As expected, hit shows like “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Heroes” have seen a huge boost from seven-day DVR playback, getting millions of additional viewers.
But there is another group of shows also seeing substantial DVR boosts that gives greater insight into the minds of the device’s users. They are using their DVRs as true time-shifting devices, moving shows from inconvenient timeslots to fit their own schedules.
Those programs include ones that air on Friday nights, when many people are out and about and nowhere near a TV set, and at 10 p.m. on weeknights, past many early risers’ bedtimes.
NBC’s “Life,” for example, which airs at 10 p.m. Friday, saw a 35.7 percent kick in its adults 18-49 rating from live-plus-same-day to L+7, as seven-day playback ratings are called. It went from a 1.4 to a 1.9 rating and recorded the biggest jump for any broadcast show for the third week of the season, according to Nielsen data.
CBS’s “Ghost Whisperer” and “Numb3rs,” which both air on Friday, saw jumps of 14.8 percent and 13.6 percent, respectively, putting them among CBS’s top five biggest gainers.
The network’s biggest jumper, “CSI: Miami,” was one of several 10 p.m. shows across the Big Three to see substantial gains, rising 15 percent. ABC’s “Dirty Sexy Money,” which airs at 10 on Wednesday, soared 20 percent, while NBC’s “Lipstick Jungle,” in the same timeslot, was up 26.3 percent, even more than “Heroes,” the network’s biggest DVR gainer last season.
True, some of these shows are gaining from relatively small bases. “Lipstick” and “Money,” for example, still only cracked 2.4 ratings. But the greater significance is in giving media people insight into how DVRs are being used.
Though most Friday shows still have small viewership even with L+7 numbers, the DVR playback demonstrates that people are still interested in watching programs on the increasingly desolate night; they’re just not willing to stay home to do so.
And while there had been some concern about declining numbers for 10 p.m. programs over the past year, the DVR numbers indicate that the falloff isn’t as steep as had been feared. Viewers are committing to the shows, they’re just watching them a few days later.
That could help programs like “Money,” a second-year show that saw its ratings decline after going off the air for nine months due to the writers’ strike, secure a full-season order or at least a different, more viewer-friendly timeslot.
***
Meanwhile, in broadcast ratings for the week ended Oct. 26:
Among adults 18-49, Fox was first with a 3.6 average rating and a 10 share, followed by ABC and CBS at 3.0/8, NBC at 2.2/6, Univision at 1.7/5, CW at 1.0/3, MyNetworkTV at 0.6/2, Telemundo at 0.5/1, Telefutura at 0.3/1, and Ion and Azteca at 0.1/0.
Among adults 18-34, Fox was first with a 3.1 average rating and a 10 share, followed by ABC at 2.4/7, NBC at 2.0/6, CBS and Univision at 1.9/6, CW at 1.2/4, Telemundo at 0.6/2, MyNetworkTV at 0.5/1, Telefutura at 0.3/1, and Ion and Azteca at 0.1/0.
Among adults 25-54, Fox was first with a 4.2 average rating and an 11 share, followed by CBS at 3.9/10, ABC at 3.6/9, NBC at 2.5/6, Univision at 1.6/4, CW at 0.9/2, MyNetworkTV at 0.6/2 Telemundo at 0.5/1, Telefutura at 0.3/1, Ion at 0.2/0 and Azteca at 0.1/0.
Top five English-language Big Five shows (18-49s): 1. ABC’s “Desperate Housewives” 5.8; 2. Fox’s “House” 5.6; 3. CBS’s “CSI” 5.5; 4. ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” 5.4; Tie-5. CBS’s “Two and a Half Men” and Fox’s “World Series Game 4” 5.1.
Top five English-language Big Five shows (total viewers): 1. CBS’s “CSI” 19.49 million; 2. ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” 18.5 million; 3. CBS’s “NCIS” 17.23 million; 4. ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars Results” 16.35 million; 5. ABC’s “Desperate Housewives” 15.95 million.
Top five Live+7 English-language Big Five shows (households, week ended Oct. 12): 1. CBS’s “CSI” 14.9; 2. ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” 12.4; 3. ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” 11.3; 4. CBS’s “Criminal Minds” 11.1; Tie-5. CBS’s “CSI: NY” and “NCIS” 10.8.
