List of most watched television broadcasts

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The following is a partial list of most watched television broadcasts, organized by country and based on various criteria.

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Contents

World [edit]

Worldwide viewership statistics cited in press releases by television networks, FIFA, the NFL and others have been questioned by independent groups and audience figures cited in billions are considered practically unverifiable. FIFA has admitted that numbers have been massively exaggerated in some cases, and simply guessed in others.[1]

Estimates for the 2008 Summer Olympics opening ceremony global TV viewership varied between one and four billion,[2][3][4][5][6][7] including an estimated 842 million viewers watching on host Chinese broadcaster China Central Television.[2] A verifiable audience of 984 million tuned in to the opening ceremony at some stage, averaging at 593 million, while 778 million watched the closing ceremony.[8] The 2008 Summer Olympics is the current record holder for a multi-day broadcast. It is estimated by Nielsen Media Research that up to 4.7 billion individual viewers (70% of the world's population) watched some part of the coverage.[9]

The 2006 FIFA World Cup Final was watched by 715 million people, as estimated by FIFA.[10] IPG independent media agency Initiative Worldwide estimated an average of 260 million, with 600 million who tuned for some part of the game.[11] The independent firm Initiative Futures Sport + Entertainment estimate a reach of 638 million and an average of 322 million viewers.[12]

On 20 July 1969, 530 million people watched the first humans ever to walk on the surface of the moon (this constituted around 14% of total population of the world at the time),[13][14] despite the fact that the first moonwalk took place in the middle of the night in Europe (at 02:56 in Ireland, Portugal and the United Kingdom and 03:56 in France, Germany, Italy and Spain) and it was not broadcasted at all in the Eastern Bloc[15] except Romania[16]

A satellite broadcast for an Elvis Presley show live from Hawaii, titled Aloha from Hawaii on 14 January 1973, is reported to have reached 1 billion viewers globally.[17][18][unreliable source?] Some breakdowns of the figures suggest 40% of the Japanese television audience,[19] and 91.8% of the television audience in the Philippines,[20] with an estimated 51% of the American television audience[19] when it aired later in America on 4 April 1973.[19][21]

The 2011 Cricket World Cup semi-final between India and Pakistan is reported to have been watched by about one billion people by The Guardian,[22] which if accurate would mean it had more than twice as many viewers as the actual final, which was watched by 400 million people based on the available data.[23]

The annual Eurovision Song Contest is reported to have between 100 and 600 million viewers, depending on the source.[24][25]

Many events in the world have been reported as been watched by large audiences, sometimes by billions – although most of the figures do not have reliable sources, and are given by the promoters of such events to boost viewership, sometimes before the actual airing.[26] The wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton was expected to draw a global audience of two billion,[27] but only drew a verified audience of 161 million viewers from 47% of the world population.[23] Other examples are the wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales, and Lady Diana Spencer,[28][29] the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales[26][30][31] Michael Jackson's memorial service,[32] and the rescue of the 33 trapped Chilean miners in 2010.[33]

National [edit]

Australia [edit]

The list below is the top ten most watched broadcasts in Australia since 2001 as measured by OzTAM. These figures represents the Five Metro Capital audience (Syd-Mel-Bris-Per-Ade) and don't include regional figures.

1 2005 Australian Open – Men's Singles Final: Marat Safin def. Lleyton Hewitt 4,045,000 02005-01-012005 Seven Network
2 2003 Rugby World Cup Final 4,016,000 02003-01-012003 Seven Network
3 MasterChef Australia (season 2) – finale challenge 3,962,000 02010-07-2525 July 2010 Network Ten
4 MasterChef Australia (season 1) – winners announcement 3,560,000 02009-07-1919 July 2009 Network Ten
5 2006 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony 3,560,000 02006-01-012006 Nine Network
6 2005 AFL Grand Final (Sydney Swans v West Coast Eagles) 3,386,000 02005-01-012005 Network Ten
7 Australian Idol: The final verdict 3,344,000 02004-01-012004 Network Ten
8 The Voice Australia: Grand final/Winner announced 3,325,000 02012-06-1818 June 2012 Nine Network

Canada [edit]

The most watched television broadcast in Canadian history was the Gold medal game of the men's hockey tournament at the 2010 Winter Olympics, played between the United States and Canada at GM Place (renamed "Canada Hockey Place" for the Olympics) in Vancouver. A confirmed 16.6 million Canadians watched the whole game, roughly one-half of the country's entire population.[34] A groundbreaking 26.5 million Canadians watched some part of the game, over 80 percent of the country's 34-million-person population.[35] According to multiple sources, 13.3 million Canadians watched the Opening Ceremonies of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, which was the previous record.[36]

Many believed the final game of the 1972 Summit Series had up to 18 million viewers, but this was not so; only 4.3 million people watched it. 10.3 million people watched the ice hockey gold medal final of the 2002 Winter Olympics.[37]

China [edit]

China Central Television's Spring Festival Gala has regularly attracted between 700 million to one billion viewers since the early 1980s.[citation needed] As of 2007, their main evening news broadcast (Xinwen Lianbo) had a daily audience of around 135 million people, a low figure compared to earlier years.[citation needed]

Follow Me! a BBC beginner's English programme broadcast in China as part of the re-establishment of an educational system after the end of the Cultural Revolution.[38][39] The programme, broadcast on one of China's three channels from 1981 to 1989,[38] has been estimated to have attracted a nightly audience of 350 million people during the early 1980s.[39]

India [edit]

The 2011 Cricket World Cup Final was watched by 135 million viewers across the country in cable & satellite, terrestrial and DTH homes aMap.[40] The official broadcaster ESPN Star Sports (ESS) via its STAR Cricket channel experienced all-time high TRPs, had raised ad rates for 10 second slots during the finals to INR2.4 million (US$44,000), prior to the final.[41] Over 1 billion people watched the cricket game between India and Pakistan.

