Which shows do DVR users favor? Nielsen knows
DVR users, as you know if you have one, rarely watch any program live. Sporting events may be the only exception. Nielsen now measures DVR use, and today they sent this list of programs that are most time-shifted. The measurements, which don’t include VCRs, count viewership up to seven days from the original telecast. The first list shows the increase in households (add 000 to each number). The second list shows the largest percentage increase; percentage benefits low-rated shows most.
Top 10 Time-Shifted TV Programs in 2008
Ranked by Increase in Households
Rank Programs Network Difference in Households (000)
1 American Idol/Tuesday Fox 2153
2 American Idol/Wednesday Fox 1945
3 Heroes NBC 1832
4 Lost ABC 1793
5 Fringe FOX 1602
6 House FOX 1454
7 The Mentalist CBS 1445
8 Survivor: Gabon CBS 1396
9 Grey’s Anatomy ABC 1358
10 Bones Fox 1331
Source: The Nielsen Company
Top 10 Time-Shifted Prime-time Programs
Ranked by Percent of Difference
1 Battlestar Galactica Sci Fi 53%
2 Burn Notice USA 37%
3 Heroes NBC 35%
3 90210 CW 35%
3 Sanctuary Sci Fi 35%
6 Eureka Sci Fi 34%
7 My Boys TBS 32%
8 Psych USA 29%
9 In Plain Sight USA 28%
10 America’s Top Model CW 27%
10 Fringe Fox 27%
10 The Starter Wife USA 27%
10 The Office NBC 27%
Source: The Nielsen Company
I dont think there are any shows that I actually watch live anymore unless I happen to catch them by accident. I prefer to record all my favs like The Office, 30 Rock, Lost, American Idol, etc. and then watch them after the kids go to bed and without commercials - much more enjoyable!
I would give up my cell phone before I gave up my DVR.
Californication.
Am I the only person in this town who watches this great show???
Don’t have a DVR because there’s not much I’d use it for…mainly the Saturday night Channel 9 block from 5-8 pm and then probably this old house hour on KETC-HD then probably COPS and law & order wherever they happen to be on.
We have the Season Pass for newer shows like 30 Rock, Top Chef, The Henry Rollins Show and Family Guy as well as older shows like WKRP, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, Seinfeld, Will & Grace and Frasier.
Walker, Texas Ranger on Hallmark and on USA. BEST. SHOW. EVER. (other than The Wire)
Without a DVR, I would never have the opportunity to see most television shows. I have a 5 year old and a 2 year old, and with them, life is happening, not television.
After the kids hit the sack, it’s “Two and a Half Men”. Every episode, new, old, it doesn’t matter. I also started watching and recording “How I Met Your Mother” and “The Big Bang Theory”. “Scrubs” reruns on WGN used to be on the list, but I now have every season (except 7) on DVD. I’ll have to add the new season when it starts next month.
“Corner Gas” on WGN is another one. This Canadian comedy is a cross between “Seinfeld” and “Green Acres” if you can imagine that. I have seen every episode WGN shows thanks to the miracle of DVR.
The new season of “Nip/Tuck” will also be on this list, although last season was a bit ridiculous. I will have to see if it warrants my time this coming year. Were it not for this economy, I would still have Showtime and DVR “Dexter”, but I will have to wait for the season 3 DVD’s now. Such is life…
The only show I DVR that is on this list is The Office. Good lord, I now realize I am old and unhip.
Steve,
I notice none of the premium channels (HBO or SHO) are listed. Probably less subscribers = less likely to make Nielsen’s list.
i actually use my DVR to mostly record shows that i’ve seen and are on all the time. for instance, south park, futurama, the simpsons, seinfeld. i’ve already seen every episode of every show, BUT it’s always good to have a few on hand. for instance, if you get home from work and you flip on your TV and there is absolutely nothing on (happens more than you’d think, even with every channel charter offers), you can just throw on a futurama. OR, if you are in the other room cooking, or picking up things around your apartment. you aren’t “watching” the TV, but it’s on. i like to put on something that i can occasionally pop in and laugh at a joke while i’m doing something else that is occupying most of my attention.
oh yeah, also, i’m a horder. i have entire seasons of shows saved on my DVR so i can go back and watch an old one. i have scrubs eps from 2 seasons ago, a radiohead concert that was aired on MHD 6 months ago, and the entire 4th season of “always sunny” saved on my DVR. i am one of the few people who chooses NOT to delete a show after watching it. i have one of the new charter DVRs (NOT a moxi), and it usually hovers around 60-70% full.
The only shows I have on ’series record’ are “Days of our Lives” (for my wife) and “Frazier” re-runs on channel 30. I like to have a couple of movies on the DVR for ‘rainy nights’, but lately the fare on all of the premium channels has been miserable.