The Biggest TV Shows of 2025-2026 Revealed Who Dominated the Ratings
The final TV ratings for the 2025-2026 season have been released, and it’s evident that streaming platforms are leading the charge in the television industry.
After analyzing 35 days of viewing data from both traditional television and streaming services, Nielsen has disclosed which shows captured the largest audiences throughout the season.
According to Nielsen’s multiplatform ratings, Netflix’s ‘Stranger Things‘ emerged as the biggest non-sports series of the entire TV season. The final figures indicate that the hit sci-fi series attracted 32.9 million viewers, making it the most-watched entertainment program across broadcast, cable, and streaming.
Overall, Netflix had a remarkable year, securing several top spots in the rankings. ‘His & Hers‘ finished in second place with 25.6 million viewers, while ‘Sean Combs: The Reckoning‘ followed closely in third with 20.6 million viewers.
These impressive ratings underscore the growing influence of streaming services. While traditional networks still deliver some of television’s biggest hits, streaming platforms are increasingly competing for top rankings and drawing substantial audiences weeks after episodes premiere.
A notable surprise in the final rankings was Paramount+’s ‘Landman,’ which exceeded expectations by finishing as the fourth most-watched show of the season with 19.8 million viewers. Its success contributed to Taylor Sheridan’s ongoing impressive streak, with multiple shows from his creative universe appearing among the year’s biggest hits.
CBS also celebrated a significant win with ‘Marshals,’ which became the most-watched broadcast series of the season. The show garnered 19.3 million viewers during its 35-day multiplatform window, surpassing many established favorites.
CBS maintained its strong performance in the broadcast rankings, claiming four of the top five spots. Alongside ‘Marshals,’ the network also achieved success with ‘Tracker,’ which ranked second among broadcast shows with 16.3 million viewers.
Other successful CBS shows included ‘Matlock, ‘Sheriff Country, ‘Ghosts, ‘NCIS, and ‘Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage. The network also saw several new shows break into the rankings, such as ‘Marshals, ‘Sheriff Country, ‘Boston Blue, and ‘CIA, marking one of CBS’s strongest seasons in years.
ABC also had much to celebrate, particularly among younger viewers. ‘High Potential‘ became the most-watched broadcast series among adults aged 18-49, achieving a 3.35 rating in that demographic. The show also ranked ninth overall among all broadcast, cable, and streaming programs with 16 million total viewers.
The network also experienced strong performances from ‘Abbott Elementary, ‘The Rookie, ‘Dancing With the Stars, and ‘Will Trent. ABC secured five of the top six broadcast shows in the adults 18-49 category, demonstrating that its programming resonates with younger audiences.
Examining the overall top 25 list reveals a diverse mix of winners, showcasing the evolving television landscape. Netflix, Paramount+, ABC, CBS, HBO Max, and Prime Video all achieved success, with shows like ‘Bridgerton, ‘The Pitt, ‘Fallout, ‘Monster: The Ed Gein Story, and ‘The Lincoln Lawyer attracting millions of viewers.
The final rankings were determined using Nielsen’s 35-day multiplatform data, which combines traditional television viewing with streaming metrics. This measurement covered the entire 2025-2026 broadcast season, which spanned from September 14, 2025, to May 24, 2026.
The key takeaway from this year’s data is that there is no longer a single victor in television. Streaming powerhouses like Netflix can dominate with global hits, while networks such as CBS and ABC continue to demonstrate that traditional television retains a significant audience.
With ‘Stranger Things‘ leading the entertainment category and broadcast hits like ‘Marshals‘ and ‘High Potential‘ showcasing the strength of network television, the 2025-2026 season illustrated that audiences are still engaged—they’re just consuming content in more diverse ways than ever before.
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