Dollhouse

Premiere week DVR results: ’Dollhouse,’ ’Smallville’ top gain list

Eliza Dusku, lighting technician Premiere week DVR data is here and the results show that Fox’s "Dollhouse" gained a higher percentage of additional viewers than nearly any other show.

The "Dollhouse" premiere rating jumped a stunning 50% when seven-day viewing is added.

Granted, the "Dollhouse" base was extremely low — the show went from a 1.0 rating to a 1.5. Many other shows during premiere week obviously gained far more than a half a rating point. But executives often compare how much a show gained relative to its initial live-plus-same-day number, and to boost your rating by 50% is huge (by comparison, last season’s "Dollhouse" premiere gain was 30%).

The CW’s "Smallville," which also airs Friday nights, likewise gained 50%, tying "Dollhouse" for the biggest percentage gain.

"Dollhouse" has been doing pretty dreadful, but this news coupled with Friday’s modest ratings increase will likely give some hope to Joss Whedon fans ... the question is whether either will impact the show’s fate.

The program with the largest overall rating increase based on raw gains — not a percentage compared to its original number — during premiere week was ABC’s "Grey’s Anatomy" (which boosted its adult demo number from 6.7 to 8.2) followed by another Fox drama, "House" (6.8 to 8.2). Other top climbers based on sheer gains include "The Office" (3.9 to 4.9) and "The Mentalist" (3.6 to 4.6).

Shifting back to percentage increases, after "Dollhouse" and "Smallville," the next-biggest DVR gainer is the CW’s "90210," climbing 40%.

Fox’s "Fringe" is next on the list, up 39% — no surprise considering its tough new Thursday time period.

Then "Melrose Place" (+38%) and "Gossip Girl" (+36%). Again, not a surprise, since the CW often post high percentage gains thanks to its low base and young DVR-savvy audience.

Another Friday night show, NBC’s "Law & Order" is next (+33%), followed by NBC’s "Heroes" (+32%).

Few more in the top spots: Fox’s "Bones" (+29%), CBS’ "The Mentalist" (+28%), CBS’ "Numbers" (+28%), ABC’s "Castle" (+26%), Fox’s "Glee" (+26%) and NBC’s "The Office" (+26%).

Overall, broadcast shows gained an average of 14% for premiere week, compared to 9% last year. The CW gained the most (30%), followed by Fox (19%), CBS (13%), ABC (12%) and NBC (7%).

So let’s skip down to the bottom of the list and see who’s gaining the least.

Among what’s interesting down here is that Fox’s "Dollhouse" lead-in, the new comedy "Brothers," was one of the least time-shifted shows — gaining, well, when rounded it’s 0%. Which proves that just because a scripted show is on Fridays doesn’t mean people will necessarily check it out later and makes "Dollhouse" look more heroic for climbing 50% right afterward.

NBC’s "The Jay Leno Show" occupied many of the lower spots, generally gaining about a tenth of a rating point (or 5%).

CBS’ "Cold Case" (+5%) and freshman sitcom "Accidentally on Purpose" (+6%) don’t seem to be on many viewers season pass list.

Neither are Fox’s Sunday animated comedies — which is surprising. Especially with many guys watching "Sunday Night Football," you would think shows like "Cleveland" and "American Dad" would climb more than 8%.

Viewers seem to be watching popular new shows "NCIS: Los Angeles" (11%) and ABC’s "Cougar Town" (11%) either live or not at all.