When the DVR was introduced to the television industry, network executives were extremely timid at first. Worried that commercials would get cut out, and advertisers would loose interest in t.v. ad's.
Now days, networks have fallen in love with the former tormentor.
The reason is not simply that more households own DVRs, but they're helping some marginal shows become hits. It is also that more people seem content to sit through the commercials than networks once thought.
These factors combined mean DVR ratings now add significantly to live ratings and thus to ad revenue.
Against almost every expectation, nearly half of all people watching delayed shows are still slouching on their couches watching messages about movies, cars and beer.
Personally, If I have a show recorded, I will not sit through the commercials. It is a real convenience to me that I can fast forward the parts of live t.v. that I have no interest in.
Almost across the board, the gains for playback are growing. The best preseason estimate for the current season, said David F. Poltrack, the chief research officer for CBS, was about a 1 percent increase from playback over the live program for the networks combined. Instead, many are in the range of 7 to 12 percent, with some shows having increases of more than 20 percent when DVR ratings are added. The four networks together are averaging a 10 percent increase.
The supposedly struggling NBC drama “Heroes” jumped 22 percent, as did another apparently flagging drama, “Fringe” on Fox. And a new ABC drama, the appropriately named “Flash Forward,” looks even more like a hit than it did with its original rating because its rating increased 14 percent with playbacks.
I am a huge fan of the DVR. It allows me never to miss anything on t.v. that I want to see, regardless if I am away from the house or just watching another station.
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I am actually one of the few people that like watching commercials. If I have the option though to fast forward through commercials while watching a recording, I will definitely do so.
ReplyDeleteThe DVR is a god send for me because I never liked watching commercials as long as I've been able to breathe. Getting right to the point (the show) is all I want. When I'm in that state of mind, anything else the TV wants to offer me (ads) I couldn't care less.
ReplyDeleteAnother great aspect of the DVR is the ability to rewind and see the same moment again. When I was younger I remember rewinding and playing a scene 5-6 times before continuing with the movie. There are times when the first time you see something you are skeptical. So playback is always a good thing.
ReplyDeleteWhen I had DVR, I would record shows for later, then sit down to watch them and forget I'm not watching a broadcast and have the fast forward capability. I end up sitting through the commercials anyway, so I guess it doesn't really matter to me.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE DVR!!! I never watch the commericals when i use my DVR m thats the best part to me , and i love being able to laugh and watch things multiple times!
ReplyDelete