Germany [edit]

Rank Show Episode Number of Viewers Share Date Network
1 2010 FIFA World Cup Germany vs Spain (semi-final) 31.10 million1, 4 83.2% 02010-07-077 July 2010 Das Erste
2 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany vs Italy (semi-final) 29.66 million1, 2, 3 84.1% 02006-07-044 July 2006 ZDF
3 2010 FIFA World Cup Ghana vs. Germany (group game) 29.19 million1, 4 79.7% 02010-06-2323 June 2010 Das Erste 5 1990 FIFA World Cup West Germany vs Argentina (final) 28.66 million 01990-07-099 July 1990 Das Erste
6 UEFA Euro 1996 Germany vs Czech Republic (final) 28.44 million 76.3% 01996-06-3030 June 1996 ZDF
7 UEFA Euro 2008 Austria vs Germany (group game) 28.04 million1, 5 76.9% 02008-06-1616 June 2008 ZDF
8 UEFA Euro 2012 Germany vs Italy (semi-final) 27.98 million 6 76.8% 02012-06-2828 June 2012 Das Erste
9 The Black Forest Clinic "Die Schuldfrage" (engl.: The question of guilt) 27.97 million 01985-11-1717 November 1985 ZDF
10 2010 FIFA World Cup Germany vs Australia (group game) 27.91 million1, 4 74.4% 02010-06-1313 June 2010 Das Erste
11 UEFA Euro 2008 Portugal vs Germany (quarter-final) 27.70 million1, 5 78.7% 02008-06-1919 June 2008 Das Erste
12 UEFA Euro 2012 Denmark vs Germany (group game) 27.65 million 74.2% 02012-06-1313 June 2012 ZDF
13 UEFA Euro 2012 Netherlands vs Germany (group game) 27.22 million 74.9% 02012-06-1717 June 2012 Das Erste
14 2002 FIFA World Cup Germany vs Brazil (final) 27.09 million 88.0% 02002-06-3030 June 2002 ZDF
  1. Public viewing areas were not included in these ratings.
  1. The approximated rating is about 60 to 70 million.[42]
  1. The extra time reached even 31.31 million viewers.[43]
  1. Summary of the 2010 FIFA World Cup ratings.
  1. Summary of the UEFA Euro 2008 ratings.
  1. Summary of the UEFA Euro 2012 Germany vs Italy semi-final game.
  • Note: The UEFA Euro 2008 final is missing from the list, because the lengthy trophy presentation was included into the official ratings. The game itself was watched by 28.05 million viewers.[44]

New Zealand [edit]

The following are the most watched television programmes or events in New Zealand since 1 January 1995, according to Nielsen TAM ratings.[45][46]

Rank Programme/Event Number of viewers
 Date Network
1 2011 Rugby World Cup – final between New Zealand and France 2,037,000 02011-10-2323 October 2011 TV One / TV3 / Sky / Māori
2 2011 Rugby World Cup – semifinal between New Zealand and Australia 2,024,000 02011-10-1616 October 2011 TV One / TV3 / Sky / Māori
3 2011 Rugby World Cup – opening game between New Zealand and Tonga 1,930,000 02011-09-099 September 2011 TV One / Sky / Māori
4 Boxing match between David Tua and Lennox Lewis 1,841,000 02000-11-1212 November 2000 TV3
5 One News special – Death of Diana, Princess of Wales 1,703,000 01997-08-3131 August 1997 TV One
6 2000 Summer Olympics – opening ceremony 1,654,000 02000-09-1515 September 2000 TV One
7 One News special – Funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales 1,650,000 01997-09-066 September 1997 TV One
8 2011 Rugby World Cup – quarter-final between New Zealand and Argentina 1,624,000 02011-10-099 October 2011 TV One / TV3 / Sky / Māori
9 2003 Rugby World Cup – final between England and Australia 1,605,000 02003-11-2222 November 2003 TV One
10 Martin Bashir's interview with Diana, Princess of Wales 1,517,000 01995-11-2121 November 1995 TV2
11 2011 Rugby World Cup – opening ceremony 1,499,000 02011-09-099 September 2011 TV One
12 2007 Rugby World Cup – quarter-final between New Zealand and France 1,410,000 02007-10-077 October 2007 TV3

Philippines [edit]

Here are the 30 all-time highest rating Philippine TV shows in the history of AGB-Nielsen Media Research based from the overnight ratings tabulation of AGB Nielsen Philippines (established in 1992) in Mega Manila as of February 2008. Take note that the ratings are from a single highest recorded episode of the show (in the case of the TV series) and it is not the average over-all ratings for the whole season.[47]

