As you probably know, each week TVSA publishes the
Primetime TV Viewing Figures for SABC 1, 2, 3, e.tv and M-Net.
It's been some time since we've done a feature explaining them so we thought we'd fill you in if you haven't seen previous articles about them - with added news and updates for those who have.
To begin, here's a refresh of the information featured on TVSA which clarifies what the TAMS are and how they're calculated. You'll see a link to this information at the top of the viewing figures each week:
By clicking this permanent link you get to the latest information on how the figures are calculated.
TVSA provides weekly analysis of the SAARF (South African Advertising Research Foundation) TAMS ratings, compiled into an easy-to-understand set of viewing figures.
The TAMS ratings are used to calculate which shows are most-watched on South African television. TAMS stands for Television Audience Measurement Survey.
The SAARF TAMS Panel provides television viewing information, minute by minute, using so-called 'peoplemeters' - semi-automatic electronic equipment that is connected to selected households' television equipment.
It records television set events automatically, using a remote control unit. Visitors to the measured households are included.
The results are reported weekly and are published on the SAARF website.
All television shows (and the bits in between) are measured using AMPS Ratings (ARs).
An AMPS Rating is the proportion of viewers, averaged across some time period (a commercial spot or break, a quarter-hour or a programme) and percentaged on the total number of individual panel members in the relevant group (eg. 'all adults' or 'females').
For a more detailed description visit the SAARF website.
One AR represents 279,920 viewers, so to arrive at a viewing figure for a show we multiply its AR by 279,920 to arrive at an actual number of viewers watching any given programme.
TVSA does not analyse TAMS data for DStv - we only analyse SABC 1, 2 and 3, e.tv and M-Net.
The figures for M-Net include both M-Net Terrestrial and Satellite for the Primetime times of 18h00 to 18h30 and 19h30 to 22h00: when the channel airs on both Terrestrial and Satellite.
We only cover the primetime ratings (and a few soapies that don't fall in primetime), which is considered to be between 18h00 and 22h00.
We also only calculate the viewing figures for Adults (15+) - the viewing figures for children are not taken into account.
We list the Top 10 shows by channel, as well as the Top 5 shows across all channels in a variety of different genres.
Please note that the viewing figures published by TVSA are an approximation of the actual numbers. An average is taken for shows that air more than once a week.
Any changes to the figures that take place are updated on this page so you can stay updated by clicking the highlighted link each week.
Why are there changes?SAARF regularly updates the TAMS Universe. This is the universe or "world" that gets measured. The universe changes as the television landscape changes. For instance, as more people get television sets, so the value of an AR changes.
The more people with TV's = a larger number of viewers per AR.
When was the latest universe update?The latest universe update happened on 1 August 2011. The change in the value of an AR was hardly noticeble. From 280,000 viewers to 279,920 viewers per AR.
The reason for the slight decrease: viewers watching TV via a PVR decoder were removed from the universe. These viewers will be included in a seperate universe in the future.
Why do we calculate the viewing figures for Adults (15+)?This is the accepted industry currency of viewership. These are the figures used by the industry as the official reflection of what's happening with shows.
What about children? Can they be calculated too?Yes. There are seperate AR's for children - which SAARF also provide. In the case of the children, the AR value is different.
One AR respresents 89,139 child viewers.
We'll be doing selected articles in the future that take a look at the AR's when you combine these two figures.
What about the M-Net split?The figures for M-Net include both M-Net Terrestrial and M-Net Satellite. When the channel split into two
earlier this year, SAARF created a new statistical calculation that takes both channels into account.
The calculation applies to all shows that are on both channels at the same time i.e. when the M-Net channel airs on both Satellite and Terrestrial at the same time.
The result: the timeslot 18h30 to 19h30 isn't included in the M-Net figures because the channel splits into M-Net and kykNET at this time.
If a show during that time makes the Top 10 list, it'll only be on M-Net Satellite because M-Net Terrestrial viewers don't see it at that time.
When will there be a another update?According to SAARF the next update should be towards the end of this year/early next year.
What changes should one look out for to keep things as straightforward as possible?The value of AR. This is the key to all calculations. When the value of an AR changes, the viewership figures change.
Other changes do happen in the universe, but these are often behind-the-scenes measurement factors which don't change the fact that things ultimately come down to an AR.
To calculate the figures: take an AR, multiply it by the latest value of one AR and you'll reach the viewership figure.
For the latest viewership figures, please see:
Week 31: 1 - 7 August.