OzTAM is the official source of television ratings for all metropolitan TV and nationally for Subscription TV.

ASSISTANCE IN READING OzTAM REPORTS

When you receive a report/table/press release that contains OzTAM data, the following key facts need to be considered and mentioned in conjunction with the data.

  • type of markets where the data was collected from
  • date/date-range the figures refer to
  • one episode vs. multiple episodes of the same program
  • whole day vs. a part of the day (eg. 0600-2400; 1800-2230; 1800-2400 etc)
  • demographic group
  • statistics/parameters of measure (eg. Audience, Reach, Share etc.)
  • program start-time: as scheduled vs. as aired

To correctly and accurately read OzTAM data, it is important to identify the key facts; the following questions will assist you in identifying them.

Q1. Does the data relate to one or more of the Metropolitan markets (mainland capital cities) OR to the National Subscription TV market?

Q2. What date/date-range are the figures referring to? Is it one particular date, OR does it cover a date-range such as a whole week or over a year?

Q3. When data is referring to a particular program - is it for just one episode of the program or an average across multiple episodes? Do they include repeated telecasts?

Q4. If the figures do not refer to programs - are they analysing the whole day or just a certain part of the day?

Q5. What demographic group(s) are the figures in the report for; particular age/gender/occupation group, Total People including guests or Total People excluding guests?

Q6. Is it Audience OR Reach that is presented? (see also terms and definitions)

Q7. If the figure indicates a SHARE% - what type of Share is it? Share of all viewing, Share of Free-to-Air viewing? (see also terms and definitions)

Q8. Does the data refer to a program that aired less then a business day ago? If yes, then you should take into account that program figures might have been calculated as per the scheduled time (as planned) and not as it actually went on air on the day; which could deliver different results. (OzTAM releases the updated program logs as provided by the Free-to-air networks and Subscription TV channels, the second business day after broadcast.)

For further questions contact OzTAM: + 61 2 9929 7210 or email: info@oztam.com.au