This will likely have little effect on the numbers we see (and publish) because almost all of them are national ratings numbers, but I know that local broadcasters/advertisers have been clamoring for some DVR viewing measurement of local shows. Although, I thought that they were asking for the same C+3 commercial ratings measurement that's done on a national basis. I'm sure there are some commenters who may know more about this.
Nielsen will unveil its Live + Same Day ratings in January in an effort to best represent viewing in the age of the DVR. The ratings giant solicited client feedback in September, and has planned the new ratings as a response to its customers' concerns about measuring viewership in the DVR era. Research showed that a large chunk of DVR playback occurred within an hour of the live airing.
via Broadcasting & Cable.
they asked for “L3″, but got this instead.
http://tvbythenumbers.com/2009/09/09/nielsen-adding-livesd-data-for-local-markets/26618
Actually this may be of interest if you want to examine a regional preference for certain shows, for example to people in the Northeast prefer comedies or Sci-Fi shows to people in the mountain states who prefer Medical Dramas, etc.
Basically, how different are the viewing habits region to region in general? Could be worth a look or two, obviously not regularly. I guess you’d have to pick a city that best exemplifies a region and use that, for example pick Boston for the Northeast, Atlanta for the South, St. Louis for the Midwest, and so on.