Changes in Ratings Patterns for Prime Time Before, During, and After the Introduction of the People Meter

The introduction of the People Meter permanently changed the demographics and the overall ratings for broadcast networks on all days and in all time slots. The ratings drop was a one time only event, followed by a return to patterns very close to those, existing before the meter. The meter did not treat all networks or program types equally. It appears to have favored ABC and to have caused some of the worst rating drops in some of the networks' most heavily used program types.