Rank Show Rating Year Network
1 The Battle: Pacquiao vs. Morales 83.5% 2006 ABS-CBN
2 Rosalinda 69.8% 1999 ABS-CBN
3 Meteor Garden 63.8% 2003 ABS-CBN
4 Esperanza 63.5% 1997 ABS-CBN
5 Miss Universe 1994 62.5% 1994 ABS-CBN
6 Pangako sa 'Yo 62.1% 2002 ABS-CBN
7 Marimar 61.7% 1994 RPN
8 Maria Mercedes 59.7% 1996 ABS-CBN
9 Miss Universe 1999 58.4% 1999 RPN
10 Bubble Gang 57.6% 1997 GMA
11 Maalaala Mo Kaya 57.3% 1992 ABS-CBN
12 Balitang K 56.6% 1998 ABS-CBN
13 Wansapanataym 56.4% 1997 ABS-CBN
14 TV Patrol 56% 1996 ABS-CBN
15 i-Witness 55.3% 1999 GMA
16 Magandang Gabi, Bayan 55% 2000 ABS-CBN
17 Darna 54.3% 2005 GMA
18 Mula sa Puso 53.7% 1997 ABS-CBN
19 Pacquiao vs. Barrera 52.9% 2004 RPN
20 2005 SEA Games 52.6% 2005 ABC
21 Basta't Kasama Kita 52.5% 2003 ABS-CBN
22 Star Circle Quest 52.3% 2004 ABS-CBN
23 F.L.A.M.E.S. 51.9% 1996 ABS-CBN
24 Encantadia 51.7% 2005 GMA
25 Marina 50.8% 2004 ABS-CBN
26 Pinoy Big Brother 50.4% 2005 ABS-CBN
27 Will to Win II: Pacquiao vs. Barrera 50% 2007 GMA
28 Marimar 49.5% 2007 GMA
29 Mojacko 49% 1998 GMA
30 Star Circle Quest 48.2% 2004 ABS-CBN

United Kingdom [edit]

Most watched programmes [edit]

The following is a list of most watched programmes, excluding sporting events and news coverage. The mid-1980s introduction of in-week repeat showings accounts for six of the top ten programmes. On this measure, the 1996 Christmas edition of Only Fools and Horses is the most watched non-repeated, non-documentary programme of all time in the UK. It is the third most watched programme of all time on a single channel after the 2012 Summer Olympics closing ceremony and the wedding of The Princess Anne in 1973 (see below).

  • Post-1981 figures verified by the Broadcasters' Audience Research Board (BARB)
  • Pre-1981 figures supplied by the British Film Institute
Rank Show Episode Number of viewers
(millions)		 Date Network
1 EastEnders Den divorces Angie. 30.15[48] 01986-12-2525 December 1986* BBC One
2 EastEnders 28.00[49] 01987-01-011 January 1987* BBC One
3 Coronation Street Hilda Ogden leaves 26.65[49] 01987-12-2525 December 1987* ITV (Granada)
4 Only Fools and Horses "Time on Our Hands" 24.35[50] 01996-12-2929 December 1996 BBC One
5 EastEnders 24.30[51] 01992-01-022 January 1992* BBC One
6 Royal Variety Performance 1965 Shirley Bassey, Peter Cook & Dudley Moore 24.20[52] 01965-11-1414 November 1965 ITV (ATV)
7 EastEnders 24.15[53] 01988-01-077 January 1988* BBC One
8 To the Manor Born Series 1 Finale 23.95[54] 01979-11-1111 November 1979 BBC One
9 Miss World 1967 23.76[52] 01967-11-1919 November 1967 BBC One
10 EastEnders 23.55[55] 01985-12-2626 December 1985* BBC One
11 Panorama Princess Diana 22.78[56] 01995-11-2020 November 1995 BBC One
12 Royal Variety Performance 1975 22.66[54] 01975-11-1616 November 1975 ITV (ATV)
13 This Is Your Life Lord Mountbatten 22.22[54] 01977-04-2727 April 1977 ITV (Thames)
14 Sunday Night at the London Palladium 21.89[52] 01967-12-033 December 1967 ITV (ATV)
15 The Benny Hill Show 21.67[54] 01971-03-2424 March 1971 ITV (Thames)
=16 Dallas J. R. Ewing's shooter is revealed 21.60[57] 01980-11-2222 November 1980 BBC One
=16 Coronation Street 21.60[51] 01992-01-088 January 1992 ITV (Granada)
18 Eurovision Song Contest 1973 21.56[54] 01973-04-077 April 1973 BBC One
19 Steptoe and Son 21.54[52] 01964-02-1818 February 1964 BBC One
20 The Mike Yarwood Show Mike Yarwood Christmas Show 21.40[54] 01977-12-2525 December 1977 BBC One
=20 Coronation Street 21.40[55] 01985-01-022 Jan 1985 ITV (Granada)
22 Coronation Street 21.36[52] 01964-12-022 December 1964 ITV (Granada)
23 Only Fools and Horses "If They Could See Us Now" 21.35[58] 02001-12-2525 December 2001 BBC One
24 Morecambe and Wise Morecambe and Wise Christmas Show 21.30[54] 01977-12-2525 December 1977 BBC One
  • Entries with an asterisk denote aggregated figure with repeat showing.

