Hispanics and Asians remain the fastest- growing national segments of the population, with television households increasing by 4.4 percent among Hispanics and 3.9 percent among Asians over last year, according to The Nielsen Company.

In local markets, Nielsen estimates that Los Angeles continues to remain the number one Hispanic market, followed by New York, Miami, Houston and Chicago. Los Angeles also has the country's largest Asian community, followed by New York, San Francisco, Honolulu and Chicago. New York is the largest African-American TV market, followed by Atlanta, Chicago, Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia.

NATIONAL CHANGES

Nielsen's National Universe Estimates (the estimates of U.S. television households) also show that the number of Black or African-American television households grew faster than the national U.S. average, 1.5% versus 1.3%, respectively

LOCAL MARKET CHANGES

Nielsen's universe estimates for Hispanic, African-American and Asian- American TV households in its 210 local television markets, also called Designated Market Areas (DMAs), reflect the rapid growth of ethnic populations. These estimates will be used for commercial advertising purposes for the 2007-2008 television season.

Within the Black or African-American household estimates, there was a change within the top three DMAs. Atlanta moved up from third to second in rank, due to a 6.3% increase in its Black or African-American TV household population. New Orleans climbed two ranks to 23 indicating the strong recovery of Black or African-American populations in the market. Other notable increases include Minneapolis-St. Paul moving up two ranks into the Top 50, and Syracuse moving up one rank to the top 100.

Within the Hispanic household estimates, there was a change in the top ten DMAs with Phoenix moving up to rank eight. Changes in the Hispanic market ranks reflect the emergence of new Hispanic gateway areas over previous historic immigration destinations. Charlotte moved up three ranks to 40, further indicating recent trends in Hispanic immigration. Within the Asian household estimates, there was also a change in the top ten DMAs with Houston moving up to rank nine. Las Vegas moved up one rank to 16, while New Orleans increased four ranks to 47, further indicating population recovery in the market.