Comparing these two metrics, the two lists were markedly different, with 5 shows appearing in the Networked Insights Top 10 that did not make the Nielsen Ratings:
Personally, I watch a grand total of 0 of these shows (minus Sunday Night Football), so I’ll let Networked Insights explain some of the findings:
(1) Two and a Half Men has a strong hold on the top spot among online audiences, but is a distant fifth in the Nielsen ratings. Strong online engagement is due to Two and a Half Men’s “quote following” -- a high level of interaction around specific quotes from the show
(2) Networked Insights’ second highest rated show, Criminal Minds, does not appear on the Nielsen top 10 list, likely due to the psychological nature of the show, and complex criminal storylines
(3)Likewise, the second highest rated show on Nielsen’s list, Desperate Housewives, has very low engagement among the online audience due to the lack of passion and pain in the shows content
Anecdotally, I would say that these findings are consistent with much of what I’ve seen online. Frankly, I’m surprised Family Guy isn’t even higher on the Network Insight’s list, given the incredibly strong video sharing and quoting that seems to go on around the show. Earlier this year, we also saw the return of Jericho to TV after CBS canceled it, apparently due to a tremendous uproar from online fans.