Top five Live+7 English-language Big Five shows (18-49s, week ended Oct. 12): 1. CBS’s “CSI” 8.1; 2. ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” 6.9; 3. ABC’s “Desperate Housewives” 6.6; 4. CBS’s “Two and a Half Men” 5.6; 5. NBC’s “The Office” 5.5.
Show on the rise: “Dancing with the Stars Results,” ABC, Tuesday 9 p.m. The reality results show averaged a season-high 3.8 among viewers 18-49, up 15 percent from a 3.3 the previous week.
Show on the decline: “My Own Worst Enemy,” NBC, Monday 10 p.m. The new Christian Slater drama tumbled nearly 17 percent week-to-week among 18-49s, from a 3.0 to a 2.5.
|
WEEKLY PRIMETIME AVERAGES BY NETWORK
Ranked on Households
Week Ending October 26 |
|
Network
|
Households
|
People 2+
|
Adults 18-49
|
|
Rtg%
|
(000)
|
Shr
|
Rtg%
|
(000)
|
Shr
|
Rtg%
|
(000)
|
Shr
|
|
CBS
|
7.2
|
8270
|
12
|
3.9
|
11350
|
10
|
3.0
|
3950
|
8
|
|
FOX
|
6.7
|
7660
|
11
|
3.8
|
10870
|
10
|
3.6
|
4800
|
10
|
|
ABC
|
6.4
|
7380
|
10
|
3.4
|
9960
|
9
|
3.0
|
3980
|
8
|
|
NBC
|
3.9
|
4410
|
6
|
2.1
|
6100
|
5
|
2.2
|
2950
|
6
|
|
UNI
|
2.0
|
2330
|
3
|
1.4
|
4140
|
4
|
1.7
|
2200
|
5
|
|
CW
|
1.5
|
1670
|
2
|
0.8
|
2220
|
2
|
1.0
|
1310
|
3
|
|
MNT
|
1.0
|
1160
|
2
|
0.6
|
1640
|
1
|
0.6
|
770
|
2
|
|
TEL
|
0.6
|
730
|
1
|
0.4
|
1210
|
1
|
0.5
|
700
|
1
|
|
ION
|
0.4
|
410
|
1
|
0.2
|
530
|
0
|
0.1
|
160
|
0
|
|
TF
|
0.3
|
360
|
1
|
0.2
|
610
|
1
|
0.3
|
370
|
1
|
|
AZA
|
0.1
|
90
|
0
|
0.0
|
140
|
0
|
0.1
|
90
|
0
|
|
*
Each rating point is equivalent to
1. 145
million homes
Source: Nielsen Media Research
|
|
SEASON-TO-DATE PRIMETIME AVERAGES BY NETWORK
Ranked on Households
Week Ending October 26 |
|
Network
|
Households
|
People 2+
|
Adults 18-49
|
|
Rtg%
|
(000)
|
Shr
|
Rtg%
|
(000)
|
Shr
|
Rtg%
|
(000)
|
Shr
|
|
CBS
|
7.4
|
8420
|
12
|
4.0
|
11650
|
10
|
3.3
|
4340
|
9
|
|
ABC
|
6.7
|
7670
|
11
|
3.6
|
10390
|
9
|
3.2
|
4250
|
9
|
|
FOX
|
5.1
|
5890
|
8
|
2.9
|
8300
|
7
|
3.0
|
4000
|
8
|
|
NBC
|
4.8
|
5460
|
8
|
2.6
|
7590
|
7
|
2.9
|
3810
|
8
|
|
UNI
|
2.0
|
2240
|
3
|
1.3
|
3880
|
3
|
1.5
|
2040
|
4
|
|
CW
|
1.7
|
1890
|
3
|
0.9
|
2510
|
2
|
1.1
|
1500
|
3
|
|
MNT
|
1.0
|
1170
|
2
|
0.5
|
1590
|
1
|
0.5
|
730
|
1
|
|
TEL
|
0.6
|
670
|
1
|
0.4
|
1090
|
1
|
0.5
|
620
|
1
|
|
TF
|
0.3
|
380
|
1
|
0.2
|
620
|
1
|
0.3
|
380
|
1
|
|
ION
|
0.3
|
380
|
1
|
0.2
|
490
|
0
|
0.1
|
160
|
0
|
|
AZA
|
0.1
|
100
|
0
|
0.1
|
160
|
0
|
0.1
|
100
|
0
|
|
*
Each rating point is equivalent to
1. 145
million homes
Note: Season-to-date estimates are a weighted average of pre-TSV and Live+7 data, except for the most recent two weeks which are based Live+SD viewing.
