Florida’s first population contraction since World War II is now affecting how advertisers see the Tampa-St. Petersburg market for the upcoming television season.

Nielsen Media Research said four of Florida’s major television markets – Tampa, Miami, Fort Myers and Tallahassee – are down in the overall ranking of designated market areas because of declines in domestic migration.

Despite a rapidly deteriorating housing market and plunging real estate values, Florida is experiencing an unprecedented number of requests to build new homes and develop commercial property.

The requests are coming from developers with an eye on a future real estate bubble, and those who don’t want to be hamstrung by the Hometown Democracy Amendment supporters are trying to put on the 2010 ballot that would give local residents the right to decide how land is used.

TAMPA - For years, Tampa Bay welcomed thousands of new residents who fueled a frenetic real estate climate and one of the fastest-growing job markets in the country.Those days seem long-gone now.

A U.S. Census report released Thursday shows population growth from 2006 to 2007 has slowed considerably for many of Florida's municipalities, including Tampa.It's a trend some economists predict will continue through 2010.