-By Katy Bachman, Brandweek

NEW YORK The number of TV households will increase 1.5 percent to nearly 114.5 million, while ethnic TV households and the persons-55-and-older category continue to outpace the general population, according to Nielsen's universe estimates for the 2008-09 TV season.

The biggest growth is among Asian TV households, up 4.4 percent to 4.7 million; followed by Hispanic households, up 4.3 percent to 12.6 million; and black or African-American households, up 2.2 percent to almost 14 million.

In terms of age demographics, the 55-and-older segment grew 2.7 percent to 71 million-plus.

Among the 210 TV markets measured by Nielsen, 58 markets moved up in rank, with more than half in the Southeast or Mountain regions. For the first time in 20 years, there were no changes in rank among the top 20 markets.

Notable market rank changes include Indianapolis, which moves from No. 26 to No. 25. Las Vegas continues to grow, moving up one slot to No. 42. Austin, Texas, moves from No. 51 to No. 49.

Nielsen's national universe estimates will be effective as of Sept. 1, 2008.

Local market estimates will be effective in meter markets beginning Sept. 27 and October/November for the diary markets. Universe estimates for African-American, Hispanic and Asian TV households will be released in early September.

Adweek is a unit of the Nielsen Co.