When ratings results are released, the first instinct is to react emotionally. Then the chain reaction occurs. Initial celebration turns to overanalysis. Then comes anxiety. Anxiety turns to finger-pointing. Finger-pointing turns into bad decisions. That cycle usually starts because stations assume a logical explanation for how ratings move. But there are many forces that move ratings, and each can cause significant fluctuations.
Steve Allan, Programming Research Consultant at Research Director, Inc. has identified four specific ways ratings are commonly influenced.
