Business Models and Programming Choice: Digital Video Recorders Shaping the TV Industry

This paper focuses on the influence that Digital Video Recorders (DVRs) are expected to have on the business models and in particular the programming choice of TV stations and cable / satellite TV service providers. After presenting the theoretical underpinnings with respect to programming choice modeling for the TV industry, this work examines DVRs in detail covering their main product features, impacts on viewer behavior, and the current roll-out status. This paper then investigates how these DVR features impact earlier insights from programming choice modeling and how they lead to changed business models for TV stations. The paper concludes with a brief summary and a critical outlook for a TV industry business model.