Likely because it was on at 8pm and in conflict with typical viewing patterns, The Office special episode on April 9 nearly doubled its 18-49 demo when DVR viewing is added in, increasing by 94%.
In other notable DVR news for the week of April 6-12, Tuesday's American Idol reached nearly 5 million average viewers via DVR, a milestone that I'd bet falls before the end of this season. Enjoy browsing the other DVR viewing stats for the week.
Note that the first table below contains adults 18-49 demo program ratings, and the other two contain average viewership data.
To see past weeks DVR viewing 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:
| Rank | Programs | Net | 18-49 Live (rating) | 18-49 Live+SD (rating) | 18-49 Live+7 (rating) | Increase From DVR Viewing | % of All Viewing By DVR | % of DVR Viewing On Airdate |
| 1 | OFFICE 4/9(S) | NBC | 2.23 | 3.39 | 4.32 | 94% | 48% | 56% |
| 2 | HEROES | NBC | 2.00 | 2.65 | 3.61 | 81% | 45% | 40% |
| 3 | TERMINATOR: SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES | FOX | 0.98 | 1.27 | 1.76 | 80% | 44% | 37% |
| 4 | DOLLHOUSE | FOX | 1.08 | 1.39 | 1.87 | 73% | 42% | 39% |
| 5 | LOST | ABC | 2.78 | 3.84 | 4.79 | 72% | 42% | 53% |
| 6 | OFFICE | NBC | 2.94 | 3.97 | 5.03 | 71% | 42% | 49% |
| 7 | 90210 | CW | 0.84 | 1.08 | 1.40 | 67% | 40% | 43% |
| 8 | LIFE | NBC | 1.09 | 1.30 | 1.74 | 60% | 37% | 32% |
| 9 | HOUSE | FOX | 3.93 | 5.06 | 6.18 | 57% | 36% | 50% |
| 10 | Bones | FOX | 2.06 | 2.47 | 3.18 | 54% | 35% | 37% |
| 11 | 30 Rock | NBC | 2.54 | 3.13 | 3.84 | 51% | 34% | 45% |
| 12 | Chuck | NBC | 1.77 | 2.15 | 2.63 | 49% | 33% | 44% |
| 13 | SCRUBS-WED 8PM | ABC | 1.60 | 1.88 | 2.36 | 48% | 32% | 37% |
| 14 | FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS | NBC | 1.03 | 1.23 | 1.51 | 47% | 32% | 42% |
| 15 | Parks and Recreation | NBC | 2.45 | 3.03 | 3.59 | 47% | 32% | 51% |
| 16 | REAPER | CW | 0.73 | 0.88 | 1.06 | 45% | 31% | 45% |
| 17 | AMERICA'S Top Model | CW | 1.41 | 1.73 | 2.01 | 43% | 30% | 53% |
| 18 | 24 | FOX | 3.13 | 3.77 | 4.46 | 42% | 30% | 48% |
| 19 | SURVIVOR: TOCANTINS | CBS | 2.72 | 3.44 | 3.87 | 42% | 30% | 63% |
| 20 | FRINGE | FOX | 3.30 | 3.99 | 4.68 | 42% | 29% | 50% |
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The 18-49 Demo Increase From DVR Viewing ranks which of the Top 150 broadcast shows [by Live+7 viewers] had the % of increase in viewing by DVR in their adults 18-49 Live+7 audience numbers from viewers watching shows later on their digital video recorders (DVRs).
