Board Thread:False Info and Speculative Discussion/@comment-24732895-20140910035928/@comment-19765459-20140911234215

Paul.rea wrote: As to your last point - the ratings system doesn't currently reflect online viewing.

That's where advertisers get their info and set what they are willing to pay.

The system is changing but it's not happening as fast as the audience is migrating.

Not entirely true. Fewer people who watch online have simply "left the TV on" so to speak. Internet viewing actually provides more accurate statistics for people really watching, as opposed to people who just don't turn off the TV when they leave the room (which is very common behavior). Since internet viewers are actively seeking out the show, it is easier to track genuine viewership.

The problem is that computers and tablets are fundamentally multi-tasking devices, and even if you make commercials obligatory as part of streaming, the user may just switch to another browser tab or app during commercials. This is the real concern that advertisers have. Non-real-time viewers are less bound to commercials than real-time television audiences.