TV Basics: Television Households
In 1950, television penetration of U.S. households was only 9.0%. It didn’t take long to grow, however, and within only five years it was up to 64.5%. By 1965 it reached 92.6%, and from there it has grown to its current 98.2% level.


Total U.S.
Households
(000)
TV Households
(000)
%
With TV
1950 43,000  3,880  9.0
1955 47,620  30,700  64.5
1960 52,500  45,750  87.1
1970 
61,410
58,500
95.3
1971 
62,910
60,100
95.5
1972 
64,850
62,100
95.8
1973 
67,210
64,800
96.4
1974 
68,310
66,200
96.9
1975 
70,520
68,500
97.1
1976 
71,460
69,600
97.4
1977 
73,100
71,200
97.4
1978 
74,700
72,900
97.6
1979 
76,240
74,500
97.7
1980 
77,900
76,300
97.9
1981 
81,840
79,900
98.1
1982 
83,120
81,500
98.1
1983 
84,940
83,300
98.1
1984 
85,430
83,800
98.1
1985 
86,530
84,900
98.1
1986 
87,590
85,900
98.1
1987 
89,130
87,400
98.1
1988 
90,270
88,600
98.1
1989 
92,030
90,400
98.2
1990 
93,760
92,100
98.2
1991 
94,800
93,100
98.2
1992
93,680
92,100
98.3
1993 
94,710
93,100
98.3
1994 
95,860
94,200
98.3
1995 
97,060
95,400
98.3
1996 
97,540
95,900
98.3
1997 
98,610
97,000
98.4
1998 
99,680
98,000
98.3
1999 
101,240
99,400
98.2
2000 
102,680
100,800
98.2
2001

104,080

102,200

98.2

2002

107,400

105,500

98.2

2003

108,620

106,700

98.2

2004

110,420

108,400

98.2

2005 111,630 109,600 98.2
2006

112,260

110,200

98.2

2007 113,410 111,400 98.2
2008

114,890

112,800

98.2


*Reflects adjustments to conform to the 1990 census.

Source: Nielsen Media Research.
1970-79, as of Sept. of prior year.
1980 to date as of Jan. of calendar year.

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