Is BARB the people who provide you with a box and a 'zapper' which somehow connects to your TV and records details of your viewing.
But I would have thought your own particular viewing tastes would not matter because they will be looking for a wide cross section of viewing tastes.

I agree.... surely it's as much use to them to know what you don't watch, as what you do...

never heard of it, but if its a join if u want 2 then surely it will be a selective result?

I thought the same Brisket, it's how they get their audience viewing figures isn't it?

cant reflect on the total viewers though if it relies on viewers joining. there must be some other source that they get viewing figures from surely?

I used to wonder how they got the figures, I presumed they had a way of finding out digitally somehow when individual shows were aired, but have been told a few times now it's because of these box things that are voluntary. Seems crazy I know but when you think the population of the UK is approx 60 million and the top rated shows average 8 million or so it seems like a valid enough theory.

I'm sure panel homes are selected via a multi-stage, stratified and un-clustered sample design so that the panel is representative of all television households across the whole of the UK.

Oh absolutely innit dough bruv!

Blimey! I'm impressed!  

But how come they've never asked any of us?

I'm not interlekshual enuff and I only watch a pile of shite 

A friend of mine has the box and clicker thing...she's had it years

You should be.

'Copy and paste' is a skill, y'know!

My brother has been on the BARB panel for years. If you look on the FAQ page shown on the site, you will get more info as to what is involved. My brother hardly notices the box thingy. The BARB people may sometimes ring just to check that the data they are collecting is real, particularly if it looks odd, and the only time they would visit is when an engineer is needed to repair or replace the equipment.

You can stay in the panel as long as you want. You don't have to do anything if you go away. You don't get paid for this, but you do get gift vouchers from a choice of places, from time to time (don't know how often and how much though)

It does not matter what television you watch as BARB get their data from every member. The data is merged together so others can't see what their neighbour has been watching. Members are chosen at random to make sure that a wide range of viewers are included. That is why no-one can apply to become a member - BARB has to contact you.

Worra blaady LIBERTY! 

Well exactly.  That was my concern wot wiv being so 'ighbrow as we is 'ere. 

Yeah - you have to be asked I'm told. About 5,000 homes across the UK are on the panel and the total UK viewing figures are taken from that panel which apparently cover a wide social range. So there was clearly an opening for middle aged, middle class single parent with delusions of intelligence and 2 stroppy teenagers.  

Apparently the little remote thingy will have settings for me, son and daughter (and one for guests). My main concern is the liklihood that son would take a fancy to some late night porn channel and watch it under my name. 

I just wanted to make sure they seemed OK. I knew someone here would know someone with a horror story about them if they weren't. So I'm going to take Croc and El Loro's assurance it's OK. Apparently vouchers etc are about £300/year.

Hahahahaha!