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Largest DVR Audiences for Broadcast TV Shows:
| Rank | Programs | Net | Persons Live (000s) | Persons Live+SD (000s) | Persons Live+7 (000s) | Same Day DVR Viewers (000s) | Total DVR Viewers (000s) | % of All Viewing By DVR | % of DVR Viewing On Airdate |
| 1 | American Idol-TUESDAY | FOX | 19,260 | 22,854 | 24,218 | 3,594 | 4,958 | 20.5% | 72.5% |
| 2 | HOUSE | FOX | 11,008 | 13,311 | 15,691 | 2,303 | 4,683 | 29.8% | 49.2% |
| 3 | American Idol-WEDNESDAY | FOX | 20,357 | 23,020 | 24,045 | 2,663 | 3,688 | 15.3% | 72.2% |
| 4 | LOST | ABC | 6,731 | 8,597 | 10,395 | 1,866 | 3,664 | 35.2% | 50.9% |
| 5 | OFFICE 4/9(S) | NBC | 5,450 | 7,310 | 8,770 | 1,860 | 3,320 | 37.9% | 56.0% |
| 6 | OFFICE | NBC | 6,407 | 8,044 | 9,663 | 1,637 | 3,256 | 33.7% | 50.3% |
| 7 | 24 | FOX | 9,586 | 11,003 | 12,722 | 1,417 | 3,136 | 24.7% | 45.2% |
| 8 | Mentalist, THE | CBS | 15,776 | 16,923 | 18,871 | 1,147 | 3,095 | 16.4% | 37.1% |
| 9 | NCIS | CBS | 16,321 | 17,807 | 19,328 | 1,486 | 3,007 | 15.6% | 49.4% |
| 10 | HEROES | NBC | 5,003 | 6,138 | 7,985 | 1,135 | 2,982 | 37.3% | 38.1% |
| 11 | FRINGE | FOX | 8,485 | 9,958 | 11,362 | 1,473 | 2,877 | 25.3% | 51.2% |
| 12 | CSI | CBS | 15,603 | 16,529 | 18,324 | 926 | 2,721 | 14.8% | 34.0% |
| 13 | Bones | FOX | 8,054 | 9,039 | 10,532 | 985 | 2,478 | 23.5% | 39.7% |
| 14 | SURVIVOR: TOCANTINS | CBS | 9,553 | 11,163 | 12,027 | 1,610 | 2,474 | 20.6% | 65.1% |
| 15 | Criminal Minds | CBS | 12,705 | 13,611 | 15,177 | 906 | 2,472 | 16.3% | 36.7% |
| 16 | 30 Rock | NBC | 5,825 | 6,758 | 8,019 | 933 | 2,194 | 27.4% | 42.5% |
| 17 | MEDIUM | NBC | 6,504 | 7,201 | 8,561 | 697 | 2,057 | 24.0% | 33.9% |
| 18 | HELL'S KITCHEN | FOX | 6,518 | 7,545 | 8,502 | 1,027 | 1,984 | 23.3% | 51.8% |
| 19 | Amazing Race (S)-4/12 | CBS | 9,335 | 10,572 | 11,287 | 1,237 | 1,952 | 17.3% | 63.4% |
| 20 | Dancing with the Stars | ABC | 18,577 | 19,906 | 20,508 | 1,329 | 1,931 | 9.4% | 68.8% |
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The Largest DVR Audiences ranks which of the Top 150 broadcast shows [by Live+7 viewers] had the largest number average viewers by DVR in their Live+7 audience numbers from viewers watching shows later on their digital video recorders (DVRs).
