A system for characterizing an audience can comprise instruments that monitor representative audience members for media exposure and an engine that deduces information about the audience as a whole. A set of instruments can monitor each representative audience member's media exposure. An in-home instrument, such as a set top box or a hand-held remote control, can monitor exposure to in-home television and radio. An in-vehicle instrument can monitor billboard and onboard radio exposure. A manual instrument, such as a diary, can monitor other media exposure. The engine can process exposure data from the instruments for each monitored member to form a comprehensive media exposure profile of venue and system targeted ("VAST") ratings. The profile can segment exposure according to delivery system, media type, and venue. The engine can extrapolate the data obtained for each monitored member to provide segmented exposure and demographic information about the audience as a whole.