Most Watched TV Shows of All Time
There are many ways to measure a show’s audience, from live TV ratings to time shifting and global streaming tallies. What never changes is how certain series break out of their era and pull in viewers across generations and countries. These are the titles that packed living rooms during their original runs and kept people coming back in reruns and on streaming platforms.
This list gathers long running broadcast staples, record setting finales, and worldwide breakout hits. You will see scripted dramas and comedies alongside competition and reality powerhouses because all of them reached massive audiences in their own lanes. We also note each show’s home network or platform in a natural way to give context on where their reach began.
‘Game of Thrones’ (2011–2019)
The fantasy epic built a weekly appointment audience across multiple seasons with simultaneous broadcasts and streams that grew year after year. Its global footprint expanded through international partners while viewers kept catching up through on demand libraries.
The series originated on HBO, which bundled linear premieres with its streaming app to lift total viewership. The finale became a cultural event that drove one of the biggest day of tallies in premium cable history.
‘Friends’ (1994–2004)
The ensemble comedy maintained top tier broadcast ratings through much of its run with consistent performance in a coveted primetime slot. Strong syndication kept the episodes in heavy rotation and introduced the show to new audiences.
It premiered on NBC where a stable Thursday lineup helped it thrive. Later streaming availability created fresh spikes in viewing as entire seasons stayed among the most watched library titles.
‘The Big Bang Theory’ (2007–2019)
This multi camera comedy delivered some of the largest average audiences of its era, finishing multiple seasons at or near the top among scripted shows. Its wide appeal translated into extensive off network reruns that remained strong in daytime and primetime blocks.
The show aired on CBS, which paired it with compatible comedies to anchor the schedule. Streaming windows and a long tail in syndication kept viewership climbing well past the finale.
‘NCIS’ (2003–present)
The procedural steadily built into one of the most watched dramas on television with a large episode library that supports frequent reruns. International versions and spinoffs expanded awareness and helped the mothership sustain interest.
It is a CBS series that benefited from a consistent broadcast presence and broad affiliate reach. The show’s catalog has also drawn sizable audiences on streaming services that license past seasons.
‘Grey’s Anatomy’ (2005–present)
The medical drama became a fixture in primetime with strong live viewership and even larger totals once delayed and digital viewing were counted. Its long running storytelling encouraged season long catch ups that kept numbers high.
It launched on ABC, where it moved through time slots while holding a loyal base. Availability on the network’s streaming partners helped new viewers start from the beginning and boosted overall hours watched.
‘The Walking Dead’ (2010–2022)
The apocalyptic drama set records for a cable series with live same day audiences that rivaled broadcast shows. Midseason and season premieres often posted event level spikes that kept the franchise in the conversation.
It aired on AMC, which supported marathon catch ups before key episodes. Streaming access for previous seasons drew in latecomers and kept total viewership strong between premieres.
‘Breaking Bad’ (2008–2013)
The crime saga grew season over season as word of mouth and streaming catch ups pushed more viewers to live airings. The final season saw a notable surge as audiences caught up and tuned in for the conclusion.
The series aired on AMC, and its availability on streaming between seasons helped fuel the late run growth. Reruns and the follow up film continued to add to the cumulative audience.
‘The Sopranos’ (1999–2007)
This landmark drama pulled premium cable to new heights with Sunday night viewership that held across multiple seasons. Its finale drew one of the most discussed audiences of the decade and remains a frequent rewatch choice.
It premiered on HBO, where bundled subscriptions and on demand access increased reach. The full catalog has remained a steady performer whenever it returns to the platform’s featured rows.
‘Seinfeld’ (1989–1998)
The sitcom became a top ranked ratings force in the mid to late nineties and delivered a finale that brought in a massive audience. Its rerun value proved exceptional with constant airings across local stations and cable.
It ran on NBC and was programmed in signature comedy blocks that lifted weekly numbers. Streaming deals later introduced the entire run to new viewers who watched in large volumes.
‘MAS*H’ (1972–1983)
The series kept high ratings through a long broadcast life and culminated in one of the most watched finales in American television history. Its blend of drama and comedy translated well to reruns that stayed popular for decades.
It aired on CBS, which maintained a stable schedule that supported consistent viewing habits. The show’s library has also been a strong performer whenever a platform adds classic television collections.
‘Cheers’ (1982–1993)
The bar set sitcom became a reliable ratings draw and closed with an event finale that brought in a huge national audience. Its spinoff momentum and syndication runs kept the characters familiar to later generations.
It originated on NBC and benefited from placement within a powerhouse comedy night. Ongoing cable and streaming exposure continued to generate long tail viewing.
‘The Simpsons’ (1989–present)
The animated series amassed one of the largest episode counts in primetime and maintained strong weekly viewership across many seasons. Its cultural reach and flexible scheduling led to constant reruns around the world.
