Netflix’s ‘Squid Game’ Tops Season In Multiplatform Viewing; CBS Leads Broadcast Networks

Squid Game is the most-viewed series this season, with an average 27.1 million viewers per episode, based on the multiplatform results for linear (broadcast) and digital. The results are based on 35-day Nielsen data used to measure viewership beyond the initial live and same-day playback, and it includes delayed viewing through DVRs and VOD services. The date range is Sept. 15, 2024 through March 16, 2025.

Second overall, and also on Netflix, is the British psychological crime drama Adolescence at an average 19.0 million viewers. Amazon Prime Video drama Reacher, based on the Jack Reacher book series, is third (18.1 million), followed by CBS drama Tracker (17.5 million), which tops the broadcast networks. All broadcast data includes streaming results (which for Tracker is Paramount+).

Tops among the freshman broadcast series (and tied for No. 5 overall) is CBS’ Matlock, starring Kathy Bates, and ABC’s High Potential, each with an average 16.1 million.

Overall, Netflix held 10 of the top 20 spots (including top 10 occupants Lyle & Erik Menendez Story, Zero Day and the romantic comedy Nobody Wants This). CBS had six of the top 10 series (including Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, Ghosts, Watson and – in a tie for No. 18 – crime dramas Elsbeth and Watson). Only one other broadcast network series, ABC’s Will Trent, cracked the top 20 (at No. 17 with an average 11.6 million viewers). And just one other streaming service, Paramount+, landed in the top 20 (care of dramas Landman and Yellowstone prequel 1923).

CBS was the most-watched broadcast network, with an average 9.1 million viewers based on this 35-day multiplatform viewing. Next was NBC (7.2 million), followed by ABC (6.9 million) and Fox (4.3 million).

Here is the top 20 ranker: