Audio Video News

Netflix Households Surpass DVR Households

SV Staff  |  Mar 7, 2017

New research from New Hampshire-based Leichtman Research Group (LRG) found that the number of Netflix households has outstripped those with DVRs for the first time.

In a national survey conducted in January, 54 percent of adults reported having Netflix in their household, surpassing the 53 percent who reported having a DVR. LRG said this is the first time that the number of households with Netflix—including those sharing passwords—was higher than those with a DVR. In 2011, 28 percent of U.S. TV households had Netflix and 44 percent had a DVR, according to LRG.

Despite this trend, traditional TV continues to hold on: “46 percent of adults agree that they often flip through channels to see what's on TV,” according to Bruce Leichtman, LRG president and principal analyst.

The survey also found that 82 percent of U.S. TV households have a DVR, get Netflix, or use video-on-demand (VOD) from a cable or telco provider. Almost a third (30 percent) of households reported using two of the services, while 14 percent reported using all three.

Other highlights of the study include:

• 64 percent of households subscribe to Netflix, Amazon Prime, and/or Hulu streaming services and 51 percent of all adults stream from any of these services monthly
• 23 percent of all adults stream Netflix daily compared with just 6 percent in 2011
• 81 percent of Netflix users stream to a TV set
• 64 percent of pay-TV subscribers have a DVR compared with 49 percent in 2011
• 60 percent of DVR households have DVR on more than one TV compared with 33 percent in 2011
• 65 percent of all cable and telco video subscribers have used VOD from their current provider
• 58 percent of all cable subscribers used VOD in the past month compared with 42 percent in 2011

"On-Demand and time shifting TV services like DVR, VOD and Netflix have permanently changed the way that people can watch TV,” said Bruce Leichtman, LRG president and principal analyst. “Today, over 50 percent of households have a DVR and, for the first time in the 15 years of this study, over half of households have Netflix.

In its 15th annual study on this topic, LRG surveyed a random sample of adults in 1,211 households throughout the United States. The “On-Demand TV XV” survey was conducted by phone (landline and mobile) and the sample was distributed and weighted to best reflect the demographic and geographic make-up of the U.S., LRG said. The overall sample has a statistical margin of error of +/- 2.8 percent.

COMMENTS
Billy's picture
Submitted by Billy on March 7, 2017 - 7:54am

Netflix is a smoking deal compared to the $103/month DIRECTV bill I used to pay. For 12 bucks a month that I can use on up to four devices, all at the same time, almost anywhere in the world. DTV had a little better picture (sometimes) but it was loaded with commercials. I had to watch what was on at that time. I am worried that Netflix will bump up the cost, but no matter what they do, it is always going to be better then the alternatives. Thank the good Lord for high speed internet. My 10Mbs DSL is waaaay over priced in the countryside and barely sufficient, but it still works good enough. Wish I had put all those years of satellite service fees into Netflix stock instead!

pw's picture
Submitted by pw on March 7, 2017 - 2:08pm

Netflix has the insight to buy and sometimes partner with the best Animation Houses in Japan. Check out the Netflix exclusive "Cyborg 009" or the American (with Japanese Animators) new "Voltron".. The Mystery Science Theater revival will be a world beater..

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