New findings from Nielsen’s Television Audience Report show that in 2009 the average American home had 2.86 TV sets, which is roughly 18% higher than in 2000 (2.43 sets per home), and 43% higher than in 1990 (2.0 sets). In addition, there continue to be more TVs per home than people – in 2009 the average U.S. home had only 2.5 people vs 2.86 television sets.

This year about 54% of homes in the U.S. had more than 3 or more television sets, 28% had 2 television sets and only 18% had 1 television set.

Other Key Stats

There are 114.5 million TV homes in the U.S. in 2009

• 38% of U.S. TV homes have digital cable.
• 88% have a DVD player, while VCR fell to 72%.
• 82% of homes have more than 1 television set.
• 11% of U.S. TV homes only have the capability to receive TV reception “over the air”. These homes have neither cable nor ADS.

Download Nielsen’s Television Audience Report.