The CW Network Reaps Dramatic Viewership Gains from DVRs, Time-Shifting

October 29, 2007 -- The CW Network continues to score double-digit viewership increases with the inclusion of DVR playback, according to Nielsen Live Plus Seven Day ratings for the week of 10/8/07.

Overall, The CW's primetime weekly average was bolstered 20% in women 18-34 (1.86rtg v. 1.55rtg) and 20% in adults 18-34 (1.48 v. 1.23) according to Nielsen live-plus 7 day ratings vs. live only viewing. The CW also posted the largest percent gains for its weekly primetime average (19%, 1.34rtg v. 1.13rtg) of any network in adults 18-49.

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Gossip Girl, America's Next Top Model, Beauty and the Geek, Reaper, Smallville and Supernatural all benefited tremendously from DVR usage, gaining 21-34% more viewers in its target demos who recorded and watched the shows within 7 days of its live broadcast.

For the week of 10/8/07:

Gossip Girl added 31% more women 18-34 (3.31rtg v. 2.53rtg) and 30% more adults 18-34 (2.05rtg v. 1.58rtg) in Live+7 DVR viewing compared to those who only watched live.

Top Model scored gains of 26% in women 18-34 (5.06rtg v. 4.02rtg) and 25% more adults 18-34 (3.13rtg v. 2.51rtg) in Live+7 DVR viewing compared to those who only watched live.

Beauty and the Geek added 24% more women 18-34 (2.61rtg v. 2.11rtg) and 24% more adults 18-34 (2.14rtg v. 1.73rtg) in Live+7 DVR viewing compared to those who only watched live.

Reaper gained an additional 29% more women 18-34 (1.57rtg v. 1.22rtg) and 34% more adults 18-34 (1.66rtg v. 1.24rtg) in Live+7 DVR viewing compared to those who only watched live.

Smallville saw increases of 26% in women 18-34 (2.17rtg v. 1.72rtg) and 32% more adults 18-34 (2.33rtg v. 1.76rtg) in Live+7 DVR viewing compared to those who only watched live.

Supernatural posted gains of 21% in women 18-34 (1.60rtg v. 1.32rtg) and 28% more adults 18-34 (1.25rtg v. 0.98rtg) in Live+7 DVR viewing compared to those who only watched live.

Source: Time Warner