Source: Nielsen Media Research
|
|
TOP 25 PROGRAMS – BROADCAST
Ranked on Households
Week Ending October 26 |
|
# |
PROGRAMS |
Net |
HOUSEHOLDS |
PERSONS 2+ |
|
Rtg% |
Shr |
(000) |
# |
Rtg% |
(000) |
|
1
|
DANCING WITH THE STARS
|
ABC
|
12.0
|
18
|
13723
|
2
|
6.4
|
18497
|
|
2
|
CSI
|
CBS
|
11.7
|
17
|
13403
|
1
|
6.7
|
19492
|
|
3
|
DANCING W/STARS RESULTS
|
ABC
|
10.7
|
16
|
12231
|
4
|
5.6
|
16350
|
|
3
|
NCIS
|
CBS
|
10.7
|
17
|
12257
|
3
|
5.9
|
17226
|
|
5
|
DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES
|
ABC
|
10.1
|
15
|
11620
|
5
|
5.5
|
15953
|
|
6
|
MENTALIST, THE
|
CBS
|
9.6
|
14
|
11026
|
6
|
5.3
|
15282
|
|
7
|
CRIMINAL MINDS
|
CBS
|
9.5
|
14
|
10838
|
8
|
5.2
|
15012
|
|
7
|
GREY'S ANATOMY-THU 9PM
|
ABC
|
9.5
|
14
|
10887
|
9
|
5.0
|
14451
|
|
9
|
FOX WORLD SERIES GAME 4(S)
|
FOX
|
9.3
|
15
|
10689
|
6
|
5.3
|
15479
|
|
10
|
CSI: NY
|
CBS
|
9.2
|
15
|
10577
|
9
|
5.0
|
14390
|
|
10
|
FOX WORLD SERIES GAME 1(S)
|
FOX
|
9.2
|
15
|
10480
|
9
|
5.0
|
14634
|
|
12
|
CSI:
MIAMI
|
CBS
|
8.9
|
15
|
10142
|
13
|
4.7
|
13505
|
|
12
|
TWO AND A HALF MEN
|
CBS
|
8.9
|
13
|
10150
|
9
|
5.0
|
14630
|
|
14
|
60 MINUTES
|
CBS
|
8.5
|
14
|
9740
|
18
|
4.4
|
12816
|
|
15
|
OT, THE
|
FOX
|
8.2
|
14
|
9396
|
14
|
4.6
|
13277
|
|
16
|
FOX WORLD SERIES GAME 2(S)
|
FOX
|
8.1
|
13
|
9263
|
18
|
4.4
|
12777
|
|
17
|
FOX WORLD SERIES GM4-PRE(S)
|
FOX
|
8.0
|
13
|
9135
|
16
|
4.5
|
13059
|
|
18
|
ELEVENTH HOUR
|
CBS
|
7.8
|
13
|
8955
|
21
|
4.1
|
11849
|
|
18
|
HOUSE
|
FOX
|
7.8
|
12
|
8951
|
16
|
4.5
|
13085
|
|
18
|
SURVIVOR:
GABON
|
CBS
|
7.8
|
12
|
8874
|
14
|
4.6
|
13309
|
|
21
|
WITHOUT A TRACE
|
CBS
|
7.7
|
13
|
8802
|
23
|
4.0
|
11629
|
|
22
|
COLD CASE
|
CBS
|
7.6
|
11
|
8722
|
21
|
4.1
|
11966
|
|
23
|
EXTREME MAKEOVER:HM ED-8P
|
ABC
|
7.3
|
11
|
8375
|
20
|
4.2
|
12257
|
|
24
|
BROTHERS & SISTERS
|
ABC
|
6.7
|
11
|
7661
|
26
|
3.4
|
9856
|
|
25
|
SAMANTHA WHO?
