Grey's Anatomy Ratings Boosted By Later Viewing

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More light is being shed on ratings for the week of September 22 — widely considered to be the launch of this TV season — now that Live +7 Nielsen numbers are in.

Whereas the fast nationals reported every morning capture live viewing plus same-night DVR playback, Live +7 includes any recorded show watched up to a week later.

ABC can now tout that Grey's Anatomy's Season Five premiere enjoyed the largest gain of any show, adding 2.7 million total viewers once the Live +7 data is counted.

That brings the the hit drama's premiere audience to 21.2 million.

With DVR marketplace penetration now at 20 percent (up 8 percent year-over-year), the Grey's Anatomy playback increase was up 29 percent from last season.

Chief in Charge

For perspective, ABC saw a total of four shows (Grey's, Desperate Housewives, Boston Legal and Brothers & Sisters) gain a million or more viewers, while CBS had five.

House and Sarah Connor are giving Fox its greatest gains in DVR playback. For House, that means an increase of two million-plus. NBC's biggest gains came from Heroes.

The CW, meanwhile, points out that 90210 gains nearly a full rating point in the netlet's "sweet spot" of women 18-34, while Gossip Girl also picks up some more viewers.

Steve Marsi is the Managing Editor of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Google+ or email him here.

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Grey's Anatomy Quotes

[walking by Izzie's room]
Meredith: Hot.
Sadie: Horny.

Sexual sorbet? Hahaha! I love it.

Bailey