• For the TV having the split screen capability, please write "split screen or picture-in-picture" in any white space in the front of the diary.




• For the program showing that also has the sound (audio) on; enter in your diary the TV program, call letters, and channel number and mark "X" and draw lines down under the names of persons watching or listening.




• For the program showing without the sound on, enter the channel name, number, the name of program or movie, and indicate that you are watching it on a split screen in the back of the diary as shown below.

By your notes in the diary, we will identify both programs for inclusion in our report.  It is important for us to include "watching & listening" or "just watching" or "just listening" use of a TV.

Inoperable TV - TV Out of Order

I have two televisions, but one is broken.  I received two diaries.  What should I do?
Check the box in question #3 in Step 1 indicating that the TV is broken on the first page of one of the diaries and answer the other questions in Steps 1-3.  Return that diary at the same time you mail the diary filled out with TV viewing entries from the working TV.  Be sure to fill in the answer to question #2 "How many of these are in working order?".
Note: If the broken TV is repaired during the diary week and there is viewing on that set, no matter how much, it is very important for us to collect that viewing information.  Please enter your viewing and on those days where the TV was broken, please write "TV OUT OF ORDER" on those pages. 


I have only one TV and it is broken.  Should I send the diary back to Nielsen?
Yes, if there is any TV viewing in your household, no matter how much, it is very important for us to collect the information.  The current viewing habits of your household will be gathered and combined with that from other TV homes in your community.  Should there be no viewing during the survey week, please fill out the questions in Steps 1-3 of the diary and mark on the first page of the diary "NO VIEWING".  Please be sure to check the box in question #3 indicating that your TV is broken on the first page of the diary.  Then return all diaries that you received.
Note: If the broken TV is repaired during the diary week and there is viewing on that set, no matter how much, it is very important for us to collect that viewing information.  Please enter your viewing and on those days where the TV was broken, please write "TV OUT OF ORDER" on those pages. 


TV Connected to Computer

My TV is connected to a computer.  What should I enter in the diary?
Please write "THIS TV IS ONLY USED AS A COMPUTER MONITOR" in Step 1 in the diary.  Answer the questions in the diary and return to Nielsen.  If there are times that you watch TV programs on this TV, enter this viewing in the diary.  Be sure to mark any days that the TV is used as a computer monitor accordingly.


I use my computer to watch television (i.e., computer with a TV card installed).  How do I record what I watch on my computer?
At this time, Nielsen does not measure TV viewing that occurs on computers.  Please do not enter what you watch via a computer.


TV Connected to Video Games

What do I write in the diary if the TV is sometimes used with a computer or video games?
Write "Playing video games" on the program name line next to the time period(s) that you are playing video games.  Enter regular TV viewing according to the instructions in the diary.  Return all diaries mailed to you even if there was no TV viewing entered.


What should I write if I am viewing a video game channel?
If you were viewing a video game channel, you should record information in the same way you would if viewing any other channel.


Multiple TV Sets

How should the diaries be filled out if two televisions are on, but only one of them is being watched?
For the TV that is on and not being watched or listened to, put an "X" in the "TV ON" column and an "X" in the "no one watching or listening" column.  Draw lines down to indicate how long the set was on.  Please enter the channel name, number, call letters, and name of program, if known.  If someone is listening, but not watching, enter the channel name, number, call letters, and name of program and put an "X" in the column of the household member who is listening.  Make regular diary entries for the TV that is being watched in the diary for that TV.
Note: For any entry to be properly identified and credited when we receive the diary back, we need to know the channel name, number, the name of the program or movie and the persons watching.  When an "X" is entered under a person's name, this is an indication that the person "started" to watch that program.  When the vertical line is drawn down under the "X," it indicates the duration of the time that the person watched, for example, 15 minutes, one-half hour, one hour or more, etc.


What if I have two TVs on, and am watching both of them at the same time, how should the diaries be completed?
Write in each diary what is playing on each TV set and mark an "X" in the column of the person who is watching the programs. 


I received a diary for each television in my home, but I seldom watch one of the sets.  Should I return the blank diary or discard it?
For the TV that is seldom used, please put one of the diaries with it for the survey week, just in case it is used.  If it is not used, then write "No Viewing" on the diary cover or in some white space in the diary for that TV and return that diary with the others to Nielsen.  By doing this, you let us know that we have captured all the TV viewing that occurred in your home during the survey week.


No Longer Have Television Set

I no longer have a TV. What should I do with the diary?
Please write "No TV" on the diary cover or in some blank space in the diary. Please return the diary to Nielsen. When we receive your diary back, we will know that your home didn't refuse to participate in our survey, but that you no longer have a TV to report any television viewing.


Sound Only - No Picture

My TV has sound, but no picture. Do I fill out the diary for listening only?
Yes, but only if you or any other household member listens to TV programs.  Please fill in call letters, channel number and program name (if possible).  Mark an "X" and draw a line down under the names of persons to show how long listening occurred for each program.

What if I am listening to radio broadcast/cable stereo/digital radio?
If you receive radio broadcasts or stereo music via cable or satellite, please mark an "X" in the "TV ON" column.  Write in the channel tuned to if known (whether cable or other).  Then write, "listening to music or radio program" in the program name column, and mark an "X" under the name of person(s) listening.  Draw lines under these entries to indicate duration of listening time.  Write in as much description of the broadcast as possible.