Nielsen: Even Fewer TV Homes For 2012-13 TV Season

Posted by | 08/31/2012 at 12:12 pm

For the second straight year, the number of U.S. television homes has declined.

The Nielsen Company has estimated that there will be 114.174 million U.S. television homes during the 2012-13 TV season, down less than one percent from the current season (114.649M), and down 2% from the 2010-11 season (115.905M).

This is the second straight year the number of television homes has declined. In addition, this marks the smallest Nielsen universe since the 2007-08 season (112.798M).

A few major league markets have changed ranks this season. Oklahoma City, home of the NBA’s Thunder, has jumped three spots from the #44 TV market to #41. New Orleans, home of the NBA’s Hornets and NFL’s Saints, rose one spot from the #52 market to #51. Finally, Buffalo — home of the NFL’s Bills — dropped one spot, from #51 to #52.

Of the 41 major league television markets, Miami-Ft. Lauderdale had the largest percentage increase in television homes (+2.4%), while Buffalo had the largest decrease (-2.0%). Both markets maintained the same ranking as last year.

Overall, only 15 major league markets gained homes compared to last year.

The smallest major league market remains Green Bay-Appleton, home of the NFL’s Packers, at #69.

List of Major League U.S. TV Markets
As of 2012-13 television season
* Because Green Bay-Appleton is not one of Nielsen’s 56 metered markets, Milwaukee is often used as the Packers’ home market.

# Market # of TV Homes NBA Teams NFL Teams MLB Teams NHL Teams
1
 New York 7,384,340 Knicks Giants Yankees Rangers
Jets Mets Devils
Nets
Islanders
2
 Los Angeles 5,613,460 Lakers none Dodgers Kings
Clippers Angels Ducks
3
 Chicago 3,484,800 Bulls Bears White Sox Blackhawks
Cubs
4
 Philadelphia 2,949,310 Sixers Eagles Phillies Flyers
5
 Dallas-Ft. Worth 2,588,020 Mavs Cowboys Rangers Stars
6
 SF/Oak/SJ 2,502,030 Warriors 49ers Giants Sharks
Raiders A’s
7
 Boston 2,366,690 Celtics Patriots Red Sox Bruins
8
 Washington, DC 2,359,160 Wizards Washington Nats Caps
9
 Atlanta 2,326,840 Hawks Falcons Braves none
10
 Houston 2,215,650 Rockets Texans Astros none
11
 Detroit 1,845,920 Pistons Lions Tigers Wings
12 Seattle-Tacoma 1,818,900 none Seahawks Mariners none
13
 Phoenix 1,812,040 Suns Cardinals D’Backs Coyotes
14 Tampa-St. Petersburg 1,806,560 none Bucs Rays Lightning
15
 Minneapolis-St. Paul 1,728,050 Wolves Vikings Twins Wild
16
 Miami-Ft. Lauderdale 1,621,130 Heat Dolphins Marlins Panthers
17
 Denver 1,566,460 Nuggets Broncos Rockies Avalanche
18
 Cleveland-Akron 1,485,140 Cavs Browns Indians none
19
 Orlando-Daytona 1,453,170 Magic none none none
20
 Sacramento-Stockton-Modesto 1,387,710 Kings none none none
21 St. Louis 1,243,490 none Rams Cardinals Blues
22
 Portland 1,182,180 Blazers none none none
23 Pittsburgh 1,165,740 none Steelers Pirates Penguins
24 Raleigh-Durham 1,150,350 none none none Canes
25
 Charlotte 1,136,420 Bobcats Panthers none none
26
 Indianapolis 1,089,700 Pacers Colts none none
27 Baltimore 1,085,070 none Ravens Orioles none
28 San Diego 1,075,120 none Chargers Padres none
29 Nashville 1,014,910 none Titans none Predators
31 Kansas City 931,320 none Chiefs Royals none
32 Columbus 930,460 none none none Jackets
33
 Salt Lake City 917,370 Jazz none none none
34
 Milwaukee 902,190 Bucks Packers* Brewers none
35 Cincinnati 897,890 none Bengals Reds none
36
 San Antonio 881,050 Spurs none none none
41
 Oklahoma City 718,770 Thunder none none none
49
 Memphis 662,830 Grizzlies none none none
50 Jacksonville 659,170 none Jaguars none none
51
 New Orleans 641,550 Hornets Saints none none
52 Buffalo 632,150 none Bills none none
69 Green Bay-Appleton 441,800 none Packers none none

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  • Sportsnut

    I don’t get it. Sure, Computers, the Web, Consoles… But isnt the USA still growing strongly? (millions per year)

  • Paulsen

    This article has nothing to do with attendance. When it comes to television ratings, MLS is not even remotely competitive with the NFL, MLB or NBA, and is only competitive with the NHL during the regular season and early rounds of the playoffs.