What method is used to determine the ratings for a TV program?

The method to determine the ratings for a TV program is based on the proportion of viewers relative to a defined universe of potential viewers. Specifically, the correct approach involves calculating the percentage of viewers by taking the number of viewers who watched a specific program and dividing that by the total universe of potential viewers, then multiplying by 100 to get a percentage.

This metric provides insight into how well a program performs in attracting its audience compared to the total audience available, which is essential for advertising and programming decisions. Ratings provide a clear and standardized way of measuring viewership against the overall market size, enabling networks and advertisers to gauge the popularity and audience reach of a given program.

The other methods presented do not accurately represent how ratings are generally calculated, as they focus on different metrics that do not give a straightforward percentage of the total audience.