Network TV Sex as a Counter programming Strategy during a Sweeps Period: An Analysis of Content and Ratings

Abstract

A common assumption in the TV industry is that, “Where there's sweeps, there's sure to be sex.” This study tested that assumption by conducting a content analysis of sexual behaviors in ABC, Fox, and NBC prime-time programs during the February 1992 sweeps period, when CBS was carrying the Winter Olympics. The random sample consisted of nineteen evenings (fifty-six hours of programs). The three networks carried 12.10 sexual behaviors per hour during the sweeps period, up slightly from 11.99 per hour during a fall 1991 nonsweeps period. An additional 5.04 sexual behaviors per hour were presented in the promos for prime-time programs. Unmarried sex was the predominant type of sex, and disapprovals of unmarried sex were rare. Pregnancy, AIDS, and other STDs were seldom shown or mentioned. Correlations between sexual behaviors and ratings produced either nonsignificant or negative results. The study concluded that where there are sweeps, there may or may not be more sex, depending on which network one is analyzing. ABC cut its number of sexual behaviors per hour by almost half, while Fox more than doubled its rate per hour.