According to Nielsen's National Television Household Universe Estimates report, 121 million TV homes in the U.S. for the 2020-21 TV season. The figures presented in The 2021 National Universe Estimates report reflects significant changes in the population since last year, alongside modified TV penetration levels, with varied calculations according to qualifying market breaks and age/sex demographics categories.
The number representing individuals ages 2 and older in US households that watch TV is estimated to be 307.9 million, a .02% increase from last year. As a result of population growth, demographics for the increases include 1.9% for Hispanics, .09% for Black consumers, and 2.9% for Asian consumers. The number of total households that receive traditional TV signals through an over-the-air antenna, cable, DBS, Telco, or a broadband internet connection connected to a TV set is currently at 96.2%, a 0.1 increase in percentage points from the 96.1% estimated last year for 2020.
To gather data for the report, the researcher combined information from its TV panel, the U.S. Census Bureau, and information collected during the recruitment of homes for Nielsen’s People Meter panel. It plans to release final Universe Estimates before the start of each TV season.
Nielsen applies TV penetrations to convert the total household and population estimates to TV households and persons therein. For purposes of the study, the researcher defined a TV household in the US as a home with access to at least one operable TV set that can receive audio and video through a cable, satellite, or over-the-air source, or through streaming video from an internet source.
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