For the third week of the season (October 5-11), both Smallville and Dollhouse, received more than a 40% boost from DVR viewing. Of course, because of their low Live+SD ratings, those absolute increases were quite small, not even in the top 25 absolute increases for the week.
Thursday, Friday and 10pm shows continue to keep the DVRs spinning. Heroes is the only top 10 % increase show not in those groups.
Among absolute ratings increases for broadcast shows, there was little to surprise us. The two Live+SD top rated scripted shows for the week, Grey’s Anatomy and House were also the biggest absolute ratings gainers after DVR viewing, and in exactly the same amount!
Disclaimer: all the numbers we have seen point to a scenario where the additional days of DVR viewing beyond the Live+SD numbers play almost no role in a shows’ fate. In a recent conversation with the head of research for a broadcast network he agreed that perhaps 10% of the viewing beyond the Live+SD period serves to increase the C+3 commercial ratings that are used to price advertising.
Note that the tables below contain adults 18-49 demo program ratings, not millions of viewers.
To see previous weeks most DVR’d TV Shows lists click here.
Those of you interested in DVR viewing numbers might enjoy:
When Do DVR’d Shows Get Watched? Same Night or After?
Doing My Part To Combat DVR Misinformation
Largest 18-49 Demo Increase From DVR Viewing for Broadcast TV Shows (October 5-11):
| Rank | Programs | Net | 18-49 Live+SD (rating) | 18-49 Live+7 (rating) | Post Airdate 18-49 Ratings Increase | Post Airdate Increase from DVR Viewing | % of All Viewing By DVR Post Airdate |
| 1 | SMALLVILLE | CW | 0.9 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 44% | 31% |
| 2 | DOLLHOUSE | FOX | 1.0 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 40% | 29% |
| 3 | FRINGE | FOX | 2.2 | 3.0 | 0.8 | 36% | 27% |
| 4 | CASTLE | ABC | 2.2 | 2.9 | 0.7 | 32% | 24% |
| 5 | NUMB3RS | CBS | 1.6 | 2.1 | 0.5 | 31% | 24% |
| 6 | MENTALIST, THE | CBS | 3.3 | 4.3 | 1.0 | 30% | 23% |
| 7 | FLASHFORWARD | ABC | 3.0 | 3.9 | 0.9 | 30% | 23% |
| 8 | VAMPIRE DIARIES | CW | 1.7 | 2.2 | 0.5 | 29% | 23% |
| 9 | HEROES | NBC | 2.4 | 3.1 | 0.7 | 29% | 23% |
| 10 | FLASHFORWARD SP-10/9 | ABC | 0.7 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 29% | 22% |
| 11 | BONES | FOX | 2.9 | 3.7 | 0.8 | 28% | 22% |
| 12 | GLEE | FOX | 3.3 | 4.2 | 0.9 | 27% | 21% |
| 13 | GOSSIP GIRL | CW | 1.1 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 27% | 21% |
| 14 | LAW AND ORDER:SVU | NBC | 2.6 | 3.3 | 0.7 | 27% | 21% |
| 15 | LAW AND ORDER | NBC | 1.5 | 1.9 | 0.4 | 27% | 21% |
| 16 | COMMUNITY | NBC | 1.9 | 2.4 | 0.5 | 26% | 21% |
| 17 | HOUSE | FOX | 5.4 | 6.8 | 1.4 | 26% | 21% |
| 18 | GREY’S ANATOMY | ABC | 5.4 | 6.8 | 1.4 | 26% | 21% |
| 19 | CSI | CBS | 3.5 | 4.4 | 0.9 | 26% | 20% |
| 20 | OFFICE | NBC | 4.8 | 6.0 | 1.2 | 25% | 20% |
| 21 | 90210 | CW | 1.2 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 25% | 20% |
| 22 | MELROSE PLACE-ENC | CW | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 25% | 20% |
| 23 | PRIVATE PRACTICE | ABC | 3.7 | 4.6 | 0.9 | 24% | 20% |
| 24 | GHOST WHISPERER | CBS | 2.2 | 2.7 | 0.5 | 23% | 19% |
| 25 | MELROSE PLACE | CW | 0.9 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 22% | 18% |
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The 18-49 Demo Increase From DVR Viewing ranks which of the top broadcast shows [by Live+7 viewers] had the largest absolute adults 18-49 ratings increase in viewing by DVR in their adults 18-49 Live+7 audience numbers from viewers watching shows after the airdate on their digital video recorders (DVRs).