Most watched films [edit]

(by total number of viewers;[59] dates are when the films were broadcast, not necessarily when they were produced.)

Rank Show Number of viewers Date Network
1 Live and Let Die 23.50 million 01980-01-2020 January 1980 ITV
2 Jaws 23.25 million 01981-10-088 October 1981 ITV
3 The Spy Who Loved Me 22.90 million 01982-03-2828 March 1982 ITV
4 Diamonds Are Forever 22.15 million 01981-03-1515 March 1981 ITV
5 Crocodile Dundee 21.75 million 01989-12-2525 December 1989 BBC1

Most watched special events [edit]

The majority of special events attracting large audiences are often carried on more than one channel. The most watched programme of all time on a single channel is the 1973 wedding ceremony of HRH The Princess Anne, shown only on BBC1.

Rank Episode Number of viewers
(millions)		 Date Network
1 1966 FIFA World Cup Final 32.30[52] 01966-07-3030 July 1966 BBC One/ITV
2 Funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales 32.10[51] 01997-09-066 September 1997 BBC One/ITV
3 Royal Family (documentary) 30.69[52] 01969-06-2121 June 1969 and 01969-06-2828 June 1969 BBC One/ITV
4 Apollo 13 splashdown 28.60[54] 01970-04-1717 April 1970 BBC One/ITV
5 FA Cup Final replay: Chelsea vs. Leeds 28.49[54] 01970-04-2929 April 1970 BBC One/ITV
6 Wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales, and Lady Diana Spencer 28.40[57] 01981-07-2929 July 1981 BBC One/ITV
7 Wedding of Princess Anne and Mark Phillips 27.60[54] 01973-11-1414 November 1973 BBC One
8 2012 Summer Olympics closing ceremony 24.46[60] 02012-08-1212 August 2012 BBC One
9 2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony 24.24[61] 02012-07-2727 July 2012 BBC One
10 JFK Assassination – News Broadcast 24.15[52] 01963-11-2222 November 1963 BBC One/ITV
  • Note- The Royal Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton (29 April 2011) received a total audience peak of 26 million viewers, but this is a combined figure aggregated from the ten different channels that broadcast the ceremony. The highest figures of these were 13.59 million on BBC1, with an extra 4.02 million watching on ITV.[62]

Most watched programmes per year [edit]

Year Programme Date Number of Viewers (millions) Network
1981 Film: Jaws 8 Oct 1981 23.30[63] ITV
1982 Film: The Spy Who Loved Me 28 March 1982 22.90[64] ITV
1983 Coronation Street 23 February 1983 18.45[65] ITV
1984 The Royal Variety Performance 1984 25 November 1984 20.55[66] BBC One
1985 EastEnders 26 December 1985 23.55[55] BBC One
1986 EastEnders 25 December 1986 30.15[48] BBC One
1987 EastEnders 1 January 1987 28.00[49] BBC One
1988 Eastenders 5 February 1988 24.15[67] BBC One
1989 Film: Crocodile Dundee 25 December 1989 21.77[68] BBC One
1990 Neighbours 26 January 1990 21.16[69] BBC One
1991 Coronation Street 25 November 1991 20.45[70] ITV
1992 Coronation Street 22 January 1992 22.45[71] ITV
1993 Coronation Street 22 March 1993 20.73[72] ITV
1994 Torvill and Dean – Olympic Ice Dance Championship 21 February 1994 23.95[73] BBC One
1995 Panorama Special: Princess Diana 20 November 1995 22.78[56] BBC One
1996 Only Fools and Horses 29 December 1996 24.35[50] BBC One
1997 Funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales 6 September 1997 19.29[74] BBC One
1998 World Cup 98: England v Argentina 30 June 1998 23.78[75] ITV
1999 Coronation Street 7 March 1999 19.82[76] ITV
2000 Coronation Street 3 January 2000 18.96[77] ITV
2001 Only Fools & Horses 25 December 2001 21.35[58] BBC One
2002 Only Fools & Horses 25 December 2002 17.40[78] BBC One
2003 Coronation Street 24 February 2003 19.43[79] ITV
2004 Euro 2004: England v Portugal 24 June 2004 20.66[80] BBC One
2005 Coronation Street 21 February 2005 14.36[81] ITV
2006 World Cup 2006: England v Sweden 20 June 2006 18.46[82] ITV
2007 EastEnders 25 December 2007 14.38[83] BBC One
2008 Wallace and Gromit: A Matter of Loaf and Death 25 December 2008 16.15[84] BBC One
2009 Britain's Got Talent Final Result 30 May 2009 18.29[85] ITV
2010 The X Factor Results 12 December 2010 16.55[86] ITV
2011 The Royal Wedding 29 April 2011 13.59[87] BBC One
2012 2012 Summer Olympics Closing Ceremony 12 August 2012 24.46[88] BBC One
2013 Call the Midwife 3 February 2013 10.85[89] BBC One
  • Note- The Royal Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton (29 April 2011) received a total audience peak of 26 million viewers, but this is a combined figure aggregated from the ten different channels that broadcast the ceremony. The highest figures of these were 13.59 million on BBC1, followed by 4.02 million watching on ITV.

