Nielsen to Measure DVR Usage in 2005

Nielsen will add DVR usage to its program ratings in 2005, one year earlier than planned. The ratings service, which provides ratings that help programmers determine advertising rates, will count any program as viewed in a DVR household if it is played back within seven days of initial recording. Viewership figures from that playback will be added to the traditional live viewing numbers and then be re-released as an updated viewership figure.