Largest 18-49 Demo Percentage Increase From DVR Viewing for Broadcast TV Shows (October 5-11):
| Rank | Programs | Net | 18-49 Live+SD (rating) | 18-49 Live+7 (rating) | Post Airdate 18-49 Ratings Increase | Post Airdate Increase from DVR Viewing | % of All Viewing By DVR Post Airdate |
| 1 | HOUSE | FOX | 5.4 | 6.8 | 1.4 | 26% | 21% |
| 2 | GREY’S ANATOMY | ABC | 5.4 | 6.8 | 1.4 | 26% | 21% |
| 3 | OFFICE | NBC | 4.8 | 6.0 | 1.2 | 25% | 20% |
| 4 | MENTALIST, THE | CBS | 3.3 | 4.3 | 1.0 | 30% | 23% |
| 5 | GLEE | FOX | 3.3 | 4.2 | 0.9 | 27% | 21% |
| 6 | CSI | CBS | 3.5 | 4.4 | 0.9 | 26% | 20% |
| 7 | FLASHFORWARD | ABC | 3.0 | 3.9 | 0.9 | 30% | 23% |
| 8 | BIG BANG THEORY, THE | CBS | 4.7 | 5.6 | 0.9 | 19% | 16% |
| 9 | PRIVATE PRACTICE | ABC | 3.7 | 4.6 | 0.9 | 24% | 20% |
| 10 | BONES | FOX | 2.9 | 3.7 | 0.8 | 28% | 22% |
| 11 | NCIS | CBS | 4.3 | 5.1 | 0.8 | 19% | 16% |
| 12 | FRINGE | FOX | 2.2 | 3.0 | 0.8 | 36% | 27% |
| 13 | DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES | ABC | 4.6 | 5.3 | 0.7 | 15% | 13% |
| 14 | HEROES | NBC | 2.4 | 3.1 | 0.7 | 29% | 23% |
| 15 | HELL’S KITCHEN | FOX | 3.3 | 4.0 | 0.7 | 21% | 18% |
| 16 | SURVIVOR: SAMOA | CBS | 3.4 | 4.1 | 0.7 | 21% | 17% |
| 17 | MODERN FAMILY | ABC | 3.4 | 4.1 | 0.7 | 21% | 17% |
| 18 | CRIMINAL MINDS | CBS | 3.6 | 4.3 | 0.7 | 19% | 16% |
| 19 | LAW AND ORDER:SVU | NBC | 2.6 | 3.3 | 0.7 | 27% | 21% |
| 20 | CASTLE | ABC | 2.2 | 2.9 | 0.7 | 32% | 24% |
| 21 | CSI: MIAMI | CBS | 3.9 | 4.6 | 0.7 | 18% | 15% |
| 22 | TWO AND A HALF MEN | CBS | 4.4 | 5.1 | 0.7 | 16% | 14% |
| 23 | FAMILY GUY | FOX | 4.6 | 5.2 | 0.6 | 13% | 12% |
| 24 | HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER | CBS | 3.4 | 4.0 | 0.6 | 18% | 15% |
| 25 | LIE TO ME | FOX | 3.1 | 3.7 | 0.6 | 19% | 16% |
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The 18-49 Demo % Increase From DVR Viewing ranks which of the top broadcast shows [by Live+7 viewers] had the largest percentage adults 18-49 ratings increase in viewing by DVR in their adults 18-49 Live+7 audience numbers from viewers watching shows after the airdate on their digital video recorders (DVRs).
