• by Wayne Friedman , December 22, 2011

When it comes to shows gaining the most from time-shifting, cable TV series programs see the biggest hikes -- with the top shows gaining almost the same number of live viewers. Most engaging? Some lower-rated shows score well in this area.

The top eight shows in the time-shifting category come from either USA Network, TNT or FX. "American Horror Story" takes top honors here with a 95.3% hike in total viewers from time-shifting after seven days from its live airings, according to Nielsen. (A show needs to have at least four telecasts, reach at least a 1.0 rating, and have run between January 1, 2011 and November 13, 2011.)

USA's "Covert Affairs" comes next at 95.1%. This is followed by USA's "Suits" at 94.5%; TNT's "Franklin & Bash" with 92.0%; USA's "Psych" at 90.3%; FX's "Sons of Anarchy" with 85.8%, USA's "White Collar" at 85.6%; and FX's "Justified" with 83.9%.

The only broadcast network show on the top 10 list was Fox's critical favorite -- but overall low-rated -- "Fringe" at 80.3%. This was followed by A&E's "The Glades," which hit 78.8%.

Nielsen -- and social media research group NM Incite -- also took a look at the most engaged TV programs -- and declared NBC's low-rated fantasy drama "Grimm" as having the most engaged viewers. Per Nielsen, that is "the percentage of viewers who can recall within 24 hours the network content they were exposed to during the normal course of viewing TV." Looking at social media buzz volume, "Grimm" pulled in a 2% share.

ABC's "Suburgatory" came in at No. 2 in viewer recall, and took a 4% share of buzz volume. ABC's "Desperate Housewives" scored 16%, followed by NBC's "Parenthood" at 4%, USA's "Royal Pains" with 2%, ABC's "Revenge" at 7%, USA's "White Collar" with 6%; FX's "Rescue Me" at 2% and USA's "Covert Affairs" with 3%.

NBC's "Chuck" easily grabbed the largest share of social media buzz of the top 10 most engaged programs, at 54%. The low-rated "Chuck" has been on NBC's near-cancellation list since its debut.

This data comes from Jan. 1-Dec. 18, 2011. It includes regularly scheduled entertainment series with at least three telecasts, original airings and repeats.

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