• by Wayne Friedman , August 27, 2010

Nielsen will add 1 million TV homes to its official numbers -- 0.9% -- for the start of the broadcast season, more than double the number of a year ago.

Nielsen says there are 115.9 million TV homes for the upcoming 2010-2011 broadcast season from 114.9 million a year ago -- gaining just 0.3%. At the start of the 2008-2009 season, the TV research company pegged the total number of TV homes at 114.5 million, rising 1.5% from the season before.

Looking at total TV viewers, Nielsen says there will now be 2 million more people in its TV ranks, to 294.65 million.

Not many changes have taken place when looking at the top 20 markets. Miami-Ft. Lauderdale climbed into 16th spot from 17th place; Denver moved down one to 17th from 16th position. Among smaller markets, two Texas areas gained: Odessa-Midland and Austin, both rising four spots.

Fewer changes to Nielsen's TV homes are reflective of overall slower U.S. household growth and large declines in domestic migration, particularly to Sun Belt areas. Nielsen says major metropolitan areas lost less population than usual, partially attributable to baby boomers delaying retirement plans, individuals unable to sell their homes and/or individuals unwilling to move away from job-heavy markets.

Following the weak economy in specific regions with declining home prices, Nielsen says previous fast growth markets -- Las Vegas and Florida markets -- showed diminished growth or even declines in the last two estimates.