In 2025, Fox and CBS led the primetime TV ratings, boosted by the Super Bowl and strong programming, while networks like Families and Dr. Phil's Merit Street declined significantly. Nielsen's new data methods caused some rating fluctuations, with sports and live events helping certain networks like ESPN and TruTV to perform well. Overall, traditional TV networks experienced varied fortunes, with some gaining viewers and others losing ground amid streaming competition.
The 2024-25 TV season's most-watched series, according to Nielsen, is Netflix's 'Squid Game,' which leads the rankings, with traditional broadcast shows like 'High Potential' and 'Matlock' also performing well. The new multiplatform ratings reveal that Netflix dominates viewership, especially among younger audiences, while broadcast TV remains strong in total viewers. The season highlights a resurgence of comedy and long-standing reality shows, with cable TV showing limited presence in the top rankings.
Linear TV viewing in the United States dropped below 50% for the first time in July 2023, according to Nielsen. Streaming services like YouTube and Netflix accounted for a record 38.7% of total TV usage, while cable's share fell below 30% for the first time. Broadcast usage also declined. Among streaming platforms, YouTube had the largest share of TV usage, followed by Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. The top streamed titles were "Suits" and "Bluey."
Free Ad-Supported Television (FAST) services like Pluto TV offer a curated, never-ending stream of content that removes the stress of choice and allows viewers to relax and let go. Unlike on-demand streaming, FAST services are structured like TV channels and offer a solid array of content, including local news, for the price of periodic attention on ads. As viewing behaviors shift towards mobile devices, FAST TV offers a way to get the affordability of broadcast with the breadth of streaming.