|
ABC
|
6.5
|
10
|
7416
|
30
|
3.3
|
9636
|
|
Source: Nielsen Media Research |
|
TOP 25 PROGRAMS – BROADCAST
Adults 18-49
Week Ending October 26 |
|
Rank |
Program |
Net |
Rtg% |
(000) |
|
1
|
DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES
|
ABC
|
5.8
|
7624
|
|
2
|
HOUSE
|
FOX
|
5.6
|
7389
|
|
3
|
CSI
|
CBS
|
5.5
|
7273
|
|
4
|
GREY'S ANATOMY-THU 9PM
|
ABC
|
5.4
|
7186
|
|
5
|
FOX WORLD SERIES GAME 4(S)
|
FOX
|
5.1
|
6675
|
|
5
|
TWO AND A HALF MEN
|
CBS
|
5.1
|
6712
|
|
7
|
OT, THE
|
FOX
|
5.0
|
6617
|
|
8
|
FOX WORLD SERIES GAME 1(S)
|
FOX
|
4.8
|
6305
|
|
9
|
FOX WORLD SERIES GM4-PRE(S)
|
FOX
|
4.4
|
5779
|
|
9
|
SURVIVOR:
GABON
|
CBS
|
4.4
|
5772
|
|
11
|
OFFICE
|
NBC
|
4.2
|
5494
|
|
12
|
CRIMINAL MINDS
|
CBS
|
4.1
|
5438
|
|
12
|
DANCING WITH THE STARS
|
ABC
|
4.1
|
5374
|
|
14
|
FOX WORLD SERIES GAME 2(S)
|
FOX
|
4.0
|
5324
|
|
14
|
HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER
|
CBS
|
4.0
|
5270
|
|
14
|
SNL:WKND UPDT 10/23(S)
|
NBC
|
4.0
|
5319
|
|
17
|
CSI: NY
|
CBS
|
3.9
|
5085
|
|
17
|
EXTREME MAKEOVER:HM ED-8P
|
ABC
|
3.9
|
5178
|
|
17
|
FRINGE
|
FOX
|
3.9
|
5167
|
|
17
|
HEROES
|
NBC
|
3.9
|
5194
|
|
21
|
CSI:
MIAMI
|
CBS
|
3.8
|
5056
|
|
21
|
DANCING W/STARS RESULTS
|
ABC
|
3.8
|
5055
|
|
23
|
NCIS
|
CBS
|
3.6
|
4788
|
|
23
|
SAT NIGHT FOOTBALL
|
ABC
|
3.6
|
4720
|
|
25
|
BIG BANG THEORY, THE
|
CBS
|
3.5
|
4631
|
|
25
|
LAW AND ORDER:SVU
|
NBC
|
3.5
|
4601
|
|
Source: Nielsen Media Research |
|
SPANISH-LANGUAGE TELEVISION (WEEKLY COLLAPSED)
Ranked on Households
Week Ending October 26 |
|
# |
PROGRAMS |
Net |
Rtg |
P2+ (000) |
|
1
|
FUEGO EN LA SANGRE M-F
|
UNI
|
22.5
|
5251
|
|
2
|
CUIDADO CON EL ANGEL M-F
|
UNI
|
21.0
|
4878
|
|
3
|
NOCHE 10 GORDO FLACA10/23(S)-10/23/2008
|
UNI
|
18.5
|
3928
|
|
4
|
QUERIDA ENEMIGA M-F
|
UNI
|
17.6
|
3800
|
|
5
|
SHOW SUENOS SANGRE MI SUN
|
UNI
|
17.1
|
3879
|
|
6
|
AQUI Y AHORA TUE
|
UNI
|
14.8
|
2788
|
|
7
|
ROSA
DE GUADALUPE THU-FRI
|
UNI
|
14.3
|
3710
|
|
8
|
DON FRANCISCO PRESENTA WE
|
UNI
|
14.0
|
2733
|
|
9
|
CRISTINA MON
|
UNI
|
13.9
|
2730
|
|
10
|
FUTBOL LIGA MEXICANA SUN
|
UNI
|
13.1
|
3295
|
|
11
|
SABADO GIGANTE SAT
|
UNI
|
12.0
|
2516
|
|
12
|
SN SENOS NO HAY PARAISO M-F
|
TEL
|
9.0
|
1938
|
|
13
|
ROSTRO DE ANALIA M-F
|
TEL
|
7.2
|
1493
|
|
14
|
DONA BARBARA M-F
|
TEL
|
4.6
|
948
|
|
15
|
CINE MILLONARIO
|
TEL
|
4.4
|
1220
|
|
16
|
12 CORAZONES M-F
|
TEL
|
3.8
|
769
|
|
17
|
LETRA Y MUSICA
