How to Collect Audience Data from Linear TV: A Broadcaster’s Guide for 2025

TV has always been a mass medium—but until now, it couldn’t talk back. 

In 2025, that’s changing. Thanks to innovations in interactive technology, broadcasters can finally collect first-party, real-time viewer data from traditional linear programming—without invading privacy, installing new hardware, or disrupting the viewer experience. 

In this post, we’ll explore how to turn passive viewers into data-rich participants, what kind of data you can collect, and how this changes your value proposition to advertisers forever. 

Why Data Matters in Linear TV 

Advertisers crave targeting, personalization, and proof of performance. Until recently, linear TV couldn't deliver: 

• No individual engagement data 
• No real-time interaction signals 
• No easy attribution 

Now, broadcasters using Qapture can change that—capturing opt-in behavioral data during shows, live events, and ads. 

How It Works 

1. Embed a scannable Qapture code into any show or ad 
2. Viewers scan it with their phones—no app needed 
3. System collects interaction data in real-time 
4. Broadcaster receives dashboards + CSV reports 
5. Data can be shared with advertisers or used for internal programming decisions 

Business Benefits of Data Collection 

• Increase ad CPMs with targeting capabilities 
• Improve content based on viewer actions 
• Offer “data-as-a-service” packages to brands 
• Run real-time A/B tests on content or ads 

Want to unlock your linear TV data? 
Let us show you how Qapture delivers real-time audience analytics without disrupting your broadcast flow.