PBS Enters Nielsen Ratings Race

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After years of being content with monthly reports regarding viewership, PBS has decided to go full-bore and is subscribing to full-time tv ratings from the Nielsen Co.

The subscription began with Ken Burns' documentary on National Parks, which aired in September and October, and drew 5.5 million viewers on average per episode. PBS is not looking at overnight ratings, but rather, weekly ratings of its programming.

"TUOL" hopes PBS is not tempted to resort to "Sweeps Week" gimmicks such as partial nudity on "Sesame Street" or a Charlie Rose lookalike contest, now that it has joined the Nielsen family.

PBS: Fund-raising, tote bags-yes, Religion-no

Member stations are prohibited from airing new religious programming, but existing "sectarian" shows may continue, The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) board voted yesterday.

Although PBS stations must show noncommercial, nonpartisan, nonsectarian programming, the latter has been loosely interpreted. Based on yesterday's vote, the Mormon Church-affiliated KBYU in Salt Lake City, Catholic diocese-run KMBH in Harlingen, Texas, and Catholic lay organization operated WLAE in New Orleans, for example, may continue to air current religious lectures and local church services.

PBS stations may air religious programs on digital tv stations and Web sites provided the stations don't include PBS brand identification or include PBS programs, the board voted.

Now that PBS has addressed religious zealots, it should do something about Dr. Deepak Chopra and personal finance zealot Suze Orman.