United States [edit]

Most watched series finales [edit]

 This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (May 2009)

(sources: Reuters, Variety, Nielsen Media Research, ratings data from USA Today weekly ratings charts)

Rank Series Number of Viewers
(in millions)		 Percent of Households Share Date Network
1 M*A*S*H 125.59[90] 60.2% 77% 01983-02-2828 February 1983 CBS
2 Cheers 84.4[90] 45.5% 64%[91] 01993-05-2020 May 1993 NBC
3 Seinfeld 76.3[90] 41.3% 58% 01998-05-1414 May 1998 NBC
4 Friends 52.46[90][92] 29.8% 43% 02004-05-066 May 2004 NBC
5 The Tonight Show
Starring Johnny Carson		 50.0[90] N/A N/A 01992-05-2222 May 1992 NBC
6 The Cosby Show 44.4[90] 28.0% 45% 01992-04-3030 April 1992 NBC
7 All in the Family 40.2[90][93] 26.6% 43% 01979-04-088 April 1979 CBS
8 Family Ties 36.3 20.8% 35% 01989-05-1414 May 1989 NBC
9 Home Improvement 35.5[94] 21.6%[95] 43%[94] 01999-05-2525 May 1999 ABC
10 Frasier 33.7[92] 16.3% 25% 02004-05-1313 May 2004 NBC
11 Dallas 33.3 22.0% 38% 01991-05-033 May 1991 CBS
12 Everybody Loves Raymond 32.9[92] 20.2% 29% 02005-05-1616 May 2005 CBS
13 Gunsmoke 30.9[93] N/A N/A 01975-03-3131 March 1975 CBS
14 The Fugitive 30.0[96] 45.9% 72% 01967-08-2929 August 1967 ABC
15 Newhart 29.5 18.7% 29% 01990-05-2121 May 1990 CBS
16 Star Trek: The Next Generation 27.8 20% 34% 01994-05-2323 May 1994 Syndication
17 The Golden Girls 27.2 18.9% 38% 01992-05-099 May 1992 NBC
18 Full House 24.3 14.6% 25% 01995-05-2323 May 1995 ABC
19 St. Elsewhere 22.5[93] 17% 29% 01988-05-2525 May 1988 NBC[97]
20 MacGyver 22.3 13.8% 26% 01992-05-2121 May 1992 ABC
21 Miami Vice 22.2 14.7% 23% 01989-05-2121 May 1989 NBC
22 L.A. Law 22.1 15.9% 27% 01994-05-1919 May 1994 NBC
23 ALF 21.7 13.1% 24% 01990-03-2424 March 1990 NBC
24 Growing Pains 21.1 13.3% 24% 01992-04-2525 April 1992 ABC
25 The Wonder Years 21.0 13.9% 23% 01993-05-1212 May 1993 ABC
26 Quantum Leap 20.6 13.7% 23% 01993-05-055 May 1993 NBC
27 Who's the Boss? 20.5 12.7% 24% 01992-04-2525 April 1992 ABC
28 The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air 19.9 13.1% 22% 01996-05-2020 May 1996 NBC
29 Mad About You 19.8 13.6% 20% 01999-05-2424 May 1999 NBC
30 Knots Landing 19.6 13.9% 22% 01993-05-1313 May 1993 CBS
31 Bonanza 19.3[93]  ?  ? 01973-01-1616 January 1973 NBC
32 Designing Women 18.8 14.2% 22% 01993-05-2424 May 1993 CBS
33 Matlock 18.7 13.2% 20% 01995-05-077 May 1995 ABC
34 Will & Grace 18.4 11.7% 18% 02006-05-1818 May 2006 NBC
35 The Facts of Life 18.2 13.2% 29% 01988-05-077 May 1988 NBC
36 Jake and the Fatman 18.1 12.9% 20% 01992-05-066 May 1992 CBS
37 Major Dad 17.9 12.6% 20% 01993-04-1616 April 1993 CBS
38 Murphy Brown 17.5 12.3% 19% 01998-05-1818 May 1998 CBS
39 Beverly Hills, 90210 16.8 11.9% 21% 02000-05-1717 May 2000 Fox
40 Roseanne 16.6 11.6% 19% 01997-05-2020 May 1997 ABC
41 Murder, She Wrote 16.5 12.3% 21% 01996-05-1919 May 1996 CBS
42 ER 16.4 10.4% 17% 02009-04-022 April 2009 NBC
43 NYPD Blue 16.1 10.4% 17% 02005-03-011 March 2005 ABC
44 Miami Vice 16.1 11.0% 21% 01989-06-2828 June 1989 NBC
45 Married... with Children 15.2 10.0% 16% 01997-05-055 May 1997 Fox
46 In the Heat of the Night 15.0 10.9% 17% 01995-05-1616 May 1995 CBS
47 Kate & Allie 14.9 11.9% 20% 01989-05-2222 May 1989 CBS
48 Dynasty 14.7 10.8% 17% 01989-05-1111 May 1989 ABC
49 Monday Night Football 14.4[98] 9.2% 16% 02005-12-2626 December 2005 ABC
50 Wings 14.2 10.2% 16% 01997-05-2121 May 1997 NBC
51 JAG 14.0[99] 9.0% 15% 02005-04-2929 April 2005 CBS
52 Mr. Belvedere 13.8 8.5% 16% 01990-07-088 July 1990 ABC
53 Lost 13.6 7.5% 13% 02010-05-2323 May 2010 ABC
54 Evening Shade 13.5 9.6% 15% 01994-05-2323 May 1994 CBS
