According to Nielsen, 23.3% of US households are watching high-definition, digital TV (HDTV) programing. Nielsen attributed the rise -- from just 10% in July 2007 -- to lower prices for sets, more HD programming and the impetus of the approaching DTV transition date of Feb 17, 2009. Sports is the most popular HDTV programming, with HDTV viewers watching 54% more sports. But folks apparently like to get a good look at their elected officials, with HDTV viewers watching 25% more political programming than folks without HDTVs. Washington (DC) had the highest penetration rates among the largest markets at 31.1%, followed closely by Boston at 30.5% and New York at 30.2%. Detroit had the lowest at 20.9%.
