The Leichtman Research Group reports that about 20% of US households have a personal video recorder. That's up from 12% according to a study released by the same firm last year, and up from about 7% two years ago.

The study also finds that:

• More than half (53%) of PVR owners say they have an HDTV set (although it's not clear from the press release if they have a HD PVR)
• 45% of respondents say they record five or fewer programs per week
• The mean household income of PVR owners is 33% above average
• While most PVR owners say the ability to skip commercials is very important, only 8% say it's the main benefit of owning a PVR.

In other words, this is the latest in a long line of studies aimed at television execs looking for evidence that PVrs are not killing the industry. If PVR owners have money to spend, and don't think commercial skipping is the single most important thing their little box does, then there's hope, right?

But that's what happens when you ask loaded question. Just because users say that commercial skipping isn't the most important feature (I'm willing to bet it's the ability to watch TV on one's own schedule), doesn't mean they'll be happy if you take it away.

[via TV Predictions]