Chicagoans Mobilize To Urge Nielsen To Stop Rollout Of TV Ratings System.

Almost a dozen “Human TVs” spread out across the Loop urging Chicagoans to tell Nielsen Media Research to stop their plans to rollout a flawed a TV ratings system that undercounts African Americans and Latinos. Despite vocal protests from the community, Nielsen intends to forge ahead and rollout the biased Local People Meters (LPMs) in Chicago.

Studies show that the system undercounts the viewing habits and preferences of African Americans and Latinos which has a direct impact on what TV programs stay on the air and what programs get cancelled. If Nielsen launches the system tomorrow, minorities across Chicago will lose their voice in deciding what programs they watch on TV.

During the last few months, a groundswell of Chicago community groups, elected officials and media experts have joined together calling on Nielsen to stop using the flawed technology until the system is fixed and accurately counts all viewers, specifically African Americans and Latinos.

“Human TVs” were stationed at Nielsen headquarters (200 W. Jackson), Daley Plaza, the Thompson Center, El stops and at high-traffic corners throughout the Loop. Dressed in t-shirts that read “Stop Nielsen” and played off LPMs by stating “Local People Matter,” these “Human TVs” walked around with cell phones in hand urging passersby to call Nielsen offices in
Chicago and New York to demand a fair and unbiased television ratings system.

Hundreds of Chicagoans called Nielsen on-the-spot to say that until Nielsen has a system that counts all ethnic groups, their system is not welcomed in Chicago.

“Nielsen has a responsibility to fairly and accurately represent the viewing preferences of all people,” said 1st Ward Alderman Manny Flores. “Instead, Nielsen is relying on a faulty system that undercounts significant segments of our society, undermining the entire ratings system.”