'House' and 'Lost' Show Greatest Gains From DVR Playback, Nielsen Reports

NEW YORK, April 25 /PRNewswire/ -- The Nielsen Company today released the first look at the most "timeshifted" broadcast network television programs in the U.S., with FOX's House and ABC's Lost showing the most lift in audience due to playback with a Digital Video Recorder (DVR) within seven days of its initial airing.

For the week of April 2 - April 8, the most recent week for which ratings for seven-day playback are available, House pulled in an additional 2.74 million DVR viewers after its April 3rd airing, while Lost pulled in an additional 2.47 million viewers after its April 4th episode. The April 3rd episode of American Idol on FOX was third with 2.45 million viewers.

On a percentage basis, The Office had the highest gain in viewing with DVR playback, increasing viewership by more than 31%.

Starting immediately, The Nielsen Company will make this ranking available to media reporters every Monday on its online Press Room.

   Top "Timeshifted" Broadcast Network TV Programs by Absolute Viewers
          For the Week of 04/02/2007-04/08/2007 (Persons age 2+)

                                                        Viewing
                                                Live      in
                                       Day     Viewing  Playback
  Rank  Program              Network  Aired    (000's)  (000's)    Gain (%)

  1     HOUSE                  FOX    4-3-07   19,024    2,740     14.4
  2     LOST                   ABC    4-4-07   10,831    2,474     22.8
  3     AMERICAN IDOL-TUES     FOX    4-3-07   24,741    2,458      9.9
  4     CSI                    CBS    4-5-07   20,894    2,172     10.4
  5     24                     FOX    4-2-07   10,022    1,946     19.4
  6     SURVIVOR: FIJI         CBS    4-5-07   12,338    1,906     15.5
  7     OFFICE                 NBC    4-5-07    5,774    1,821     31.5
  8     DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES   ABC    4-5-07   15,056    1,626     10.8
  9     AMERICAN IDOL-WED      FOX    4-4-07   24,931    1,436      5.8
  10    PRISON BREAK           FOX    4-2-07    7,407    1,358     18.3

  Source:  Nielsen Media Research
  Note:  Data from April 2, 2007 - April 8, 2007, comparing Live and Live
  Plus 7 Days of DVR Playback



    Top "Timeshifted" Broadcast Network TV Programs by Percentage Gain
          For the Week of 04/02/2007-04/08/2007 (Persons age 2+)

                                                        Viewing
                                                Live      in
                                       Day     Viewing  Playback
  Rank  Program              Network  Aired    (000's)  (000's)    Gain (%)

  1     OFFICE                 NBC    4-5-07    5,774    7,595     31.5
  2     LOST                   ABC    4-4-07   10,831   13,305     22.8
  3     24                     FOX    4-2-07   10,022   11,968     19.4
  4     PRISON BREAK           FOX    4-2-07    7,407    8,765     18.3
  5     30 ROCK                NBC    4-5-07    5,049    5,935     17.6
  6     SCRUBS                 NBC    4-5-07    4,646    5,424     16.8
  7     FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS    NBC    4-4-07    4,936    5,746     16.4
  8     SURVIVOR: FIJI         CBS    4-5-07   12,338   14,244     15.5
  9     7TH HEAVEN              CW    4-8-07    2,051     2355     14.8
  10    HOUSE                  FOX    4-3-07   19,024   21,764     14.4

  Source: Nielsen Media Research
  Note: Data from April 2, 2007 - April 8, 2007, comparing Live and Live
  Plus 7 Days of DVR Playback

EDITOR'S NOTE: Digital Video Recorders (DVRs) are advanced VCR-like systems which enable viewers to easily tape a television program, as well as pause live programming, fast forward and rewind. Approximately 15-17% of television homes in the U.S. have DVR systems, either from a local cable or satellite system or from TiVo or Replay.

About The Nielsen Company

The Nielsen Company is a global information and media company with leading market positions and recognized brands in marketing information (ACNielsen), media information (Nielsen Media Research), business publications (Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter, Adweek), trade shows and the newspaper sector (Scarborough Research). The privately held company has more than 41,000 employees and is active in more than 100 countries, with headquarters in Haarlem, the Netherlands, and New York, USA.