The total number of television households in the United States (including Alaska and Hawaii) is estimated at 106,700,000, according to Nielsen Media Research. The new universe estimate will take effect with the broadcast week of August 26-September 1, 2002, meaning each national rating point will represent one percent of the total, or 1,067,000 television households.

Spending is directly linked to lifestage. Although the spending of middle-aged householders has always been above average thanks to their higher incomes, the importance of the middle-aged is greater than ever because their ranks have swelled with the large Baby-Boom generation. Boomer householders, now essentially filling the 35-to-54 age group, control more than half of the nation’s total household spending.

comScore Networks reported record results in consumer e-commerce for the third quarter of 2002. Total consumer online sales for the quarter reached $17.9 billion, up 35 percent versus the third quarter of 2001 and up two percent versus the second quarter of 2002. Year-to-date sales through Sept. 30 totaled $52.5 billion, up 41 percent versus the same period in 2001, and nearly equal to the $53.1 billion in spending posted in all of 2001.

According to a recent report from Nielsen//NetRatings, US households making annual salaries of between $100,000 and $150,000 represent the fastest growing income group online, rising by 20% between September 2001 and September 2002. Following close behind, reports Nielsen, is the income group of those making between $150,000 and $999,999, increasing by 14% over the same period of time.

Consumers looking for great bargains this holiday season will not be disappointed, according to the findings of a new National Retail Federation (NRF) survey. The NRF 2002 Holiday Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, conducted by BIGresearch for NRF, also indicates consumers plan to spend an average of $649, an increase of 2.6 percent from 2001 projected spending.

Nielsen//NetRatings reports that more than 32 million surfers, or 27 percent of the active online population visited a music site during the month of August 2002. Despite a host of legal challenges that continue to affect the sector, traffic remains strong as music fans look to the Web for access to free and paid music content.

Every year at this time, The Harris Poll asks Americans which state they would choose to live in, not including where they live now. For the last five years, Florida has received the most votes, usually followed by California or Colorado. This year, for the first time since asking this question in 1997, California moves into top place, pushing Florida into the number two position. Hawaii retains its place in third, followed by Colorado and North Carolina.

Among the latest findings in comScore Media Metrix' Week on the Web, weather information sites have become important destinations for tens of millions of Internet users each month. Interestingly, geography matters: Internet users in the U.S. Pacific Census region - which has a steadier climate - are 24 percent less likely to visit the Weather category versus the total U.S. population. Conversely, users in the Eastern regions of New England, Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic - with more dramatic changes in climate - collectively are 14 percent more likely to visit these services.

MeasureCast, Inc. announced that Internet-only station RADIOIO, simulcaster Virgin Radio, and Internet radio network Clear Channel Worldwide led the MeasureCast charts for the week of September 29. Of the top 25 stations measured by MeasureCast, 13 streamed more hours during the week of September 29 than they did a week earlier. Seventeen stations attracted larger audiences.

The Nielsen//NetRatings audience measurement data for the week ending October 13th shows activity for Government, Non-Profit, Home and Fashion Sites. Not surprisingly, a few more males frequent the Government sites, whole the women dominate the Home and Fashion category.