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    How do TV ratings work?

    TV ratings tell us the all important audiences numbers for all the programs on linear TV. Audience numbers are also available for Broadcaster Video on Demand (BVOD).

    Television audiences in Australia are measured by OzTAM and RegionalTAM while for figures for Broadcaster Video on Demand (BVOD) come from Video Player Measurement (VPM).

    TV audience measurement

    OzTAM is the official source of television audience measurement for the five mainland metropolitan markets in Australia – Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth – and nationally for subscription TV. 

    OzTAM TV ratings are audience estimates that are based on actual viewing behaviour of 5,250 homes in Australian metro cities. The homes provide a representative sample of the Australian population and when the TV in these homes is switched on, the meter lights up and asks who is watching. Viewers log in and out when they enter or leave the room and the meter gauges all TVs within the home.

    Click here to learn more about OzTAM.

    RegionalTAM is the ratings provider for television audience measured in regional Australia. RegionalTAM represents panel homes in Queensland, Northern NSW, Southern NSW, Victoria, Tasmania and Western Australia. There are currently 3,198 homes (Queensland 812, Northern NSW 700, Southern NSW 570, Victoria 651, Tasmania 285 and Regional West Australia 180) representing a potential audience of 7,859,300 individuals. 

    Click here to learn more about RegionalTAM.

    Broadcaster Video on Demand (BVOD)

    In addition to broadcast TV viewing, Australians today are embracing new technologies and new ways to watch their favourite TV shows.  OzTAM is now able to capture BVOD (catch-up TV and live streaming) via the Video Player Measurement service (VPM).

    The VPM service captures minute-by-minute data on participating broadcasters’ online TV content played on-demand (catch up) or live-streamed to connected devices such as tablets, smartphones, smart TVs, laptops and games consoles.

    For a full overview of Australia’s TV consumption habits, download ThinkTV’s latest Fact Pack.

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