Nielsen estimates that the number of television homes in the U.S. for the 2017-18 season is 119.6 million, up 1% from 118.4 last season.
The number of people age 2 and older is 304.5 million, according to Nielsen’s new universe estimates, up 0.9%.
The universe numbers are the foundation for Nielsen’s TV rating and share information, used to determine the popularity of networks and shows, as well as advertising revenue.
Related: Nielsen to Credit Video Views on Facebook, Hulu and YouTube
Amid all the talk of cord cutting, Nielsen says the percentage of homes receiving traditional TV signals via broadcast, cable, satellite, telco or via broadband-connected TV sets is 96.5%, up 0.5 percentage points from last year.
In its most recent Total Audience report, Nielsen said that the number of traditioanl pay TV subscribers fell 1.4%, while broadcast-only homes and streaming-only homes rose.
Related: Nielsen: Sports, News Top Out-of-Home TV Genres
Nielsen says it uses U.S. Census Bureau data, combined with information from the national TV panel, to arrive at Advance TV Universe Estimates in early May. It then distributes final Universe Estimates before the start of each TV season.
The 2018 National Universe Estimates reflect real changes in population since last year and updated TV penetration levels, differentially calculated for qualifying market breaks and age/sex demographic categories.