55 The King of Queens 13.5 8.8% 13% 02007-05-1414 May 2007 CBS
56 Doogie Howser, M.D. 13.4 9.2% 14% 01993-03-2424 March 1993 ABC
57 Providence 13.3 9.0% 16% 02002-12-2020 December 2002 NBC
58 Life Goes On 13.2 8.9% 17% 01993-05-2323 May 1993 ABC
59 The X-Files 13.2[100] 7.9% 12% 02002-05-1919 May 2002 Fox
60 Coach 13.1 9.3% 16% 01997-05-1414 May 1997 ABC
61 Touched by an Angel 12.9[101] 8.9% 15% 02003-04-2727 April 2003 CBS
62 Amen 12.9 8.3% 19% 01991-05-1111 May 1991 NBC
63 The Walking Dead 12.4 9.3% 15% 02013-03-3131 March 2013 AMC
64 Falcon Crest 12.3 9.3% 15% 01990-05-1717 May 1990 CBS
65 Desperate Housewives 11.9 9.0% 14% 02012-05-1313 May 2012 ABC
65 3rd Rock from the Sun 11.9 7.9% 13% 02001-05-2222 May 2001 NBC
66 The Sopranos 11.9 6.5% 11% 02007-06-1010 June 2007 HBO
67 Empty Nest 11.6 8.7% 17% 01995-04-2929 April 1995 NBC
68 Ally McBeal 11.5 7.5% 11% 02002-05-2020 May 2002 Fox
69 Homicide: Life on the Street 11.4 8.4% 15% 01999-05-2121 May 1999 NBC
70 Without a Trace 11.2 7.3% 12% 02009-05-1919 May 2009 CBS
71 The Nanny 11.1 8.1% 14% 01999-05-1212 May 1999 CBS
72 Picket Fences 11.1 8.2% 14% 01996-04-2424 April 1996 CBS
73 The Practice 10.9 7.5% 13% 02004-05-1616 May 2004 ABC
74 Walker, Texas Ranger 10.8 6.8% 13% 02001-05-1919 May 2001 CBS
75 Judging Amy 10.8 7.6% 12% 02005-05-033 May 2005 CBS
76 Sex and the City 10.6[102]  ?  ? 02004-02-2222 February 2004 HBO
77 Becker 10.6 7.3% 11% 02004-01-2828 January 2004 CBS
78 Grace Under Fire 10.5 7.4% 11% 01998-02-1717 February 1998 ABC
79 Highway to Heaven 10.5 7.1% 16% 01989-08-044 August 1989 NBC
80 Melrose Place 10.4 7.3% 12% 01999-05-2424 May 1999 Fox
81 Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman 10.2 6.7% 15% 01998-05-1616 May 1998 CBS
82 Sisters 10.1 7.1% 14% 01996-05-044 May 1996 NBC
83 The West Wing 10.1 6.2% 10% 02006-05-1414 May 2006 NBC
84 That '70s Show 10.0 6.0% 10% 02006-05-1818 May 2006 Fox
85 Boy Meets World 10.0 6.1% 12% 02000-05-055 May 2000 ABC
86 Cold Case 10.0 6.4% 11% 02010-05-022 May 2010 CBS
87 Boston Legal 9.9 6.2% 10% 02008-12-088 December 2008 ABC
88 Ellen 9.9 7.1% 11% 01998-05-1313 May 1998 ABC
89 Wizards of Waverly Place 9.8[103] 7.1% 11% 02012-01-066 January 2012 Disney Channel
90 The Closer 9.8 7.1% 11% 02012-08-1313 August 2012 TNT
91 The District 9.7 6.6% 12% 02004-05-011 May 2004 CBS
92 The Unit 9.6 5.8% 10% 02009-05-1010 May 2009 CBS
93 Monk 9.4[104][105] 5.5% 9% 02009-12-044 December 2009 USA Network
94 A Different World 9.3 6.6% 14% 01993-05-088 May 1993 NBC
95 Nash Bridges 9.1 6.3% 12% 02001-05-044 May 2001 CBS
96 The Pretender 9.0 6.2% 12% 02000-05-1313 May 2000 NBC
97 Third Watch 9.0 6.1% 11% 02005-05-066 May 2005 NBC
98 24 8.9[106] 5.2% 8% 02010-05-2424 May 2010 Fox
99 Star Trek: Voyager 8.8 5.5% 9% 02001-05-2323 May 2001 UPN
100 House 8.7 5.8% 11% 02012-05-2121 May 2012 Fox
101 NewsRadio 8.6 6.5% 11% 01999-05-044 May 1999 NBC
102 Moonlighting 8.6 5.7% 10% 01989-05-1414 May 1989 ABC
103 Numb3rs 8.3 5.1% 9% 02010-05-1414 May 2010 CBS
104 Ed 8.2 5.8% 10% 02004-02-066 February 2004 NBC
105 Caroline in the City 8.1 6.3% 10% 01999-04-2626 April 1999 NBC
106 Las Vegas 8.0 5.0% 9% 02008-02-1515 February 2008 NBC
107 Cosby 7.9 5.2% 10% 02000-04-2828 April 2000 CBS
108 Law & Order 7.8 5.1% 9% 02010-05-2424 May 2010 NBC
109 Drake and Josh 7.8  ?  ? 02007-08-033 August 2007 Nickelodeon
110 Medium 7.8 4.9% 9% 02011-01-2121 January 2011 CBS
111 Malcolm in the Middle 7.5 4.8% 7% 02006-05-1414 May 2006 Fox
112 Chicago Hope 7.5 5.8% 9% 02000-05-044 May 2000 CBS
113 227 7.5 5.0% 8% 01990-05-066 May 1990 NBC
