The Most Watched Shows on DVR

As the use of the DVR has increased in recent years so has its impact on the way networks and advertisers consider the success of a program. Oftentimes a show may have middling ratings but because Nielson does not incorporate DVR’d showings into those numbers they have been forced to pull them them separately. Some shows and demographics get strong numbers from recorded viewings which are counted into DVR ratings as long as they are watched within one week of the original broadcast.

Having the numbers from DVRs provides insight into which shows have a following that, whether it be due to the type of people who watch it or the competition it faces in its original time slot, do not watch the original airing. Fringe has been shown to have the largest % of viewership coming from DVRs which makes sense given it goes up against insurmountable competition in The Office, CSI, and Greys Anatomy.

The top 10 below is from the week of Sept 28-Oct 4 and is sorted in order of the increase seen in 18-49 demo ratings when including DVR calculations. The percentage displayed is how much of the total viewership comes from DVR showings. Check out more at TV By the Numbers.

1- Grey’s Anatomy (ABC) 19%
2- House (FOX) 18%
3- CSI (CBS) 21%
4- The Office (NBC) 20%
5- The Mentalist (CBS) 21%
6- Glee (FOX) 21%
7- Fringe (FOX) 28%
8- Private Practice (ABC) 16%
9- FlashForward (ABC) 20%
10- Heroes (NBC) 24%