Do news outlets know when you change the channel?

No, they don’t know if you change the channel. And news isn’t about ratings unless news outlets can scoop the competition.

Maybe if you are using a Roku or “Smart” TV and don’t opt out of the “spy the bejeezus out of you” default settings.

^LOL

The channels themselves do not. The cable companies, should they choose to log this information, do have access to channel change information. Almost all cable providers do digital delivery, which means that changing the channel sends an internet message to the digital head end. If the choose to log this information, it’s there.

@elbanditoroso
Who can access this information? In terms of Politicians?

@Inspired_2write – good question, and it would be up to each cable company to determine.

I think it’s more the corporate analysts who report their findings to the corporate people who sponsor and string-pull the political parties, rather than the parties’ chosen politicians themselves, who do something with that information.

If you are connected by cable – yes they know. If you are watching over the air (antenna) they do not .