The historic population drain researchers documented in Florida earlier this year is going to hit the TV industry next season -- as The Nielsen Company predicts the Tampa Bay area, Miami-Ft. Lauderdale and Ft. Myers/Naples will drop among the overall rankings of U.S. television markets.

The Tampa-St.Petersburg market dips one level in the 2009-2010 TV season to number 14 -- after losing more than 16,000 TV households since last season -- with a total 1,805,810 TV households. Miami-Ft. Lauderdale drops one place to 17th, after losing 8,800 TV households. And Ft. Myers dropped two spots to 64th place, losing 9,500 TV households.

Nielsen's data indicates every major Florida market except for Jacksonville saw declines in its TV households -- the number of homes which have a television. To see the numbers, click here. Such numbers shouldn't be a surprise, given that the state has lost population this year for the first time since the 1940s.

Experts say the drops shouldn't affect advertising revenue significantly -- though falling out of the Top 10, Top 15 or Top 20 might affect prices for national commercials.

TV markets are ranked across the U.S. according to their number of TV households. The Tampa-St. Petersburg area remains the state's largest TV market -- despite having a smaller population than the Miami area -- because our population is spread out in more homes, with fewer people per household.

The Tampa Bay market -- which covers 10 counties, including Clearwater and Sarasota -- climbed to 12th in 2005.

Overall, Nielsen estimates the total number of U.S. TV households will increase .3 percent to 114.9-million. To see the full rankings of all 210 markets nationwide, click here.