114 Dawson's Creek 7.3 4.8% 7% 02003-05-1414 May 2003 WB
115 Profiler 7.2 5.2% 10% 02000-05-066 May 2000 NBC
116 Brothers & Sisters 7.2[107] 4.9% 8% 02011-05-088 May 2011 ABC
117 The New Adventures of Old Christine 7.1 4.6% 6% 02010-05-1212 May 2010 CBS
118 Zoey 101 7.1 3.1% 5% 02007-05-088 May 2007 Nickelodeon
119 Spin City 6.9 4.8% 7% 02002-04-3030 April 2002 ABC
120 Ghost Whisperer 6.8 4.4% 9% 02010-05-2121 May 2010 CBS
121 Alias 6.7 4.5% 7% 02006-05-2222 May 2006 ABC
122 Dharma & Greg 6.7 4.7% 8% 02002-04-3030 April 2002 ABC
123 The O.C. 6.6 4.5% 6% 02007-02-2222 February 2007 Fox
124 Star Trek: Deep Space Nine 6.6 4.5% 5% 01999-06-022 June 1999 Syndication
125 Diagnosis: Murder 6.6 4.9% 10% 02001-05-1111 May 2001 CBS
126 Party of Five 6.5 4.8% 8% 02000-05-033 May 2000 Fox
127 Yes, Dear 6.5 4.4% 6% 02006-02-1515 February 2006 CBS
128 Living Single 6.5 4.5% 7% 01998-01-011 January 1998 Fox
129 Crossing Jordan 6.4 4.3% 7% 02007-05-1616 May 2007 NBC
130 Family Matters 6.4 4.5% 8% 01998-07-1717 July 1998 CBS
131 iCarly 6.4[108] 3.4%[109] 02012-11-2323 November 2012 Nickelodeon
132 Step by Step 6.3 4.3% 8% 01998-06-2626 June 1998 CBS
133 Hannah Montana 6.9 3.5% 5% 02011-01-1616 January 2011 Disney Channel
134 King of the Hill 6.0 3.5% 5% 02009-09-1313 September 2009 Fox
135 My Wife and Kids 5.9 4.2% 7% 02005-05-1717 May 2005 ABC
136 Ugly Betty 5.7 4.2% 7% 02010-04-1515 April 2010 ABC
137 Avatar: The Last Airbender 5.6[110] 3.1%[110]  ? 02008-07-1919 July 2008 Nickelodeon
138 The Drew Carey Show 5.4 3.7% 7% 02004-09-088 September 2004 ABC
139 Angel 5.3 3.3% 5% 02004-05-1919 May 2004 WB
140 Talking Dead 5.1 3.2% 6% 02013-03-3131 March 2013 AMC
141 Buffy the Vampire Slayer 4.9 2.9% 5% 02003-05-2020 May 2003 UPN
142 Gilmore Girls 4.9 3.1% 5% 02007-05-1515 May 2007 CW
143 30 Rock 4.88 1.9% 5% 02013-01-3131 January 2013 NBC
145 My Name Is Earl 4.8 3.2% 6% 02009-05-1414 May 2009 NBC
146 Sister, Sister 4.7 3.3% 6% 01999-05-2323 May 1999 WB
147 George Lopez 4.6 3.1% 5% 02007-05-088 May 2007 ABC
148 Charmed 4.5 2.8% 5% 02006-05-2121 May 2006 WB
147 Reba 4.4 2.8% 5% 02007-02-1818 February 2007 CW
148 The Parkers 4.4 2.8% 5% 02004-05-1010 May 2004 UPN
149 Heroes 4.4 2.8% 4% 02010-02-088 February 2010 NBC
150 Chuck 4.3 1.3% 4% 02012-01-2727 January 2012 NBC
151 According to Jim 4.1 2.5% 4% 02009-06-022 June 2009 ABC
152 Everwood 4.1 2.6% 4% 02006-06-055 June 2006 WB
153 Joey 4.1[111] 2.5% 4% 02010-02-088 February 2010 NBC
154 One Life to Live 3.8 2.7% 4% 02012-01-1313 January 2012 ABC
155 Star Trek: Enterprise 3.8 2.2% 4% 02005-05-1313 May 2005 UPN
156 Felicity 3.7 2.6% 4% 02002-05-2222 May 2002 WB
157 Scrubs 3.5 / 5.07 2.3% 4% 02010-03-1717 March 2010 ABC/NBC
158 7th Heaven 3.3 2.1% 4% 02007-05-1313 May 2007 CW
159 Prison Break 3.3 2.0% 4% 02009-05-1515 May 2009 Fox
160 Fringe 3.2[112] 1.9% 3% 02013-01-1818 January 2013 Fox
161 Smallville 3.02[113] 1.8% 3% 02011-05-1313 May 2011 The CW
162 Guiding Light 3.0 2.2% 3% 02009-09-1818 September 2009 CBS
163 WCW Monday Nitro 3.0 2.2% 3% 02001-03-2626 March 2001 TNT
164 "Victorious" 2.9 2.2% 3% 02013-02-022 February 2013 Nickelodeon
165 As the World Turns 2.8 2.1% 3% 02010-09-1717 September 2010 CBS
166 Battlestar Galactica 2.4[114] 1.4% 3% 02009-03-2020 March 2009 Syfy
167 Rescue Me 2.3[115] N/A N/A 02011-09-077 September 2011 FX
168 Stargate SG-1 2.2 N/A N/A 02007-03-1313 March 2007 Sci-Fi Channel
169 Dollhouse 2.1[116] 0.8% 3% 02010-01-2929 January 2010 Fox
170 Veronica Mars 2.1 0.8% 2% 02007-05-2222 May 2007 CW
171 One Tree Hill 2.0 0.9% 3% 02012-04-044 April 2012 CW
172 Gossip Girl 1.42 0.8% 2% 02012-12-1717 December 2012 CW

