This is a really interesting report of the affects of the digital transition on ratings. Like the fact that "TV stations that transitioned to digital only experienced an 8 percent share decline immediately following the analog shut-off." But even more interesting is this that same number goes up to 13 percent if the broadcaster switched from UHF to VHF because of reception problems -- no wonder some broadcasters are going back to UHF. The other thing that piqued our interest was that cable companies seemed to be the real winners here as 18.2 percent of those facing the decision to buy a converter box, just ordered cable instead -- little do they know that they are just putting off getting a box.

[Via TVB]

Stay tuned for the network's latest DVR strategy: acceptance. Armed with the latest Nielsen data, ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox are rushing to tell advertisers that even with a set-top box and its bevy of pauses, fast forwards and 30 second skips at the ready -- we're guessing this doesn't apply to Media Center users on automated setups -- most viewers simply settle in and watch the commercials anyway. The New York Times breaks down the commercial-plus-three ratings system the networks initially opposed that could end up saving shows like Heroes from cancellation -- though a return to the old way of thinking might be worthwhile if it means an end to that show's now pitiable existence.

According to Nielsen's surveys, only 1.1% of U.S. households still aren't able to receive TV signals since the digital TV switch June 12. That's 1.3 million homes that have made the necessary changes since analog said goodbye, with 229,000 doing so just in the last couple of weeks. If you're reading this and somehow still aren't ready, don't forget to pick up a coupon now. Need all the dirty details? Click over for the full PDF report.

And to think we've been worrying about all those poor people who weren't ready for the DTV transition, only to find out that they don't even watch TV. We mean, what other explanation could you have for the fact that it's been solid week after the big analog shutoff and 2.1 million households still can't watch TV. Of course not all of these people just let the DTV transition pass them by, some of them are affected by the reception problems, and others probably don't even understand the question. Either way we'll find out soon enough as most broadcasters should be full power by July 1st and no doubt Nielsen will have the results of another poll out by then.

With less than 24 hours to go until analog TV goes dark for a certain segment of American, and the NAB wants to make sure everyone is aware that Nielsen's unreadiness claims aren't accepted by all. The point of contention is a mere 1 million people and really comes down to those who are "almost ready." Meaning, the NAB doesn't count respondents who claimed to have already started getting ready, but aren't in any hurry to make the actual switch until the very last minute. Differences in opinion aside one thing is for sure, at some point tomorrow every TV watcher in the US will be digital ready, or they will no longer be a TV watcher.

In the last update before analog TV goes off after June 12, Nielsen's results indicate 2.5% of, or 2.8 million U.S. homes are still completely unready and will be cut off after it goes through. That's around three million less than it was the last time we were this close to the DTV transition, hopefully all reading this are on the digital television ready side (six easy steps right here.) Don't forget, many stations are switching at different times, so check your local broadcasters before rescanning so you don't have to do it twice, Friday night / Saturday morning is probably your best bet.

A good six months after the Leichtman Research group published figures pushing HDTV penetration over one third of the U.S., Nielsen's February survey has produced similar numbers, indicating a rise from the 23% it found prior to the holiday season. Whatever the cause for the jump and the discrepancy, there's plenty of numbers to digest, for those into that. Want to know how many televisions (including SD) the average HDTV owner has? 3. There's still a gap between those who have an HDTV, and the 28% actually able watch HDTV broadcasts, assumed to exist not only because of a lack of consumer education, but also that people are unwilling to add to their cable/satellite bill on a monthly basis to tune in to HD. Punch the read link for the full breakdown, we're sure there's an interesting factoid or trend buried in there somewhere.

We're finally within range of the DTV switch (and using this image again), and Nielsen is reporting it estimates only 3.3 million or 2.9% of U.S. households are still unready for the days after June 12. That's 200k less than when we last checked in and it looks like this should be the time everything actually happens. Got your switch throwing outfits all laid out?

Here we are, a little more than a month away from the February 17 June 12 analog shutoff date, and sure enough, more people have grabbed hold of a digital tuner in one device or another. According to Nielsen, the number of unprepared homes is now at 3.1-percent (3.5-million homes). To put that in perspective, recall that at the start of February, we were sitting at 5.1-percent. We're pretty impressed that the number has moved below the 5-percent mark, and certainly a lot of credit goes to stations that went ahead with the switch ahead of the June 12 deadline. Zeno and his paradox aside, we've got high hopes that the June 12th date is going to stick, folks!

The number of DTV unready homes continues its slide downward, with Nielsen reporting an additional 610,000 prepared as of April 1, leaving 3.8 million to go. Representing 3.4% of U.S. households still unready, that's only a slight uptick over the pace of previous months, but with coupons rolling out it certainly seems that everything is moving smoothly towards the new June 12 deadline.

More good news for the digital TV switch, as Nielsen's latest update pegs just 3.9 percent, an improvement of 570,000 homes over last month. The older you are, the more likely you're prepared as the over 55 age group is down to just 2.2 percent unready. Now that the coupon program is funded and running again we wouldn't be surprised to see even more drastic drops before June 12, we're just waiting to grab a set that lights up.

Who knew that Blu-ray fans were so desperate to get their hands on The Bourne Trilogy? We sure didn't, but either way Universal has to be happy. The real news this week though is that neither Sony or Warner could be too pleased with the performance of Lakeview Terrace or Pride and Glory on Blu-ray -- at least according to the Nielsen VideoScan data courtesy of Home Media Magazine. At the same time it's funny to us to think that a Blu-ray disc managing 17 or even 9 percent away from DVD could be a bad thing in an economy like this. Speaking of which, HMM has something a little new for us. It is a graph that charts the sales of physical media against itself last year and we find it interesting how similar the graphs are, but as expected, things are slower this year. Because although Blu-ray revenue was up over 61 percent this year over last, it was only enough to make up 4 of the 24 percent drop in DVD over the same period. The immediate future is going to much of the same, as Hollywood almost never releases its blockbusters in the spring. But that being said, Blu-ray does seem to be holding its own, but needs to do a little better in order to do its job of making up for slowing DVD sales. More charts over the break, including the top 20, BD title share and top 20 DVDs.