Really? You Can’t Live Without a DVR?

A new survey or more than 1,000 DVR owners in the U.S., UK, Australia, and Italy commissioned NDS Group (a News Corp subsidiary that makes pay-TV distribution solutions) finds that 7 out of 10 DVR owners say they can’t live without the devices. In fact, DVR owners rank their recorders as the second most essential gadget overall, with only mobile phones ranking higher. Among household items, only washing machines and microwave ovens ranks more highly than a DVR…except in Italy, where hair dryers mysteriously edged out DVRs in popularity.

“The survey results show just how fast the DVR has become an indispensable part of people’s lives in the UK, U.S., Italy, and Australia,” said NDS chief marketing officer Nigel Smith, in a statement. “t’s one of those technologies that, once tried, has you wondering how you coped before.”

Some 60 percent of respondents with partners also reported that they felt having a DVR had improved their relationship, with many respondents attributing this to each person being able to reliably watch their own favorite programming while sharing favorites between them reliably. DVR owners also said the technology improved family relationships by eliminating bickering over TV.

The survey also found that DVR owners watch slightly more than four hours of television per day, and some 58 percent of respondents believe they are watching more interesting television since getting a DVR.