TV Basics: Time Spent Viewing – Persons
Traditionally, women in TV households have spent the most time viewing television, averaging 5 hours a day. Men are next, hovering around the 4-hour mark. Teens and children have been viewing at about the same levels, just above the 3-hour mark. In 2006, Men increased to 4:35. Women, still number one, remained at 5:17. Teens increased to 3:22, and Children were up 7 minutes to 3:26.
--------- Time Spent Per Day ---------
Year
Men
Women
Teens
Children
1988
3:59
4:41
3:18
3:22
1989
3:58
4:39
3:09
3:28
1990
3:51
4:28
3:15
3:18
1991
4:01
4:36
3:16
3:11
1992
4:02
4:40
3:10
3:08
1993
4:04
4:41
3:07
3:07
1994
4:02
4:39
3:05
3:06
1995
4:02
4:38
3:02
3:07
1996
3:58
4:34
2:49
2:59
1997
3:56
4:33
2:54
3:03
1998
3:57
4:33
2:58
2:57
1999
4:02
4:40
3:02
2:58
2000
4:11
4:46
3:04
3:07
2001
4:19
4:51
3:04
3:12
2002
4:22
4:58
3:09
3:10
2003
4:29
5:05
3:07
3:14
2004
4:26
5:07
3:07
3:16
2005
4:31
5:17
3:19
3:19
2006 4:35 5:17 3:23 3:26
2007 4:35 5:14 3:21 3:25

Source: Nielsen Media Research, NTI Annual Averages
Prior to 9/87: Audimeter Sample
9/87 to date: People Meter Sample; 2006 forward reflects Live Plus 7 data

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