There are about 266 mln TVs in the US, and that number is growing by 3.5 mln per year. By 2009, when 50% of all new TV sales are expected to be HDTVs with big screens, TV energy use will reach about 70 bln kilowatt-hours per year nationwide – about 50% higher than currently. Americans spend 16% more time in front of the TV than in the 1980s – if DVD and video-game viewing is included, according to the Nielsen Group.