TV's Not Dead Yet 'Squid Game' & Fresh Blood Rule 2024-25!

The King is Dead, Long Live the King! 'Squid Game' and 'Adolescence' Dominate 2024-25 TV Landscape

For years, we've heard whispers of broadcast TV's demise, but reports of its death have been greatly exaggerated. Stalwarts like “NCIS,” “Law & Order: SVU,” and “Grey’s Anatomy” continue to draw loyal audiences. However, the rise of streaming has undeniably reshaped the television landscape. Now, thanks to Nielsen's new multiplatform ratings, we finally have an apples-to-apples comparison of viewership across linear and streaming platforms, offering a clearer picture than ever before.

This year's data reveals a compelling narrative: Network TV is experiencing a resurgence, with new shows like ABC's “High Potential” and CBS' “Matlock” achieving impressive numbers. But streaming giants, particularly Netflix, reign supreme. The season’s most-watched series are led by none other than the global phenomenon "Squid Game" and the surprise-hit limited series "Adolescence."

Key Takeaways from the 2024-25 TV Season:

• Netflix is Still the King: The streaming giant claimed five of the top 10 spots in the rankings, excluding sports programming.
• Broadcast is Bouncing Back: Shows like “High Potential” and “Matlock” demonstrate that traditional networks can still deliver hits, especially when combined with their streaming counterparts.
• Comedy is Making a Comeback: Series like “Nobody Wants This,” “Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage,” and “Ghosts” are proving that audiences are hungry for laughs.
• Reality TV Remains a Powerhouse: Long-running franchises like “Survivor,” “American Idol,” and “The Voice” continue to attract significant viewership.

Diving into the Numbers:

• “Squid Game” Season 2 averaged a staggering 27.1 million viewers across platforms.
• “Adolescence,” the surprise limited series, drew an impressive 19 million viewers.
• “High Potential” started with 8.2 million viewers on ABC and nearly doubled its audience with 7.9 million on Hulu, totaling 16.1 million viewers.
• “Matlock” garnered 10.5 million viewers on CBS, adding another 5.5 million on Paramount+.

Winners and Losers: A Closer Look

Winners:

• Netflix: As mentioned, they dominated the charts.
• Comedy: "Nobody Wants This", "Running Point", "A Man on the Inside", "Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage," and “Ghosts” all had strong showings.
• Ms. Rachel: The YouTube sensation is giving "Bluey" a run for its money with 11.5 million viewers.
• Reality TV Veterans: “Survivor,” “American Idol,” “The Voice,” “Dancing With the Stars,” and “The Amazing Race” continue to thrive.

Losers:

• Basic Cable: Only “Yellowstone” made it into the top 100, partially thanks to its CBS run.
• "FBI: Most Wanted," "FBI: International," and "Equalizer": Despite solid viewership, these CBS dramas were canceled.
• Linear Viewing Among Younger Demos: Younger viewers are increasingly watching broadcast shows on streaming platforms.

The Demo Divide:

The data highlights a significant difference in viewing habits across age groups. While linear TV still contributes to overall viewership, younger demographics are far more likely to stream broadcast content. For instance, "High Potential," the top broadcast show among viewers aged 18-49, draws the majority of its audience (4.2 million) from streaming, compared to just 1 million from linear.

Important Considerations:

This data excludes sports programming, which consistently draws massive audiences. Also, the analysis only covers viewing through early April, leaving out a significant portion of the late-season viewership.

The Future of Television: A Hybrid Approach

The 2024-25 TV season underscores the evolving nature of television. While streaming is undoubtedly a dominant force, traditional broadcast networks are proving resilient. The key to success appears to be a hybrid approach, leveraging both linear and streaming platforms to reach the widest possible audience. The future of television is not about one format replacing the other, but rather about finding new ways to coexist and complement each other. It's an exciting time to be a TV viewer, with more choices and more access than ever before.

Source: https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/most-popular-tv-shows-2024-25-squid-game-adolescence-1236412566/