• by Wayne Friedman , December 9, 2008

Most TV shows get big boosts from time-shifted viewing. But now, for the first time, some established TV shows are seeing declines in time-shifted viewing versus previous periods, according to a recent study by Horizon Media.

ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" continues to be the leader in time-shifted viewing--getting more time-shifted viewers than any other show, now over 4 million after seven days. It held the same position last year, when it averaged 3.8 million viewers.

Fox's "House" is the second-biggest time-shifted show at 3.2 million viewers; CBS' "CSI" is at 3.1 million; NBC's "The Office" gets 3.0 million; and NBC's "Heroes" has 2.9 million.

Horizon Media says 14 shows have over 2 million people watching on a time-shifted basis. Fifteen regularly scheduled shows had 20% or more of its total viewers watch it time-shifted over seven days.

While time-shifted TV studies revealed a virtual lift of ratings for all shows, there are now some established shows that have seen decreases. For example, "House"--one of the highest-rated network shows--has seen a 7% decline in its time-shifted viewers from a year ago. "Private Practice" declined 7%, and "Ugly Betty" is down 17%.

On the other side, two shows that have seen major increases in their live-plus-same-day program ratings this year are earning the biggest gains from their seven-day time-shifting activities: The CW's "Gossip Girl" and NBC's "30 Rock."

Both shows have almost doubled their time-shifted viewers after seven days. "Girl" is up 92%, and "Rock" is 91% improved. Two other shows with renewed live program ratings are CBS' "NCIS," which climbed 44% in its time-shifted viewers, and Fox's "Bones," up 42% versus a year ago.

Other notable, big time-shifted shows in recent memory had little change year-to-year. This list includes "Heroes," "Survivor," "Amazing Race" and "The Unit."

Fox's "Fringe" has the most time-shifted viewers of all new shows with 2.45 million viewers; CW's "90210" had the highest percentage of time-shifted viewers, at 28.7%.

Horizon says that now all the networks gain on average 10% or more of their total viewing through time-shifting. Last year, it was only the CW that rose above 10%. This year, ratings have nearly doubled on the CW, to 17.8% time-shifted viewers. CBS has the most time-shifted viewers, with 1.3 million.