|
TEL
|
3.7
|
695
|
|
18
|
CINE DE LAS ESTREL SUN
|
TF
|
3.6
|
969
|
|
19
|
CINE DE LAS ESTREL SAT 2
|
TF
|
3.5
|
778
|
|
20
|
MARAV MUNDO DISNEY 10/26(S)-10/26/2008
|
TEL
|
3.0
|
669
|
|
21
|
CINE DE LAS ESTRELLAS M-THU
|
TF
|
2.9
|
619
|
|
21
|
CINE DE LAS ESTREL SAT
|
TF
|
2.9
|
589
|
|
23
|
ESCANDALO TV EXTRA 2 SUN
|
TF
|
2.7
|
581
|
|
24
|
SOLO BOXEO TECATE FRI
|
TF
|
2.6
|
591
|
|
25
|
VIDEOS MAS ASOMBROSOS SUN
|
TF
|
2.5
|
532
|
|
Source: Nielsen Media Research |
|
HISPANIC ENGLISH-LANGUAGE VIEWING
Ranked on Households
Week Ending October 26 |
|
# |
PROGRAMS |
Net |
Rtg |
P2+(000) |
|
1
|
FOX WORLD SERIES GAME 1(S)-10/22/2008
|
FOX
|
6.8
|
1349
|
|
2
|
FOX WORLD SERIES GAME 4(S)-10/26/2008
|
FOX
|
6.4
|
1325
|
|
3
|
FOX WORLD SERIES GAME 2(S)-10/23/2008
|
FOX
|
5.7
|
1102
|
|
4
|
FOX WORLD SERIES GAME 3(S)-10/25/2008
|
FOX
|
5.3
|
948
|
|
5
|
DANCING W/STARS RESULTS
|
ABC
|
4.7
|
847
|
|
6
|
GREY'S ANATOMY-THU 9PM
|
ABC
|
4.6
|
887
|
|
6
|
DANCING WITH THE STARS
|
ABC
|
4.6
|
859
|
|
8
|
FOX WORLD SERIES GM4-PRE(S)-10/26/2008
|
FOX
|
4.5
|
891
|
|
9
|
CSI
|
CBS
|
4.3
|
846
|
|
10
|
FOX WORLD SERIES GM1-PRE(S)-10/22/2008
|
FOX
|
4.2
|
742
|
|
Source: Nielsen Media Research |
|
AFRICAN AMERICAN AUDIENCE ESTIMATES
Ranked on Households
Week Ending October 19
|
|
# |
PROGRAMS |
Net |
Rtg |
P2+(000) |
|
1
|
DANCING WITH THE STARS
|
ABC
|
11.8
|
2147
|
|
2
|
CSI
|
CBS
|
10.3
|
1935
|
|
3
|
CSI:
MIAMI
|
CBS
|
10.0
|
1797
|
|
3
|
60 MINUTES
|
CBS
|
10.0
|
1812
|
|
5
|
NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
|
NBC
|
9.3
|
1709
|
|
6
|
DANCING W/STARS RESULTS
|
ABC
|
9.1
|
1709
|
|
6
|
ELEVENTH HOUR
|
CBS
|
9.1
|
1732
|
|
8
|
GREY'S ANATOMY-THU 9PM
|
ABC
|
8.6
|
1598
|
|
8
|
COLD CASE
|
CBS
|
8.6
|
1488
|
|
10
|
NCIS
|
CBS
|
7.9
|
1479
|
|
* Ratings based on 13.65 million African American TV homes.
Source: Nielsen Media Research |
|
TOP 20 NETWORK SPORTS PROGRAMS
Ranked on Households
Week Ending September 28
|
|
# |
PROGRAMS |
Net |
Episode |
Households |
Persons 2+ |
|
US
Rtg% |
Shr |
(000) |
(000) |
|
1 |
CBS NFL NATIONAL
|
CBS
|
VARIOUS TEAMS AND TIMES
|
14.2
|
29
|
16313
|
23216
|
|
2 |
FOX NFL SUNDAY-SINGLE
|
FOX
|
VARIOUS TEAMS AND TIMES
|
10.1
|
23
|
11559
|
16313
|
|
3 |
CBS NFL REGIONAL
|
CBS
|
VARIOUS TEAMS AND TIMES
|
6.4
|
15
|
7373
|
9833
|
|
4 |
NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
|
NBC
|
SEATTLE
AT
TAMPA
BAY
|
6.3
|
10
|
7170
|
|
