The 2024-25 television season has transformed how we measure success in the streaming era. For the first time, Nielsen’s comprehensive 35-day multiplatform ratings provide a complete picture of viewership across streaming, broadcast, and cable platforms. This unprecedented data reveals surprising shifts in audience behavior, with streaming giants like Netflix dominating global rankings while traditional networks maintain strong viewership through their digital platforms. Let’s explore the ten most-watched series that captured audiences worldwide this season.
1. Squid Game (Netflix) – 27.1 Million Viewers
Drama/Thriller
The long-awaited second season of Netflix’s global phenomenon returned with even more deadly games and higher stakes. Following the success of its record-breaking first season, “Squid Game” Season 2 continued the story of contestants risking their lives in deadly children’s games for a massive cash prize.
With 27.1 million average viewers, the series dominated global viewership charts by a significant margin. Its popularity stems from the combination of intense social commentary, visually striking game sequences, and the return of fan-favorite characters alongside new contestants.
2. Adolescence (Netflix) – 19 Million Viewers
Drama/Coming-of-Age
This surprise hit limited series captured 19 million viewers with its raw portrayal of teenage life in the digital age. “Adolescence” follows a group of high school students navigating complex social dynamics, mental health challenges, and identity formation in a hyper-connected world.
The show’s unflinching approach to sensitive topics resonated with viewers across generations, while its exceptional young cast delivered performances that critics called “revelatory” and “painfully authentic.” Its unexpected success demonstrates the continued appetite for coming-of-age stories that reflect contemporary realities.
3. Tracker (CBS/Paramount+) – 11 Million Viewers
Crime/Drama
Proving that broadcast television can still compete with streaming giants, “Tracker” emerged as the third most-watched series overall with 11 million viewers. The show follows Colter Shaw (Justin Hartley), a lone-wolf survivalist who uses his expert tracking skills to help solve mysteries and find missing persons while dealing with his own troubled past.
The series benefited from its dual distribution model, with significant viewership on both CBS linear broadcasts and Paramount+ streaming. Its procedural format with overarching character development struck a perfect balance between episodic satisfaction and long-term storytelling, appealing to both traditional TV viewers and streaming audiences.
4. Reacher (Prime Video) – 10.8 Million Viewers
Action/Thriller
Prime Video’s adaptation of Lee Child’s bestselling novels continued its strong performance in its second season, drawing 10.8 million viewers. The series stars Alan Ritchson as Jack Reacher, a former military police investigator who drifts from town to town, becoming involved in dangerous situations that require his unique skills.
The show’s popularity stems from its faithful adaptation of the source material, Ritchson’s pitch-perfect portrayal of the physically imposing yet intellectually sharp protagonist, and the satisfying blend of mystery, action, and character development. Prime Video’s binge-release model also contributed to its success, allowing fans to consume the entire season at their preferred pace.
5. High Potential (ABC/Hulu) – 16.1 Million Viewers
Crime/Procedural
ABC’s “High Potential” exemplifies the evolving TV landscape, with its 16.1 million viewers split almost evenly between traditional broadcast (8.2 million) and streaming on Hulu (7.9 million). The series follows a brilliant but unconventional woman with an extraordinary IQ who is recruited by law enforcement to solve complex cases.
The show’s success demonstrates the power of cross-platform distribution, particularly in reaching younger demographics who primarily consume content through streaming. Its procedural format with strong character development and compelling lead performance has made it one of the breakout hits of the season, proving that broadcast networks can still launch major successes in the streaming era.
6. Matlock (CBS/Paramount+) – 16 Million Viewers
Legal Drama
This reimagining of the classic legal drama stars Kathy Bates as Madeline “Matty” Matlock, a brilliant attorney who returns to practice law later in life. With 16 million viewers (10.5 million on CBS and 5.5 million via Paramount+), the series has successfully revitalized a beloved franchise for a new generation while honoring its roots.
The show’s success can be attributed to Bates’ commanding performance, compelling legal storylines that balance procedural elements with character development, and its ability to attract both nostalgic viewers of the original series and newcomers. Like other successful broadcast shows this season, “Matlock” benefits significantly from its streaming presence on Paramount+.
7. Landman (Paramount+) – 14.5 Million Viewers
Drama
From “Yellowstone” creator Taylor Sheridan, “Landman” stars Billy Bob Thornton in this modern-day tale set in the world of oil rigging in West Texas. The series attracted 14.5 million viewers with its authentic portrayal of the boom-and-bust world of the oil industry and the complex lives of those who work in it.
As Paramount+’s highest-rated original series, “Landman” benefits from Sheridan’s proven track record in creating compelling American dramas with strong sense of place. Thornton’s nuanced performance as a crisis manager navigating both professional challenges and personal demons resonated with viewers, while the show’s exploration of energy politics, environmental concerns, and economic realities gave it substantial depth beyond its character-driven narrative.
8. Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story (Netflix) – 13.7 Million Viewers
True Crime/Drama
Following the success of “Dahmer,” Ryan Murphy’s “Monsters” anthology continued with this dramatization of the infamous Menendez brothers case, attracting 13.7 million viewers. The limited series explores the complex family dynamics, abuse allegations, and sensational murder trial that captivated America in the early 1990s.
The show’s unflinching approach to difficult subject matter, combined with nuanced performances and Murphy’s signature visual style, made it a talking point across social media. Its success demonstrates the continued public fascination with true crime narratives, particularly when they reexamine well-known cases through contemporary perspectives on trauma, family dysfunction, and the justice system.
9. Nobody Wants This (Netflix) – 12.8 Million Viewers
Romantic Comedy
In a season dominated by dramas and thrillers, “Nobody Wants This” emerged as the most-watched comedy with 12.8 million viewers. This romantic comedy follows the unlikely relationship between an agnostic podcast host and a progressive rabbi as they navigate their religious differences, family expectations, and personal insecurities.
The show’s success can be attributed to its fresh take on the romantic comedy genre, authentic representation of modern dating challenges, and the exceptional chemistry between its leads. Its witty dialogue, thoughtful exploration of faith and identity, and relatable portrayal of relationship dynamics resonated with viewers seeking lighthearted yet meaningful entertainment.
10. The Night Agent (Netflix) – 12.5 Million Viewers
Political Thriller
Rounding out our top 10 is “The Night Agent,” a political thriller that attracted 12.5 million viewers in its second season. The series follows a low-level FBI agent who works in the White House basement, monitoring an emergency line that never rings—until one night when it does, plunging him into a dangerous conspiracy.
Building on its successful first season, the show continued to deliver tightly-plotted suspense, compelling character development, and timely political intrigue. Its success demonstrates Netflix’s ability to build sustainable franchises in the thriller genre, with the perfect balance of episodic tension and season-long arcs that keep viewers engaged throughout the binge-watching experience.
Streaming Platform Comparison: Where to Watch the Most-Watched TV Series 2024-25
| Series | Platform | Genre | Viewers (Millions) | Region Popularity | Release Model |
| Squid Game | Netflix | Drama/Thriller | 27.1 | Global | Weekly |
| Adolescence | Netflix | Drama/Coming-of-Age | 19.0 | North America, Europe | All at once |
| Tracker | CBS/Paramount+ | Crime/Drama | 11.0 | North America | Weekly |
| Reacher | Prime Video | Action/Thriller | 10.8 | Global | All at once |
| High Potential | ABC/Hulu | Crime/Procedural | 16.1 | North America | Weekly |
| Matlock | CBS/Paramount+ | Legal Drama | 16.0 | North America | Weekly |
| Landman | Paramount+ | Drama | 14.5 | North America | Weekly |
| Monsters: Menendez | Netflix | True Crime/Drama | 13.7 | North America, Europe | All at once |
| Nobody Wants This | Netflix | Romantic Comedy | 12.8 | Global | All at once |
| The Night Agent | Netflix | Political Thriller | 12.5 | Global | All at once |
Find Your Next Binge-Worthy Series
With so many outstanding shows across multiple platforms, there’s never been a better time to discover your next favorite series. Most streaming services offer free trials, allowing you to explore their content libraries before committing to a subscription.
The Changing Landscape of Television in 2024-25
The 2024-25 television season marks a significant milestone in how we measure and understand viewership. For the first time, Nielsen’s comprehensive 35-day multiplatform ratings provide a complete picture across streaming, broadcast, and cable, revealing several important trends.
Netflix continues to dominate global viewership, claiming five of the top ten spots including the season’s most-watched series, “Squid Game.” However, traditional networks have successfully adapted to the streaming era through dual distribution strategies, with shows like “High Potential” and “Matlock” drawing significant audiences on both broadcast and their affiliated streaming platforms.
The data also reveals a clear generational divide in viewing habits. While total viewership for broadcast shows remains strong, the 18-49 demographic increasingly consumes this content through streaming platforms rather than linear broadcasts. This shift has profound implications for advertisers and content creators moving forward.
As we look ahead to the 2025-26 season, these trends suggest that successful television will continue to embrace multi-platform distribution, with content designed to work across both traditional and streaming environments. The distinction between “TV shows” and “streaming shows” is increasingly meaningless—what matters is compelling storytelling that finds its audience wherever they choose to watch.
Priyanka Pandey
Senior Research Editor · Top10Sense
Priyanka specializes in tech, consumer products, and digital trends. She combines hands-on testing, vendor interviews, and database research to create trustworthy “Top 10” rankings. Her work has been referenced by industry blogs and brand report pages.