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Greatest % Of DVR Viewing for Broadcast TV Shows:
| Rank | Programs | Net | Persons Live (000s) | Persons Live+SD (000s) | Persons Live+7 (000s) | Same Day DVR Viewers (000s) | Total DVR Viewers (000s) | % of All Viewing By DVR | % of DVR Viewing On Airdate |
| 1 | OFFICE 4/9(S) | NBC | 5,450 | 7,310 | 8,770 | 1,860 | 3,320 | 37.9% | 56.0% |
| 2 | HEROES | NBC | 5,003 | 6,138 | 7,985 | 1,135 | 2,982 | 37.3% | 38.1% |
| 3 | 90210 | CW | 1,618 | 1,992 | 2,546 | 374 | 928 | 36.4% | 40.3% |
| 4 | LOST | ABC | 6,731 | 8,597 | 10,395 | 1,866 | 3,664 | 35.2% | 50.9% |
| 5 | TERMINATOR: SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES | FOX | 2,914 | 3,498 | 4,487 | 584 | 1,573 | 35.1% | 37.1% |
| 6 | DOLLHOUSE | FOX | 2,891 | 3,505 | 4,394 | 614 | 1,503 | 34.2% | 40.9% |
| 7 | OFFICE | NBC | 6,407 | 8,044 | 9,663 | 1,637 | 3,256 | 33.7% | 50.3% |
| 8 | HOUSE | FOX | 11,008 | 13,311 | 15,691 | 2,303 | 4,683 | 29.8% | 49.2% |
| 9 | 30 Rock | NBC | 5,825 | 6,758 | 8,019 | 933 | 2,194 | 27.4% | 42.5% |
| 10 | AMERICA'S Top Model | CW | 3,137 | 3,689 | 4,217 | 552 | 1,080 | 25.6% | 51.1% |
| 11 | FRINGE | FOX | 8,485 | 9,958 | 11,362 | 1,473 | 2,877 | 25.3% | 51.2% |
| 12 | REAPER | CW | 1,852 | 2,125 | 2,479 | 273 | 627 | 25.3% | 43.5% |
| 13 | LIFE | NBC | 4,213 | 4,629 | 5,627 | 416 | 1,414 | 25.1% | 29.4% |
| 14 | Parks and Recreation | NBC | 5,863 | 6,864 | 7,794 | 1,001 | 1,931 | 24.8% | 51.8% |
| 15 | Chuck | NBC | 5,427 | 6,105 | 7,203 | 678 | 1,776 | 24.7% | 38.2% |
| 16 | 24 | FOX | 9,586 | 11,003 | 12,722 | 1,417 | 3,136 | 24.7% | 45.2% |
| 17 | MEDIUM | NBC | 6,504 | 7,201 | 8,561 | 697 | 2,057 | 24.0% | 33.9% |
| 18 | SCRUBS-WED 8PM | ABC | 4,087 | 4,579 | 5,351 | 492 | 1,264 | 23.6% | 38.9% |
| 19 | Bones | FOX | 8,054 | 9,039 | 10,532 | 985 | 2,478 | 23.5% | 39.7% |
| 20 | HELL'S KITCHEN | FOX | 6,518 | 7,545 | 8,502 | 1,027 | 1,984 | 23.3% | 51.8% |
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The % of Total viewing by DVR table ranks which of the Top 150 broadcast shows [by Live+7 viewers] had thelargest % of viewing by DVR in their Live+7 audience numbers from viewers watching shows later on their digital video recorders (DVRs).
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 which are currently in approximately 24.4% of all U.S. TV households. 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.
Same Day DVR Viewers - How many people watched the show on their DVRs prior to 3AM the day following the airdate,
DVR Viewers - How many people watched the show on their DVRs within 7 days following the airdate
% of All Viewing By DVR - Of the total viewing of that particular episode, what percentage was done via DVR.
% of DVR Viewing On Airdate - Of the DVR viewing of that particular episode, what percentage was done prior to 3AM the day following the airdate.
Nielsen TV Ratings Data:©2009 The Nielsen Company. All Rights Reserved.
Nice initial showing on “demo % increase” for Parks And Recreation. Seems in line with 30 Rock, though nowhere near the stratospheric Office numbers.
Southland not on the list…
Southland was #39 on the 18-49 demo DVR increase list, here are the numbers, same columns as the first table.
SOUTHLAND NBC 2.89 3.15 3.68 27% 21% 33%
Bill, thanks for the info.
The 33% on airdate percentage is not worrying, as it’s been noted the 10pm shows tend to get hit hardest there. But only 27% over live viewing is far from great, right? But I guess #39 isn’t too bad compared to everything else.
