'The Following' gets a big ratings boost from DVRs

The "Set your DVR now" tagline on FOX's ads for "The Following" appears to have worked.

Nielsen's Live +7 ratings for the week of Jan. 21 show big gains for the premiere of FOX's drama starring Kevin Bacon. The show gained about 4.7 million viewers -- going from 10.4 million in the overnights to 15.1 million -- and 1.9 points in the 18-49 demographic, rising from a 3.2 to a 5.1.

The gains from DVR use are comparable to those of NBC's "Revolution," which has consistently seen its ratings balloon in the Live +7 numbers. It's adding an average of 4.35 million viewers and 1.9 demo points with delayed viewing.

Also of note for the week of Jan. 21: After trailing "American Idol" by 1.3 points in adults 18-49 in the overnight ratings, ABC's "Modern Family" surpassed "Idol" in the Live +7 tally. "Modern Family" rose from 4.2 to 6.7 in the demographic, while "Idol" went from 5.5 to 6.6.

"Modern Family" also grew by more than 5 million viewers to finish with 15.9 million for its Jan. 23 episode. In both measures, they were the biggest gains this season for a single show.