Full Breakdown
Netflix and CBS Lead Multi-Platform TV Ratings for 2025-26 Season
5/29/2026, 4:45:32 AM
Multi-Platform Ratings Overview
Cross-platform audience measurement for the 2025-26 television season—covering roughly 83 % of the broadcast year and tracking viewership over 35 days—places Netflix’s “Stranger Things” final season as the most-watched series across all platforms. The series averaged 32.9 million viewers in the 35-day window, outpacing the second-ranked “His & Hers” (25.6 million). CBS’s “Marshals” ranks third overall with 20.7 million viewers, making it the top broadcast-originated program in the same period.
Background & Context
The ratings data combine traditional live-television audiences with streaming consumption on services such as Paramount+, Hulu, Disney+, Prime Video, HBO Max and NBC/Peacock. Nielsen’s methodology now emphasizes extended viewing windows—28 to 35 days—rather than overnight ratings, reflecting shifting audience habits that include delayed and binge viewing. This approach allows direct comparison of broadcast and streaming titles within a single cross-platform framework.
Data & Statistics
- “Stranger Things” (Netflix) – 32.9 million viewers (35-day)
- “His & Hers” (Netflix) – 25.6 million viewers
- “Squid Game” (Netflix, 2024-25 season) – 27.14 million viewers
- “Marshals” (CBS/Paramount+) – 20.7 million viewers
- “Tracker” (CBS) – 16.4 million viewers
- “High Potential” (ABC/Hulu) – 16.0 million viewers
- “Landman” (Paramount+) – 19.8 million viewers (35-day)
Eight of the top 25 series originated on CBS; Netflix contributed seven titles, all within the top 15. ABC contributed four titles; Prime Video and Paramount+ each contributed two; HBO Max and NBC/Peacock each contributed one. Excluding live sports, CBS held a slight majority of the top-25 slots; inclusion of NFL broadcasts would elevate NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” to first place with 23.5 million cross-platform viewers.
Official Statements & Responses
- Netflix asserted that it “claimed the No. 1 series for the second consecutive season,” referencing the performance of “Stranger Things.”
- CBS noted that it “had the most shows near the top of the ratings of any broadcast network,” highlighting the network’s strong presence across the cross-platform rankings.
Why It Matters
The results demonstrate that both streaming giants and traditional broadcasters can achieve comparable reach when measured across the full viewing lifecycle. For Netflix, sustained global franchise appeal underscores the platform’s capacity to generate worldwide cultural moments. For CBS, the success of procedural dramas such as “Marshals” and “Tracker” confirms the continued relevance of linear programming and its synergy with delayed streaming on Paramount+. Industry analysts cite these findings as evidence that future success will depend on total ecosystem performance rather than isolated platform metrics.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The presented figures derive from Nielsen data through the week of April 12 and represent approximately 83 % of the season; final-season totals may differ. Additionally, the rankings exclude live-sports broadcasts, which if included would alter the top-three positions. No alternative measurement sources were provided, leaving a gap in verification of the exact full-season viewership numbers.