The finale is not necessarily a show's most watched episode. Friends, for example, had 52.9 million viewers for a 1996 episode that followed Super Bowl XXX. 7th Heaven's initial finale was watched by 7.8 million on the WB, but was picked up by the new network The CW, however the show was cancelled after another season and its final episode was watched by 3.3 million people.

M*A*S*H and Cheers finales [edit]

The number of viewers for M*A*S*H (105.9 million) and Cheers (80.4 million) are the numbers most commonly reported. M*A*S*H has also been reported at 121.6 million viewers and Cheers has been reported at 93.1 million viewers.[91][117] For M*A*S*H, 121.6 million represents the total audience who watched at least six minutes and the 105.9 million represents the viewers who watched the average minute.[118] Regular episodes of M*A*S*H were thirty minutes long, but the final episode was two hours and thirty minutes.

Most watched U.S. TV series [edit]

Nielsen began compiling ratings for television beginning in 1950. Prior to that year, television ratings were compiled by a number of other sources, including C. E. Hooper (which was bought out by Nielsen in February 1950) and Variety.

American Idol holds the record for most consecutive seasons at No. 1, with eight. Note however that American Idol usually airs two episodes a week; for the 2003–2004 season, only the Tuesday show was ranked No. 1, overall American Idol was ranked No. 2 that season. For the show taken as a whole, it was No. 1 for seven consecutive seasons.[119] All in the Family, and The Cosby Show share second place for most consecutive seasons at No. 1, with five each.

These are the programs that finished with the highest average Nielsen rating in each television season:

1950s [edit]
Season Show Network
1950–1951 Texaco Star Theater NBC
1951–1952 Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts CBS
1952–1953 I Love Lucy
1953–1954
1954–1955
1955–1956 The $64,000 Question
1956–1957 I Love Lucy
1957–1958 Gunsmoke
1958–1959
1959–1960
1960s [edit]
Season Show Network
1960–1961 Gunsmoke CBS
1961–1962 Wagon Train NBC
1962–1963 The Beverly Hillbillies CBS
1963–1964
1964–1965 Bonanza NBC
1965–1966
1966–1967
1967–1968 The Andy Griffith Show CBS
1968–1969 Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In NBC
1969–1970
1970s [edit]
Season Show Network
1970–1971 Marcus Welby, M.D. ABC
1971–1972 All in the Family CBS
1972–1973
1973–1974
1974–1975
1975–1976
1976–1977 Happy Days ABC
1977–1978 Laverne & Shirley
1978–1979
1979–1980 60 Minutes CBS
1980s [edit]
Season Show Network
1980–1981 Dallas CBS
1981–1982
1982–1983 60 Minutes
1983–1984 Dallas
1984–1985 Dynasty ABC
1985–1986 The Cosby Show NBC
1986–1987
1987–1988
1988–1989
1989–1990 (tie) The Cosby Show
(tie) Roseanne ABC
1990s [edit]
Season Show Network
1990–1991 Cheers NBC
1991–1992 60 Minutes CBS
1992–1993
1993–1994
1994–1995 Seinfeld NBC
1995–1996 ER
1996–1997
1997–1998 Seinfeld
1998–1999 ER
1999–2000 Who Wants to Be a Millionaire ABC
2000s [edit]
Season Show Network
2000–2001 Survivor:Australian Outback CBS
2001–2002 Friends NBC
2002–2003 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation CBS
2003–2004 American Idol Fox
2004–2005
2005–2006
2006–2007
2007–2008
2008–2009
2009–2010
2010s [edit]
Season Show Network
2010–2011 American Idol Fox
2011–2012 NBC Sunday Night Football NBC

[120]

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