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May 22, 2012

iTunes boosts network ratings

by Chris Thilk, posted Jan 16th 2006 8:39PM

The networks are seeing some substantial payoff from having their shows listed in Apple's iTunes store. Shows that are available for download are also seeing a bump in their broadcast ratings. Shows such as The Office, Lost and Desperate Housewives have all seen significant rise in the number of people watching them on TV.

I think it's more than a little funny that people are turning to the shows on TV after trying them out on iTunes. After all, you pay $1.99 a pop on iTunes to "try" and episode that, if you had watched it when it was aired, would have cost you nothing. Maybe it's because they can take the shows with them on their Video iPods and watch them on the train. Whatever the case, the networks have to be happy more people are watching them on TV since it props up the advertising model that some were afraid iTunes would kill by offering advertising-free programming.

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Sachi

I think the major reason for this is because these shows have had so much buzz lately and are out on DVD now. I know a lot of people who got the DVD sets for Christmas/Chanukah/etc. or had time to watch them over holiday break and are now frantically trying to catch up with the currently showing episodes by watching the ones they've missed on ITunes. Further proof of this might be in Desperate Housewives' recent catch-up episode showing everything that's happened so far this season. Also, in my humble opinion, these are three excellent shows that deserve to be watched, so no harm in gaining viewership, whether from ITunes or what have you.

January 17 2006 at 4:58 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
blueguydotcom

I've downloaded a few episodes of The Office and it's convinced me of one thing: I watch only OTA HD shows now that football season is over so I'm canceling my Directv. In September I'll re-up.

January 17 2006 at 1:05 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Doron

Those shows were increasing their viewership before they got on itunes...

January 16 2006 at 10:23 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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