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

"The Office" Has Highest Gain on Percentage Basis

NEW YORK, April 25 -- 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+)

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

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

SOURCE The Nielsen Company
http://www.nielsenmedia.com