Hi, my question is very simple. Exactly how are television ratings measured, and is there any possible way the numbers can be fudged to make a show more popular than it actually is? – Pat

Amber: The answer is actually very complicated. In Canada, BBM is the official measurement bureau for ratings and they use something called a Portable People Meter. It’s basically a pager that you can sign up to carry around with you and it will pick up TV signals for anything you happen to be watching, no matter where you are. The meter is a new gadget that hasn’t even been in effect for a year yet, and already we’re seeing an interesting shift in viewing trends, not to mention higher overall numbers.

In the U.S., Nielsen dishes out the numbers, but they use stagnant receivers to indicate what the TV is playing at any given time. I believe DVR ratings are included in that number, but only if the series is watched within a certain timeframe (like a week or less).

So while it would be hard for the numbers to be fudged, there are definite flaws in the systems, and no one seems to have a solution. Not only do both systems only poll a select group of viewers, but with the increase of new technologies and ways to view programs, there are many other factors that still need to be included.

Dear Amber, when will Being Erica return? Actress Erin Karpluk makes my day. If it is not returning, could you please let me know if Miss Karpluk will be working elsewhere on TV? Thank you. – Paul

Amber: I spoke with series creator and executive producer Jana Sinyor and here’s what she had to say:

“It has not been confirmed, but we’re feeling extremely optimistic about it,” she says. “We’re working hard in development. We’ve written scripts and our fingers are crossed, feeling very confident about it, but I can’t confirm anything right now.”

In the meantime, if you want to see Karpluk, I hope you subscribe to The CW. She’s joined new series Life Unexpected in a recurring role beginning in Episode 6.

There's one Canadian show I've never seen you write about: Heartland. I found this show by accident and watched a few episodes on TV. The rest of the season is on Heartland's webpage and I have been stuck on it ever since. Can you provide any information about this show? – Carrie

Amber: That’s true, I don’t often write about Heartland — I guess people just never ask about it! However, you've inspired me to write a piece on Canadian shows (and where the heck they've landed!). Check it out here.

Hi Amber, I am a fan of both Stargate Atlantis and Eureka. Are they returning? I rediscovered Eureka on Space, but lost it again after just a few episodes. Atlantis seems to only resurface occasionally. Are they done? On hiatus? What gives? Thanks. – Melanie

Amber: Let’s start with Atlantis. The series wrapped up last year after a five-season run, so what you’re catching on Space is probably repeats. Have you checked out the new franchise series, Stargate Universe? That series has been renewed for a sophomore season and will return this fall.

Eureka was also renewed and its fourth season is set to begin at some point before the summer in the U.S. Space will probably air it here in Canada come fall, but the network hasn’t made any announcements yet.

I love Columbo, which starred Peter Falk. I’m not sure if you were alive then, but I am looking for the series on DVD. How would I get it? – Daniel

Amber: I actually have a picture of Columbo hanging in my cubicle, thank you very much. I used to watch the show with my father and will always have a soft spot for it.

The first seven seasons of the series have been released on DVD – you can check out the Amazon.ca listings here. Additionally, Universal Home Video has released two movie collections starring the bumbling detective.


Hi Amber! Due to children and life in general, I haven't been able to catch all of the Castle episodes I've wanted to. And, since it airs on ABC, I can't watch them online. I don't want to wait until summer to catch up – is there somewhere I can get a written description of the episodes? Will Canadians ever be able to watch them online?  Thanks. – Heidi

Amber: Oh no, that’s terrible. How come you haven’t invested in a DVR yet? Best thing I ever did in life (I realize that says a lot about my life). Anyhow, the only thing I can tell you is to read up on the episodes on the official Castle/ABC site. I’ve double-checked and A doesn’t air them online here either.

Hi Amber, I have been busy with work on Mondays and have just spent the past week in the hospital. Where is How I Met Your Mother? Please don't tell me it has disappeared with no conclusion. – Harold

Amber: I’m sorry to hear that — hope everything is OK. The series still anchors Monday nights at 8 p.m. ET on CBS, but Citytv, which airs the series here, won’t air the show until March (Thursday nights at 10 p.m. ET, to be exact).

Hi Amber, are any Canadian channels airing Life Unexpected? Thanks. – Natasha

Amber: No plans right now, but if the series takes off I’m sure somebody will be looking into it.

Hi Amber, I have Bell TV and I’m desperately looking for Season 2 of Durham County with no luck. I have heard people with Rogers’ subscriptions are watching it. Will Bell TV air Season 2 sometime soon? Thanks. – Angie

Amber: Durham County airs on The Movie Network, so if you want to watch the show you have to subscribe — no matter which carrier you use. The Movie Network On Demand currently houses the show on Rogers, which is perhaps why you’ve been hearing of those subscribers watching it. If you have a subscription for The Movie Network on Bell TV though, you can watch it online for free here.

Hi Amber, when will Season 4 of Dexter be available on DVD? Thank you. – Nancy

Amber: No official date yet, but probably sometime in the summer before Season 5 begins this fall.

Hi Amber, is Las Vegas finished – even the reruns? Thanks. – Elmer

Amber: Yuppers, Vegas is no more.

That's all for this week!

What's your question? amber@tvguide.ca

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Make sure to check back Mondays at www.tvguide.ca to see if your questions have been answered!

 

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A TV junkie, Amber will watch just about anything – once. One of her biggest pet peeves is when networks bounce shows around their schedule, leading to an eventual cancellation. While current gems include The Big Bang Theory, The Office, Dexter, True Blood, House, Lost and The Mentalist, she’s still crying over the cancellations of Kitchen Confidential and Pushing Daisies.

Now Amber devotes her time to analyzing the current state of TV and helping readers dissect complicated schedules. She’ll answer a variety of questions about past and present shows, spoilers and casting: anything is — and should be, up for discussion.

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