It is a Fox series that also streams in full through the studio’s library deals. The combination of new episodes and an enormous back catalog drives sustained hours watched.
‘American Idol’ (2002–present)
The singing competition dominated live viewing for multiple seasons and produced some of the highest nightly totals of the 2000s. Live results shows and finales regularly delivered event level audiences.
It began on Fox before relaunching on ABC, with both networks using strong lead in strategies to maximize reach. National tours and digital clips helped keep engagement high between episodes.
‘ER’ (1994–2009)
The medical drama debuted with large numbers and remained a ratings force for many years with cinematic episodes that drew broad audiences. Its long run created a deep library that continued to perform in syndication.
It ran on NBC and typically held steady on Thursday nights where the network concentrated top shows. Streaming availability of classic seasons later renewed interest in early arcs.
‘CSI: Crime Scene Investigation’ (2000–2015)
The forensic procedural reshaped primetime with top tier ratings and successful international sales. Its brand extended into multiple spinoffs that reinforced the core show’s visibility.
The original series aired on CBS and anchored a lineup that emphasized crime dramas. Library rights and revivals kept viewers returning to the franchise across platforms.
‘Dallas’ (1978–1991)
The prime time soap reached worldwide audiences with serialized storytelling that encouraged weekly tune in. The famous cliffhanger helped drive one of the most watched conclusions to a TV mystery when the answer aired.
It was a CBS series with broad domestic coverage and extensive international distribution. Reruns and a later continuation sustained recognition and added to cumulative viewing.
‘Survivor’ (2000–present)
The reality competition became a breakout hit with season after season of solid live audiences. Its simple format and returning structure encouraged new viewers to jump in at any point.
It airs on CBS where regular scheduling and event finales support consistent turnout. Streaming back catalogs help fans revisit older seasons, adding to total viewing time.
‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire’ (1999–present)
The quiz show arrived with extraordinary primetime numbers during its initial run and later continued in daytime syndication. Special primetime events drew large audiences for milestone episodes.
The American version launched on ABC, which programmed frequent airings at its peak to meet demand. The format’s global reach and rerun friendly structure kept viewers engaged across years.
‘Bonanza’ (1959–1973)
The Western was a staple of early color television and maintained high ratings across a long run. Regular weekend placement made it a dependable choice for families and helped build a loyal following.
It aired on NBC and benefited from the network’s push into color broadcasts. Subsequent cable marathons and classic TV blocks kept the series in circulation for decades.
‘Gunsmoke’ (1955–1975)
One of the longest running primetime dramas, the Western held strong audience numbers across both half hour and hour formats. Its extensive episode count made it ideal for reruns that filled schedules nationwide.
The show was a CBS mainstay during a foundational period for American television. Later restorations and specialty channel airings introduced it to younger viewers.
‘I Love Lucy’ (1951–1957)
The sitcom set early records for weekly audience share and produced specials that drew enormous attention. Its live audience production and physical comedy made the episodes timeless for reruns.
It originally aired on CBS and became a cornerstone of the network’s early success. Syndication and restored releases have kept viewership healthy across many eras.
‘The X-Files’ (1993–2018)
The science fiction drama posted strong ratings through its nineties peak with event episodes that spiked live viewership. Later seasons and revivals continued to attract sizable audiences.
It premiered on Fox and often aired in blocks that encouraged back to back viewing. Streaming added an easy path for new fans to start from the pilot and work through mythology arcs.
‘Lost’ (2004–2010)
The mystery drama delivered large weekly numbers with serialized storytelling that kept viewers returning. Season premieres and finales regularly produced event sized audiences.
It aired on ABC, which used extensive recaps and specials to help viewers stay current. After the finale, the full series performed well on streaming, building cumulative viewing beyond the original broadcast.
‘House’ (2004–2012)
The medical procedural mixed stand alone cases with ongoing arcs that supported broad weekly viewership. It ranked among the most watched shows globally during several seasons due to extensive international sales.
It ran on Fox and often occupied a strong lead in or lead out position to maximize reach. Post run streaming and cable marathons maintained steady audience interest.
‘Downton Abbey’ (2010–2015)
The period drama drew large audiences in the United Kingdom and built a strong following in the United States through public television premieres and later on demand viewing. Holiday specials and finales posted especially high totals.
It originated on ITV and reached American viewers through PBS, which gave it a prestige slot that supported sustained growth. The complete series has remained a reliable performer in library sections.
‘Stranger Things’ (2016–present)
The science fiction series became one of the most watched streaming originals with season launches that set platform records. Its release strategy encouraged rapid catch ups and long viewing sessions.
It is a Netflix title where new seasons drive large spikes in total hours watched. The show’s earlier seasons also see renewed attention whenever fresh episodes arrive, adding to overall totals.
Share your own picks for the most watched TV shows in the comments and tell us which ones you think still draw big audiences today.
