
The 100 Most-Watched TV Series of 2024-25: 'Squid Game' Dominates the Rankings!
2025-05-29
Author: Wai
Broadcast's Unexpected Comeback
Despite the rumors of broadcast television's decline, it's experiencing a notable resurgence! Longtime favorites like 'NCIS,' 'Law & Order: SVU,' and 'Grey's Anatomy' continue to captivate audiences, serving as a reminder that broadcast TV is far from over. This season has ushered in some exciting new entries, with ABC's 'High Potential' and CBS's 'Matlock' emerging as top contenders.
Nielsen's Game-Changing Ratings
With the introduction of Nielsen's multiplatform ratings, we finally gain insights into the viewing habits across traditional and streaming platforms. This allows for clear comparisons that reflect the true popularity of shows in today's blended viewing landscape. For the first time, we can definitively see how shows stack up against one another based on audience metrics.
Unveiling the Viewership Numbers
For instance, 'High Potential' debuted with 8.2 million viewers on linear TV and significantly boosted its numbers with an additional 7.9 million from streaming on Hulu, totaling a staggering 16.1 million viewers. Similarly, 'Matlock' kicked off with 10.5 million on CBS and gained 5.5 million through Paramount+. This trend is particularly evident in the younger demographics, where many viewerships are driven by streaming.
Netflix Reigns Supreme
It's no surprise that Netflix continues to dominate the charts, with five of the top ten shows of the season. Season 2 of 'Squid Game' claimed the title of the most-watched series, averaging an astonishing 27.1 million viewers, making it an undeniable phenomenon. Following closely is the limited series 'Adolescence' at 19 million viewers, proving that Netflix's content pipeline is strong.
Comedy is Back!
Laughter is thriving on TV once again! Besides 'Nobody Wants This,' other comedies like 'Running Point' and 'A Man on the Inside' from Netflix have emerged as viewer favorites, alongside CBS's 'Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage' and 'Ghosts.' The latter has recently received a two-season renewal, solidifying its status as a fan favorite.
Surprising Hits from YouTube to Reality TV
Who would have thought that preschool sensation 'Ms. Rachel' would average 11.5 million viewers? Competing with shows like 'Bluey,' she's become a formidable presence on streaming platforms. Meanwhile, long-standing reality shows such as 'Survivor,' 'American Idol,' 'The Voice,' and 'Dancing with the Stars' are proving they still have mass appeal, with notable viewing figures for their recent seasons.
Cable on the Decline
Unfortunately, basic cable is struggling, with 'Yellowstone' from Paramount Network being the only show to crack the top 100. CBS had to make hard decisions, canceling several dramas that still had respectable viewership numbers. The trend indicates that while broadcast is making a comeback, traditional linear viewing remains a challenge, especially among younger audiences.
The Viewing Landscape of 2024-2025
As we dive into the season's most-watched series, one thing is clear: the future of television viewing continues to evolve. The lines between linear and streaming are blurring, and the battle for viewer attention is only heating up. Expect more shifts as shows adapt to the rapidly changing preferences of the audience.