NEW YORK (AP) — “Mad Men” and “True Blood” both have a big influence on popular culture. But television ratings show how it’s possible to overestimate their reach.

The Nielsen Co. said Tuesday that an estimated 5.2 million people watched the fifth season premiere of “True Blood” on HBO on Sunday, down 4 percent from the 2011 season debut. “Mad Men” concluded its fifth season on AMC before 2.7 million, up 11 percent from last year’s finale.