transcription, транскрипция: [ swi:p ]
noun (Lifestyle and Leisure) In the US, a survey of the popularity of radio and television shows, especially for the Nielsen index of popularity ratings; often in the plural, as the sweeps: the designated times during the year when these surveys are carried out. Etymology: A specialized use of sweep in its established figurative sense of 'a comprehensive search or pass over something'. History and Usage: The Nielsen rating system for radio and television programmes in the US dates from the early fifties, but the practice of carrying out a sweep during particular weeks of the year (called a sweep week) does not seem to have started until the seventies. In the second half of the seventies and the eighties, there was considerable public interest in the sweeps, especially since certain channels appeared to be putting on the best and most popular shows at this time (a practice which is actually against the rules, but difficult to prove). Channel 7...dominated the local Nielsen news ratings during the May 'sweeps'. New York Times 2 June 1982, section C, p. 26 Demographic ratings for children 2 to 11 will not be available until after the November sweeps. Advertising Age 10 Nov. 1986, p. 32