PPV

Abbreviation with 3 meanings

PPV
Stands forPositive predictive value
Meanings3
CategoriesUnits & Measurements, Arts & Entertainment, Government & Politics

PPV has three meanings. The most common are Positive predictive value (statistics) and Pay-per-view (film, television and theater); it can also stand for Positive pressure ventilation.

Meanings of PPV at a glance

#PPV stands forContext
1Positive predictive valueUnits & Measurements › Statistics
2Pay-per-viewArts & Entertainment › Film, Television and Theater
3Positive pressure ventilationGovernment & Politics › Emergency Services

1. Positive predictive value

Units & Measurements · Statistics Abbreviations · also used in medicine

The probability that a positive test result is truly positive: true positives divided by all positive results. Unlike sensitivity, it depends strongly on how common the condition is in the tested population.

Example: With 1 percent prevalence, a test with 95 percent sensitivity and specificity has a PPV of only about 16 percent.

Machine learning calls it precision. PPV rises with prevalence, which is why positive screening results in low-risk groups are confirmed with a second test. Bayes' theorem links PPV to sensitivity, specificity and prevalence.

2. Pay-per-view

Arts & Entertainment · Film, Television and Theater Abbreviations

Model in which viewers pay a one-time fee to watch a specific live event or program, most often boxing, MMA and wrestling. PPV events are sold through cable, satellite and streaming platforms.

Example: The heavyweight fight costs $79.99 on PPV.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. versus Manny Pacquiao in 2015 drew about 4.6 million US pay-per-view buys, the record. WWE replaced the term with "premium live events" after moving its events to streaming. Many UFC pay-per-views now sell through streaming apps.

3. Positive pressure ventilation

Government & Politics · Emergency Services Abbreviations

Firefighting technique that uses powerful fans at a doorway to push smoke and heat out of a building through a planned exit opening. PPV improves visibility and conditions for victims and firefighters when coordinated with fire attack.

Example: Set up PPV at the front door once the exhaust window is open.

Poorly timed ventilation can feed oxygen to a fire and cause rapid growth, so modern fireground research emphasizes coordination. Gas-powered and battery fans are used. Hydraulic ventilation using hose streams is an alternative.

More statistics abbreviations

  • PCA – Principal component analysis
  • PDF – Probability density function
  • PI – Prediction interval
  • PMF – Probability mass function
  • Q1 – First quartile
  • Q3 – Third quartile
  • QQ – Quantile-quantile (plot)
  • r – Pearson correlation coefficient

See all 88 statistics abbreviations →

More film, television and theater abbreviations

  • PA – Production assistant
  • PG – Parental Guidance Suggested
  • PG-13 – Parents Strongly Cautioned
  • POV – Point of view
  • SFX – Sound effects
  • SL – Stage left
  • SM – Stage manager
  • SNL – Saturday Night Live

See all 63 film, television and theater abbreviations →