A term coined by the TV ratings company Nielsen to describe families that have stopped paying for cable and satellite TV service, and don't even use an antenna to get free signals over the air. These people watch shows and movies on the Internet, sometimes via cellphone connections. Zero TVers tend to be younger, single and without children. Many of them say their new lifestyle is less about saving money than choice; they don't want someone else dictating the media they get every day.

Zero TV homes, now ranging in the millions, represent an important viewer market for TV ratings and broadcasters.