Now that the 2024/25 television season is almost over (bar a handful of upcoming finales on Broadcast over the next weeks) it’s time to take a look at TV and Streaming’s most popular shows this year.
For the first time ever, Nielsen, the go-to source for audience measurement and media consumption, has released multi-platform data showing how various media outlets compare per episode over a 35 day period, and by extrapolating, how well each performed over the TV season as a whole.
The results include delayed viewing through DVRs and VOD services, with the measurement date range from Sept. 15, 2024 through March 16, 2025.
On Broadcast, CBS leads the ‘Big 4’ with an average of 9.1 million viewers per episode of TV, making it the most watched Network in primetime this season. NBC lands in second place with 7.2 million viewers, followed by ABC (6.9 million) and FOX (4.3 million).
At 27.1 million views per episode, Streaming’s most popular show, by quite a wide margin, is Squid Game, returning shortly for a final third season.
The number two spot, with 19 million views per episode, belongs the harrowing British mini drama series Adolescence, while Reacher takes third place with 18.1 million views per episode.
On Broadcast, CBS shows dominate, with Tracker (17.5), Matlock (16.1), George & Mandy’s First Marriage (12.1) and Ghosts (12.1) appearing in the top 5. ABC’s High Potential ties for 2nd place with 16.1 million views per episode. All broadcast data includes views from streaming platforms belonging to the Network, e.g. views from Paramount+ contribute to CBS, while views from Peacock contribute to NBC etc.
Perhaps one of the biggest takeaways from the new metrics released today is just how well Broadcast shows are holding up against many streaming juggernauts, with 8 Broadcast shows listed among the top 20 most watched shows this season. Of those 8, 6 originate from CBS, and 2 from ABC.
Meanwhile Netflix continues to dominate the Streaming landscape this season.
TOP 10 SHOWS ON STREAMING
Streaming ratings for the 2024-25 TV season
| RANK | SHOW | STREAMER | MILLIONS OF VIEWS PER EPISODE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SQUID GAME | NETFLIX | 27.1 |
| 2 | ADOLESCENCE | NETFLIX | 19.0 |
| 3 | REACHER | PRIME VIDEO | 18.1 |
| 4 | MONSTERS: THE LYLE & ERIC MENENDEZ STORY | NETFLIX | 15.7 |
| 4 (TIED) | ZERO DAY | NETFLIX | 15.7 |
| 6 | NOBODY WANTS THIS | NETFLIX | 15.2 |
| 7 | LANDMAN | PARAMOUNT+ | 15.0 |
| 8 | THE NIGIHT AGENT | NETFLIX | 14.8 |
| 9 | AMERICAN PRIMEVAL | NETFLIX | 13.8 |
| 10 | RUNNING POINT | NETFLIX | 13.1 |
TOP 20 SHOWS ON BROADCAST
Broadcast Network ratings for the 2024-25 TV season
| RANK | SHOW | NETWORK | MILLIONS OF VIEWS PER EPISODE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | TRACKER | CBS | 17.5 |
| 2 | MATLOCK | CBS | 16.1 |
| 2 (TIED) | HIGH POTENTIAL | ABC | 16.1 |
| 4 | GEORGE & MANDY’S FIRST MARRIAGE | CBS | 12.1 |
| 4 (TIED) | GHOSTS | CBS | 12.1 |
| 6 | WILL TRENT | ABC | 11.6 |
| 7 | ELSBETH | CBS | 11.5 |
| 7 | WATSON | CBS | 11.5 |
| 9 | 9-1-1 | ABC | 11.2 |
| 10 | SHIFTING GEARS | ABC | 11.1 |
| 11 | THE ROOKIE | ABC | 10.7 |
| 12 | FBI | CBS | 10.6 |
| 12 (TIED) | NCIS | CBS | 10.6 |
| 14 | BLUE BLOODS | CBS | 10.1 |
| 15 | CHICAGO P.D. | NBC | 9.8 |
| 16 | CHICAGO MED | NBC | 9.7 |
| 17 | FIRE COUNTRY | CBS | 9.6 |
| 18 | NCIS: ORIGINS | CBS | 9.4 |
| 19 | CHICAGO FIRE | NBC | 9.2 |
| 20 | ABBOTT ELEMENTARY | ABC | 8.9 |
TOP 20 SHOWS, ALL PLATFORMS
Multiplatform ratings for the 2024-25 TV season
| RANK | SHOW | STREAMER | MILLIONS OF VIEWS PER EPISODE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SQUID GAME | NETFLIX | 27.1 |
| 2 | ADOLESCENCE | NETFLIX | 19.0 |
| 3 | REACHER | PRIME VIDEO | 18.1 |
| 4 | TRACKER | CBS | 17.6 |
| 5 | MATLOCK | CBS | 16.1 |
| 5 (TIED) | HIGH POTENTIAL | ABC | 16.1 |
| 7 | MONSTERS: THE LYLE & ERIC MENENDEZ STORY | NETFLIX | 15.7 |
| 7 (TIED) | ZERO DAY | NETFLIX | 15.7 |
| 9 | NOBODY WANTS THIS | NETFLIX | 15.2 |
| 10 | LANDMAN | PARAMOUNT+ | 15.0 |
| 11 | THE NIGIHT AGENT | NETFLIX | 14.8 |
| 12 | AMERICAN PRIMEVAL | NETFLIX | 13.8 |
| 13 | RUNNING POINT | NETFLIX | 13.1 |
| 14 | A MAN ON THE INSIDE | NETFLIX | 12.4 |
| 15 | GEORGIE & MANDY’S FIRST MARRIAGE | CBS | 12.1 |
| 15 (TIED) | GHOSTS | CBS | 12.1 |
| 17 | WILL TRENT | ABC | 11.6 |
| 18 | ELSBETH | CBS | 11.5 |
| 18 (TIED) | WATSON | CBS | 11.5 |
| 18 (TIED) | 1923 | PARAMOUNT+ | 11.5 |
| 18 (TIED) | MRS RACHEL | NETFLIX/YOUTUBE | 11.5 |