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Definitions:
DVR (Time-shifted) Viewing – Program ratings for national sources are produced in three streams of data –Live, Live+Same Day (Live+SD) and Live+7 Day. Time shifted figures account for incremental viewing that takes place with DVRs. Live+Same Day(Live+SD) include viewing during the same broadcast day as the original telecast, with a cut-off of 3:00AM local time when meters transmit daily viewing to Nielsen for processing. Live+7 Day ratings include incremental viewing that takes place during the 7 days following a telecast.
DVR Viewers Past Airdate - How many people watched the show on their DVRs within 7 days following the airdate
% of All Viewing By DVR Past Airdate - Of the total viewing of that particular episode, what percentage was done via DVR.
Because of emerging practices in the TV media, and our access to the relevant data, we’re making a pretty fundamental change in the way we present DVR data. Up until the 2009-2010 season, we used the show’s Live program rating or viewership as the base upon which the Live+7 day DVR viewing was added. Now, the press seems to be standardizing around using Live+Same Day DVR viewing as the base for the calculations, plus our access to Live ratings is somewhat erratic and restricted. While there are both positive and negative aspects to basing increases on Live+SD, after discussion, Robert and I decided to make the change.
Nielsen TV Ratings Data:©2009 The Nielsen Company. All Rights Reserved.
One question about the DVR ratings. When we get the overnights, does that count just the people who watched live or people who watched the show at somepoint that night?
erm okay the melrose place encore had a bigger DVR boost then the original airings…..is tuesday @ 9 a particulary busy timeslot then?
the overnight live+SD (and weekly Live+SD) counts anyone who watched live and anyone who watched on DVR up to 3am the following morning.
oh or is it the smaller the numbers the bigger the % increase…i’ll stop answering my own questions now……
Mickey, it did not have a bigger boost, it merely had a larger percentage increase because the numbers were so small. In absolute terms the first airing got twice as much boost.
Dollhouse will at least get to show the rest of the episodes, so I’m happy. It’s always good to see Fringe doing good and Smallville only has about 1 more season left anyway. FlashForward is doing great too.
Thanks Rob, I find that sort of confusing to be honest. As an Advertiser you think they would only care about who actually watches live. I know when I watch with a PVR, I FF through the commercials.
Advertisers and networks have agreed to buy/sell ads based on C3 data (average commercial viewing, rather than average program viewing, live plus 3 days of DVR).
Our experience is that most people skip the ads most of the time via DVR, but advertisers have agreed to pay for the ones who don’t for up to 3 days after the show aired.
I may be in the minority, but I think for a show that’s been on for 9 seasons now, the writers of Smallville aren’t doing a half bad job of keeping the show fairly interesting. I doubt if in the beginning they every thought the show would go on as long as it has. Has it been “better” in past seasons? Sure. But it’s still a lot more watchable that a number of the other programs on today.
I watched smallville for about 3 seasons … might have to go back and watch the rest someday. I heard it got pretty poor tho … soap operish I think.
Community’s jump to a 2.4 is promising, considering that night it was up against a baseball game.
TVBTN guys, do you think Fringe’s large DVR bump will make any difference in its chances for renewal (which seem good but it has some chance of cancellation given its drop)?
do networks care about live + seven?…that’s not going to save a show. Studios should as it may tell if there is a fan base for potential dvd sales once it is cancelled.
did we ever post the season to date C3 year-to-year comparisons for all 5 nets…can we do a separate posting for that? I must have missed it, sorry!!
TY, we have never received C3 ratings directly. Occasionally, typically at the start of a season, we see press reports (or direct Nielsen reports on their site) with the C3 ratings for the top 20 shows for premiere week. If any other site is getting C3 numbers they’re not publishing them, so I doubt we are alone.
Where did Supernatural end up on the DVR lists? Didn’t make it into the top 25, I see.
shoot…got it. thanks!
Thanks for the Smallville pic! I was getting tired of seeing Dollhouse pics.LOL
CW Press Release says, Smallville’s live+7 viewer total is 3.02mil.
Is that correct? Sounds about right.