A DVR viewing increase of 27% in the 18-49 demo vs. Live is slightly below the NBC average that week of 34%, but firmly in the middle range. Certainly more typical than remarkable.
Umm, Bill, is there something with the raw viewer totals for LIVE + SD viewing that’s a little off? Bones (I’m looking at the Final Ratings page on your site for FOX as I type this), it should be 9.007 million viewers not 9.039 as listed here. Terminator: the 3.469 million viewers was from the April 3rd episode. It’s 3.587 for April 10th. House, Dollhouse, 24, they’re all a little off. I know, minor details, just wondering why the difference between the FOX ratings page and here.
House ranks 2 in Largest Audiences DVRed ? wtf ?
What do they watch live ? Dancing With The Stars ?
@Godfather. I think it winds up being a question of how final is final, it is highly likely that Nielsen continues with revisions and tweaks, and that we simply do not see those tweaks until we see the DVR data.
Edit: I double checked both sources. The DVR data (used above) and the original final numbers posted for the week ending 4/12 on 4/14, and one definitely has 9.039 while the other has 9.007 for Bones. Both sources are Nielsen, so I think it’s definitely just some ongoing minor tweaks that occurred after 4/14. We’re talking about a 1/3rd of 1 percent-ish difference.
Godfather, good question. We get the numbers for our DVR calculations via a different source (and several weeks later) than those weekly final numbers. However, I cannot explain why there are differences, even small, between those numbers.
Edit: I like Robert’s answer better than mine!
Kikouwlol, speaking as a sample size of one, I watch nothing while House is being recorded.
just to clarify, Bill’s comment, the way we receive the information is different, but the source for both is the same. it’s Nielsen.
Umm, what’s the more accurate number then? I’m not trying to be a pain. I’m a Ph.D student who looks at a lot of data, so it’s habit to be as specific as possible, especially when you’ve got to calculated things down to nanograms (that’s 10 to the -9 grams).
*edit* Of course, you should post the data as a set regardless. It’s probably erroneous to swap out the Final Ratings numbers with the DVR numbers anyway because it’s two separate sets of information. I’m just curious as to what’s the more accurate number, because presumably Nielsen has an exact figure somewhere, correct?
Do “live + 7″ numbers matter to advertisers?
My guess is the more recent number is the more accurate number. On the other hand, I’d rather post numbers on 4/14 for the week ending 4/12 than post them on 4/29.
I always wonder if TV Execs think through DVR numbers like this. We all know they look at DVR numbers as insignificant (compared to totals), and don’t value the idea of people ‘fast-forwarding’ the commercials… but do they understand that high dvd numbers are an indication of possible scheduling battles they are loosing with competing networks?
I mean there are some nights I watch nothing, and others that I don’t have a 3-tuner DVR to tape 3 shows that air at once that I love.
Are TV Execs smart enough to realize that they might benefit by moving their high DVR shows to a more ‘sparce’ night and get those viewers as live demos?
Do you know what would be nice? a DVR numbers and 18-49 based on the night not overall for the week.
Hey Rob or Bill, could you please tell me the numbers of “Surviving Suburbia”, “The Unusuals”, “Harper’s Island”, “Southland” and “Friday Night Lights” (Persons Live in 000s, Persons Live+SD in 000s and Persons Live+7D in 000s)? I’m a real figures junkie
Thanks in advance!
miranda, all the other numbers we report on the site (except those in these DVR specific posts) contain Live+Same Day DVR viewing. That is, DVR viewing through 3am the next day. For most shows that tends to count ~40-60% of the total DVR viewing.
Dillon, Here are the numbers you asked about, these are all average viewers (not 18-49):
SURVIVING SUBURBIA ABC 10,951 11,258 11,565 307 614 5.3% 50.0%
SOUTHLAND NBC 9,223 9,775 11,123 552 1,900 17.1% 29.1%
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS NBC 3,610 4,116 4,644 506 1,034 22.3% 48.9%
Thanks, Bill! Now I’m satisfied