The volume of time-shifted viewing has reached a new high in the UK.  During the week ending 25 September 2011, time-shifted viewing accounted for 10% of the total volume of TV viewing reported by BARB.

Any non-live viewing to programmes that takes place within 164 hours (approximately 7 days) of the original broadcast is reported by BARB as time-shifted viewing.  This includes playback through PVRs, DVD-recorders or VCRs as well as via catch-up services available through the TV.

BARB revealed that a substantial proportion of all 7-day time-shifted viewing takes place on the same day as broadcast - 48% in this particular week.  This is reported as VOSDAL (Viewing On The Same Day As Live) and included as standard in reported overnight figures.

During w/e 25 September, across the top 10 channels, 20% of total viewing of drama series was time-shifted, followed by soaps (16%), documentaries (15%) and entertainment programmes (13%). Among individuals with a PVR this proportion rose to 32%, 26%, 23% and 21% respectively.

The proportion of viewing that is time-shifted varies by demographic group.  Broadly speaking, time-shifted viewing is a higher proportion of viewing for young adults and ABC1s than for other groups, with 16% of viewing by adults aged between 25-34 being time-shifted during this week.