Is the absolute viewer list available yet? I saw CBS & CW posted releases. Also, I read somewhere that the full numbers (Live + 7) are put into each series Season to Date average. Is that true? If so, what’s the rationale since I didn’t think they mattered to advertisers?
i don’t like the percentage stats, as both shows are so low a very small gain gives a high percentage, they are not even close to the top 25 shows DVRed
meaning that a show like NCIS needs a huge 1.7 increrase to its 4.3 to get 40% increase, that is more than the the rating for dollhouse or smallville after the DVR increase.
To Robert or Bill: Is there any Live+7 info on Eastwick?
The biggest question here: are House and GA going to track each other the entire season? You’d swear they have the exact same audience.
I am confused why the networks would schedule a show tailored for youth on Thursday and Friday nights when those are two of the three nights the youth most likely would be out on the town. Of course they are going to DVR those shows because they are not home.
i am both a House and Greys fan
What interests me is the type of DVR viewer. I see a break down
1) DVR everything and only watch things on the DVR from the backlog of shows. Preselects shows by planing what they want to watch.
2) Uses the DVR to record shows when they would miss a show but watch most TV live, occasionally pause. Traditional timeshift aka VCR.
3) The kids use the DVR and the parents don’t have a clue. Sports, reality TV doesn’t work for DVRS.
Given that DVR penetration is what? 40% I thought most people where in category 1 but it looks like most are in category 2. What catregory are you in. I in category 1.
DVR penetration was 31.5% as of September according to Nielsen (homes, might be a little higher for people).
“I may be in the minority, but I think for a show that’s been on for 9 seasons now, the writers of Smallville aren’t doing a half bad job of keeping the show fairly interesting.”
Totally. Most shows don’t last that long and if they do, they usually suck by then. I’m having a hard time thinking of many that were still good after 9 seasons (the Simpsons, I guess. Was Cheers still good after 9? M*A*S*H? There are probably more but they’re the exception, not the rule).
@kariato,
I generally fall into a combo of your 1st & 2nd groups. I record or VOD nearly every show I watch and then pick and choose when I want to watch something. However, sometimes I will do a slight timeshift and wait until about 20 minutes into a show (10 for a half-hour) to start watching. This means I can skip through all the ads quickly and basically be live at the end of an hour. So if a show starts at 8, I might start watching another recording (from that night or another) by 7:40 so I’m not actually wasting time waiting.
Also, if I’m going to miss a sporting event, I’ll record it and fast forward through the game. For football, enabling the short skip function on Moto DVRs (about 10-15 secs I think) enables me to basically hit a button at the end of each play and get to the next play perfectly. Makes it easy to ignore all those national anchors who are too obvious or too timid in their comments to be worth hearing.
@Jim
The question networks ask isn’t “when should we show youth shows?” but “what should we show on Friday?” Networks typically air “youth” oriented programming every night (Vampire Diaries, Glee); and even “older” fare is still broadly appealing to youths (House, Grey’s Anatomy).
So what should they show on Friday — some random show that is targeted purely to a small/frugal demographic, or more “youth” programming?
Moreover, the broad appeal shows may be more appealing to youths than the “youth-targeted” shows. HIMYM pulled in a higher share than Heroes, for example, although the former is arguably an “older” show.
@Rob/Bill — do we have more targeted numbers for the “younger” demos for Friday night? I’m curious how something like Dollhouse stacks up against Medium for the “younger” market… or am I just not digging enough.
chaos, we get more detailed *overnight* demographic data only for Sunday-Thursday nights owing to the fact that the network folks take Saturday and Sunday off.
But we get weekly data on Tuesdays for every night from the previous week. On 10/16 Dollhouse didn’t air and I seem to have lost my spreadsheet that covered the week including 10/9.
