Online television alternatives like Netflix are clearly affecting ratings, NBCUniversal CEO Steve Burke said on Thursday. But they’re not the biggest thorn in his side.
DVRs are.
“Netflix has created a wonderful business and a great delivery mechanism, they’re obviously affecting ratings,” Burke said at a keynote at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. But, he added, “DVRs and time-shifted viewingare more impactful.”
Burke was also surprised last year by the degree to which online options eroded cable ratings. “I thought that … cable entertainment ratings were going to be stronger than they are,” he said. “Cable entertainment ratings are weaker than they were just two or three years ago.”
As alternatives like Netflix collectively provide audiences with access to more television than ever before, reruns struggle to attract viewers when so many other choices are at their fingertips.
But even while NBCUniversal has struggled to find traction for its existing video online, Burke has pushed the company to invest in digital properties, hoping its online know-how and popularity will help the traditional content find bigger audiences. In August, the company invested $200 million each in online news publishers Vox and BuzzFeed.
13 Gadgets and People to Get Excited About at 2016 CES (Updating Photos)
2016 International Consumer Electronics Show
CES
K-1 Assistive Devices are 3D-printable, functional, prosthetic hands that are donated to people in need.
3D Systems
The Ōura smart ring is a wellness computer paired with an app designed to help track your sleep and adjust your daily activities to optimize them.
Ouraring
Secretive California automaker Faraday Future unveiled its 1,000-horsepower electric concept car Monday night. Integrating a partnership with Chinese media firm LeTV, it provides a peek at the company's first production vehicle, set to go on sale in two years.
Faraday Future
Cerevo's Tipron is a cute scooting robot that transforms into an Internet-connected projector. Its articulated head and neck allow it to project an 80-inch screen at different heights and angles, and it folds itself to a compact size when your movie is finished.
Cerevo
Prizm is a twist on the music player. A tool you plug into any speaker, it identifies who is in the room, what their music preferences are and the current mood -- and decides what's best to play.
Prizm
Sphero's BB-8 is a "Stars Wars"-inspired wearable wristband that will let you use gestures to control and puppeteer the "Force Awakens" droid.
Getty Images
Shaken or stirred? Somabar is a Wi-Fi connected robotic bartender that can make more than 300 different cocktails.
Somabar
Seaboard Rise's keyboard remodels the portable piano with a soft, sensor-embedded surface that responds to even light touches, and a thin lightweight form that makes it easy to take on the go.
Roli
Sick of hunting for a AAA battery when your remote goes dead? The Pilot ECO USBCell is a USB plug-in battery that fits the standard AA or AAA size. The first battery of its kind on the market, it can plug into virtually any USB port to recharge.
Pilot
Sengled Voice integrates a microphone, speaker and LED bulb. Owners can control devices via voice commands, and it can enhance home security and safety by detecting the sound of glass breaking or a baby crying.
Sengled
The Alcatel CareTime kid's smartwatch is equipped with its own SIM card for children to call for help with the five pre-set numbers their parents approve and a GPS tracker that allows parents to set safety boundary on Google Map and get alert if their kids exit that area.
Getty Images
"Entourage" star Adrian Grenier greeted the audience at the Dell Consumer Press Dinner on Jan. 7
Getty Images
Sony President and CEO Kazuo Hirai spoke to members of the media during a press event for CES 2016 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas on Jan. 5, 2016
Getty Images
President and COO of Samsung Electronics America Tim Baxter spoke to members of the media during a press event for CES 2016 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center on Jan. 5, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Getty Images
Sony Electronics President and COO Mike Fasulo spoke to members of the media during a press event for CES 2016 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center on January 5, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Getty Images
Funimation Founder and CEO Gen Fukunaga and COO Mike DuBoise pose with characters as they arrive at the FunimationNow 2016 CES launch party on Jan. 7
Getty Images
Nick Cannon (far right) was joined by Alex Hissom, Andrea Wynn, Wynn Resorts Chairman and CEO Steve Wynn for the Encore Player's Club grand opening celebration at Wynn Las Vegas on Jan. 6 during CES.
Getty Images
Bob Marley's son, Rohan arrives at the House of Marley booth during CES 2016.
Getty Images
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Robots, concept cars and ”Star Wars“ tie-ins are dominating the buzz for the 2016 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, running Jan. 6-9