"Broadcasters are bound to ratings with chains of gold which they are reluctant to break..." —Oren Harris, House of Representatives

This comprehensive exploration of the evolution of broadcast ratings documents the experiences of ratings pioneers from past to present as they have developed a standardized network and local market ratings vocabulary. Buzzard traces the rise of Nielsen and Arbitron to their present position of dominance in the ratings business and also ties conceptual changes in the methods and terminology used to measure audiences to advertising and marketing and the competitive factors that shaped them.