Which audience analysis measurements, principles and techniques are most effective, and why?

Polling is one very essential audience analysis method. This is an accurate way to extract information from the general public on what they prefer. With the numerous media sources out there the competition is strong and media companies will do anything to protect their businesses. Probability sampling has allowed companies to narrow down percentages to within five percent. By taking the so called perfect number from a group demographic, this allows the company to accurately determine what they're polling. One very accurate way is metering. You can volunteer yourself for metering and you receive money for doing so. If you do volunteer for it your TV is monitored throughout the day and everything you watch is put down to determine what kinds of programs interest you. This determines the difference between what shows Men and Women prefer and children and adults prefer. This is an accurate way to measure audiences interests.