Cable, DBS offers fueling DVR growth, Leichtman Research Group says

More than half of the DVR owners in the United States report also owning an HDTV set, according to new consumer research from Leichtman Research Group (LRG).

The study, “On-Demand TV 2007: A Nationwide Studio on VOD and DVRs,” reveals that 20 percent of U.S. households now have a DVR — up from about one in 13 two years ago.

Fueling the growth is a push from cable and DBS providers offering combo HD/DVR set-top boxes. LRG forecasts that the number of U.S. households with DVRs will grow to more than 60 million by the end of 2011.

Among the research group’s other findings:

• The mean household income of DVR owners is 33 percent above average;
• 53 percent of DVR owners say they have an HDTV set;
• 45 percent of DVR owners record five or fewer programs per week;
• 84 percent of DVR owners rate the ability to skip commercials as very important, while just 8 percent of DVR owners say it is the greatest benefit of having a DVR.

For more information, visit www.LeichtmanResearch.com.