Television Preview
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Market research |
| Headquarters | Evansville , United States |
| Products | Audience evaluation of television pilots and commercials |
| Parent | ArsGroup (via RSC the Quality Measurement Company) |
Television Preview—also referred to as "New TV Preview"—is a market research firm specializing in evaluating television pilots, with its main focus on assessing audience responses to commercials displayed in a setting designed to mimic a typical home environment between pilot episodes. Headquartered in Evansville, Indiana, this company functions as a branch of RSC the Quality Measurement Company, which belongs to the ArsGroup. Although participants are not compensated, they are often given misleading information regarding the true purpose of the surveys. The organization has no connections to actual television producers, and the "pilots" shown are frequently several years old. Viewers are asked to rate commercials and choose preferred consumer products under the guise of selecting prizes.
The process
Invitations and tickets for viewing sessions—usually held in hotel conference rooms—are distributed by Television Preview, with participants being led to believe their input will shape upcoming television content:
In fact, attendees watch outdated pilots that were never developed further and provide straightforward ratings. Following this, they fill out comprehensive questionnaires covering their buying behaviors, brand loyalties, and product usage patterns.
The programs
The screenings generally present two series: the 1997 drama Soulmates featuring Kim Raver and the 1990 comedy City starring Valerie Harper. Participants are informed either that Harper is attempting a career revival or that screenwriter Paul Haggis intends to revise the show based on audience feedback. Other pilots included in these sessions have featured Dads, a 1997 comedy with C. Thomas Howell and Steven Eckholdt.
Associated companies
Soon after attending the viewings, participants often receive follow-up phone calls from Datascension, a California-based company that conducts further surveys related to the screening experience. This firm is recognized for its frequent and persistent calling if initial contact attempts do not succeed.