The increasing use and demand for digital video recorders (DVR) in showing that it is not having an effect upon "live" ratings of the major broadcast networks' prime-time shows. In the case of the more popular shows, it's showing that it may even be helping them to grow their audiences, according to Media Daily News citing Havas media shop MPG.
"Live viewing to the four major networks has remained virtually unchanged compared to premiere week last year," MPG found, "it seems that DVR playback is adding significant audiences to some shows, but does not appear to be affecting the level of live viewing overall."
The four majors, ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox, had gains in the 18- to -49 age group growing 0.2 and 0.3 Nielsen rating points. The only question is whether the growth is because the sampling of households using DVRs is growing to reflect the percentage of users.
This shows that the overall concerns that this is hindering the market are unfounded. Just like with any popular show on TV, anything that helps people to see it will be used. Shows that aren't as popular won't do as well no matter what happens in the marketplace.
The programs that are most affected by DVRs are the ones that are live events or reality shows where outcomes are known before playback can be used. Most people don't want to watch a whole football game that they already know the outcome of.
Like in everything else that's affecting the entertainment industry; this was overblown and treated like it was the end of the world, without thinking of what the positive outcomes would be.
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