News Broadcasting
Digital Video Recorders benefit hit shows and advertisments: US networks
MUMBAI: A new study conducted by executives from prominent US broadcast networks show that homes with Digital Video Recorders (DVR) watch significantly more television, and could increase the average primetime audience for a program by an average of 4 per cent. Interestingly, this is contrary to earlier claims that Digital Video Recorders would have an adverse impact on ad-supported television.
According to an official communiqué, released by DVR major Tivo, the networks highlighted multiple reports showing that DVR households watched 12 per cent more television, and that they are exposed to a greater number of commercial impressions. The results of these studies, though early, confirm what the networks’ own proprietary studies have found all along: DVRs increase the viewing of television’s most popular programming, as well as commercials, the release adds.
The study conducted by researchers from networks ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, UPN and the WB highlighted the following:
1) When factoring in DVR usage, primetime programs increase their audience by an average of 4 per cent. This figure is based on a study conducted by Nielsen that examined DVR usage in seven major markets, including Houston, Tampa, Denver, Orlando, Charlotte, Raleigh and Austin – regions with large enough samples to report DVR usage.
2) Homes with DVRs averaged 5.7 hours of television viewing per day, compared to 5.1 from homes without DVRs. This represents a 12 per cent increase in the amount of time spent watching TV.
3) Additionally, the networks’ own proprietary research found that DVR viewers do pay attention to commercials, and that they show high levels of awareness/ recall on commercials they have fast-forwarded. Among the findings:
4) 58 per cent of DVR users pay attention to commercials even while fast forwarding
5) 53 per cent of DVR users have gone back to watch commercials they mistakenly skipped.
As per the study, the 10 most played back programs on DVRs were network television programs are:
1. Desperate Housewives
2. Survivor
3. CSI
4. Lost
5. American Idol
6. The Apprentice
7. 24
8. ER
9. The O.C.
10. Grey’s Anatomy
DVR penetration in US households now stands at 8 per cent, representing 11.4 million viewers. By 2010, that number is expected to grow to 39 percent, adds the official release.
News Broadcasting
Network18 channels lead YouTube news viewership in March 2026
CNN-News18, News18 India and CNBC channels top categories with record views
MUMBAI: When the world hit refresh on breaking news, Network18’s channels were already streaming ahead. As geopolitical tensions and war-driven headlines fuelled a surge in global news consumption, the network’s digital playbook delivered big clocking record Youtube viewership across English, Hindi and business news categories in March 2026.
At the forefront was CNN-News18, which emerged as the clear leader in the English news segment with 130 million live and video-on-demand views. The channel edged past competitors such as Times of India (126.5 million), Times Now (101.1 million), India Today (88.2 million) and NDTV (77.5 million), according to Databeings data for March.
In the Hindi news arena, News18 India delivered a commanding performance, racking up a staggering 3,297 million views on YouTube. The channel comfortably outpaced NDTV India, which recorded 3,119 million views, underlining its deep reach and consistent engagement with mass audiences, as per Playboard data.
The network’s dominance wasn’t confined to general news. In the Hindi business segment, CNBC Awaaz topped the charts with 92 million views, narrowly ahead of Zee Business (90 million) and well ahead of ET Now Swadesh (57 million). Meanwhile, its English counterpart CNBC-TV18 posted a strong 58 million views, reinforcing the network’s cross-category strength.
The spike in viewership reflects a broader shift in audience behaviour, with viewers increasingly turning to digital platforms particularly Youtube for real-time updates and in-depth coverage during high-intensity news cycles. For Network18, the numbers signal more than just scale; they underline the effectiveness of a multi-platform strategy that blends speed, credibility and continuous coverage.
In a month where the news never paused, it seems viewers chose to stay tuned where the stream never stopped.
