Felix

Mon, 21 Jul 2003 20:15:42 -0500

Tivo devices tend to be in higher income homes. That alone will skew the results if they are looking for a real cross section. The reality is, the Nielsen ratings are based in fiction. The technology is old and I refuse to believe that Alias is #82 in the entire year rankings. People have poor taste but for good shows to rate so low and lame crap like Raymond rates high? I could give a flying F%$# if they use my viewing habits. I want them to know what I like and what I dont. Better that then let the soccer mom with the Neilsen box next door tell them that we all want to watch the Oxygen Network instead of Monster Garage. As long as personal data isnt exchanged, its to out ultimate benefit.

Andrew

Mon, 02 Jun 2003 15:04:51 -0500

According to David Pogue's NYT column from Thursday, you can opt-out of Tivo's data-collection. " you can opt out of even this anonymous data collection by calling TiVo at 877-367-8486. (Replay says IT doesn�t collect aggregate viewing data, but �may collect such information in the future.� It, too, will offer an opt-out method.)" http://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/29/technology/circuits/29POGUE-EMAIL.html

Sam T

Mon, 02 Jun 2003 08:55:17 -0500

Hmm, I wonder how "granular" the initial pimped data will be. I refuse to take the time to read the linked article, so I will just go ahead and assume it won't be too detailed, something like; "viewer watched The Daily Show and nothing else all week."...