• by David Goetzl , August 2, 2007

No surprises here. TNT has given the green light for a fourth season and 15 more episodes of its signature drama "The Closer" to air next summer. Starring Kyra Sedgwick, TNT bills the series as the best-performing series in ad-supported cable's history--and its "most DVR-ed drama."

The last claim is perhaps a mixed blessing. While it indicates a show's popularity, it also highlights the potential for its ad breaks to be skipped when viewed in time-shifted mode. TNT figures show that some 18% of viewing takes place via DVRs.

The series, which attempts a focused effort at combating DVR-aided skipping annually with a commercial-free premiere, airs on Mondays at 9 p.m.

A network touting a show's appeal among DVR users appears to be new territory. But with the onset of the new commercial ratings, which will determine how many ads watched with DVRs are skipped, plugging a show that boasts little skipping would be understandable.

TNT says "The Closer" is averaging 7.8 million-plus viewers, with 1.2 million via DVRs.