For 10/2 in the “teen” demo here are the 9pm Live+SD ratings/share (little love for Dollhouse among the youngsters either)
MANANA PARA SIEMPRE FRI(PAE) 1.4 / 6
FORGOTTEN SP-10/2, THE(SR) 0.3^ / 2^
MEDIUM 0.7 / 3
DATELINE FRI(PAE) 0.3^ / 2^
DOLLHOUSE(PAE) 0.3^ / 1^
AMERICA’S TOP MODEL7-ENC(R) 0.5^ / 2^
OK this is prob a stupid question but what does the ENC mean next Melrose Place
Also do you have the final figures for MP with its live airing and DVR numbers combined
Thank you kindly
ENC = encore = repeat = rerun
The Live+7 number above include all viewing Nielsen measures.
Thanks, Bill. The numbers are consistent with what I had expected.
I’m not saying this to knock DH (as I like the show), but it seems to me that networks are probably generally better off with shows that have a broad appeal than that are youth-targeted. Broader-appeal shows like “Medium”, whose target demos you would expect to skew somewhat older, seem to attract youths as well or better, by these numbers than a younger-skewed show like “Dollhouse”. So what makes a youth-targeted show a youth-targeted show seems to be more it’s ability to discourage older viewers than it’s ability to draw younger ones.
As it stands, I don’t think any network would put a “niche” (even if that “niche” was “youth”) show like Dollhouse on a night besides Friday. If it were cable, this would be a different story, as they are already dealing with submarkets. But for networks, it seems that if you had to arrange a schedule of youth-programming and broad-appeal programming, the broad-appeal programming takes dominance for the Mon-Thu slots.
And, as stated previously, I don’t see any of the Mon-Thu programs as discouraging of younger viewers. Certainly if there was “old-people-only” *cough*Dateline*cough* programming it would probably go to Friday too.
Ghost Whisperer rose to 2.7, practically the same demo this time it had last year right? I wonder if it could pull 2.5 on overnights soon
And wow at The Office with 6.0!
40% of piddly still ain’t much.
Why is Castle, a show in a very accessible time slot, benefitting so greatly from DVR viewing? Any ideas?
Unless I’m flipping or using the TV as background, I DVR to my PC and then watch it later skipping commercials. Unless it’s a show I really love like Castle for example, I won’t watch live but will wait until the show is over and then watch my recording. Unless it’s a show that I’m dedicated to like Castle and I’m watching live, I flip to another station during the commercials and then flip back.
Robert,
How do advertisers know if someone is skipping through the commercials via DVR?
Again, with the DVR Fringe is moving to a 3.0 or more… the time slot is killing the live viewing
Flashforward gets to 3.9, close to its 4.1 premiere
Carol,
Currently, Nielsen doesn’t measure every commercial spot, but rather the average commercial viewing during a show (across all commercials in the show) for live plus three days DVR viewing. According to Nielsen time spent “skipping through the commercials” is not counted in those C3 numbers, and it is also excluded from the program viewing numbers above (so if you were a Nielsen home and you watched a one hour program but skipped through 15 minutes of commercials/credits/etc, you’d count as .75 of a viewer rather than 1).
Flash Forward doing well I see
Law & Order got a nice bump from DVR’s. If sustained, might it be enough to persuade NBC to consider Season 21?
I program my DVR for shows I want to see and then watch later. I can’t think of any series that I watch live, I let them get at least 30 minutes into the show before I will start watching. Have to say that I do go back and watch some commercials but they have to be very good and some of the commercials are better than the shows they are in. Make them funny with an animal and I will watch.lol
Since I am not connected to any survey box how does when I watch a show matter or get counted?
Smallville pic! Nice.
Thanks for the information. Good to see it holding steady for that Friday night on CW.
Can’t we have viewers ?
You’re so boring with your 18-49 obsession
Amen Jane!
What about Supernatural? How much did it gain?
Hey i was just wondering well this has nothing to do with DVr or anythin but will Dollhouse stil air eps over the next few weeks in the Uk as normal or will they be yanked as well?
Robert, we haven’t heard the UK schedule for Dollhouse. It would be interesting if it aired there first, but I assume it won’t.
Ok thanks those Summer Glau eps look good i just cant wait 5 or 6 week to see them.