'Stranger Things' Is the Most Watched TV Show of 2025-26
The Hollywood Reporter • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Netflix's "Stranger Things" remains the most-watched series across all platforms for the 2025-26 season, averaging 32.9 million viewers over 35 days, marking the second consecutive year Netflix holds the top spot.
- CBS, despite an overall down year in primetime, leads broadcast networks with eight of the top 25 series, including "Marshals" (third overall with 20.7 million viewers) and "Tracker" (16.4 million viewers).
- Other notable top 10 shows include ABC’s "High Potential" with 16 million viewers, highlighting the significance of streaming audiences alongside traditional broadcast viewership.
- Streaming platforms show strong representation, with Netflix having seven shows in the top 15, ABC with four, and Prime Video, Paramount+, HBO Max, and NBC/Peacock contributing to the top 25 rankings.
- When including NFL telecasts, NBC’s "Sunday Night Football" would rank first with 23.5 million viewers, and ABC/ESPN’s "Monday Night Football" would rank fourth, underscoring the impact of live sports on broadcast ratings.