The 1981-1982 television season is the 36th network season in United States television history. It began on Monday, September 21, 1981 and ended on Sunday, April 25, 1982. The effective start date of the 1981-82 season for the purposes of audience measurement was Monday, September 21, 1981 through Sunday, September 19, 1982.
Universe estimates used to calculate a program or network's rating within that particular demographic for the 1981-82 TV season. See the extended 1981-1982 universe estimates.
| Demographic | Population | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Households | 81,500,000 | |
| Persons 2+ | 215,650,000 | |
| Persons 2-11 | 32,760,000 | 15.2% |
| Persons 6-11 | 19,780,000 | 9.17% |
| Persons 12-17 | 22,030,000 | 10.2% |
| Persons 18+ | 160,860,000 | 74.6% |
| Persons 18-34 | 65,960,000 | 30.6% |
| Persons 18-49 | 104,140,000 | 48.3% |
| Persons 25-54 | 86,710,000 | 40.2% |
| Persons 35+ | 94,900,000 | 44.0% |