CBS Leads Broadcast Viewership, Netflix's 'Squid Game' Dominates Overall Ratings

Nielsen's first full season of multiplatform ratings for 2024-2025 reveals that CBS is the top broadcast network, averaging 9.1 million viewers across broadcast and streaming platforms, and placing six series in the top 20 most-watched shows overall. CBS's 'Tracker' leads among broadcast titles with 17.5 million viewers, while 'Matlock' and ABC's 'High Potential' are tied as the top freshman broadcast series, each averaging 16.1 million viewers. NBC and ABC follow CBS in overall viewership with 7.2 million and 6.9 million viewers respectively, while Fox ranks fourth. Despite CBS’s dominance among broadcasters, Netflix outpaces all networks with 'Squid Game' drawing an average 27.1 million viewers, and holding half of the top 20 spots. Amazon Prime Video’s 'Reacher' also ranks highly, confirming the growing influence of streaming services. The results highlight that while streaming continues to dominate overall viewership, broadcast television—especially CBS—remains a significant force in American entertainment.