Um...you can just read the Nielsen sheet.
What was fictional? You are just vomiting psychobabble at this point. Coping mechanisms.
I WAS a Nielson rater. That entire system is ANTIQUATED as soon as video on demand and set-top boxes became a thing. And it's TRUE. If FNC was AIRING the proceedings in a window on their final control room switcher with NO AUDIO -- does that count as a VIEWER of the proceedings?
Nielson ratings are more INEXACT they ever were...