The demographic universe estimates for the 1978-1979 television season as defined and published by Nielsen Media Research.
| Demographic | Population | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Households | 74,500,000 | |
| Persons 2+ | 204,660,000 | |
| Persons 2-11 | 32,660,000 | 16.0% |
| Persons 6-11 | 20,650,000 | 10.1% |
| Persons 12-17 | 23,840,000 | 11.7% |
| Persons 18+ | 148,160,000 | 72.4% |
| Persons 18-34 | 59,680,000 | 29.2% |
| Persons 18-49 | 94,480,000 | 46.2% |
| Persons 25-54 | 79,060,000 | 38.6% |
| Persons 35+ | 88,480,000 | 43.2% |
| Persons 50+ | 53,680,000 | 26.2% |
| Persons 50-54 | 11,590,000 | 5.66% |
| Persons 55+ | 42,090,000 | 20.6% |
| Persons 55-64 | 20,050,000 | 9.80% |
| Males 12-17 | 12,110,000 | 5.92% |
| Males 18+ | 70,120,000 | 34.3% |
| Males 18-34 | 29,180,000 | 14.3% |
| Males 18-49 | 46,060,000 | 22.5% |
| Males 25-54 | 38,460,000 | 18.8% |
| Males 55+ | 18,500,000 | 9.04% |
| Males 55-64 | 9,450,000 | 4.62% |
| Females 12-17 | 11,730,000 | 5.73% |
| Females 18+ | 78,040,000 | 38.1% |
| Females 18-34 | 30,500,000 | 14.9% |
| Females 18-49 | 48,420,000 | 23.7% |
| Females 25-54 | 40,600,000 | 19.8% |
| Females 55+ | 23,590,000 | 11.5% |
| Females 55-64 | 10,600,000 | 5.18% |