From Drama to Sitcoms: Discover the All-Time Most-Watched TV Shows

According to Guinness World Records, the most-watched TV show of all time is the finale of the American sitcom "Friends," which aired on May 6, 2004, and drew in an estimated 52.5 million viewers in the U.S. alone.

Another popular TV show that is considered one of the most-watched of all time is the 1977 finale of the miniseries "Roots," which is estimated to have been watched by over 100 million viewers worldwide.

The Super Bowl is also a hugely popular television event, with the most-watched Super Bowl being Super Bowl XLIX in 2015, which drew in an estimated 114.4 million viewers in the U.S.

Other notable TV shows that have drawn in large audiences include "Game of Thrones," which reached a peak audience of 19.3 million viewers during its final season in 2019.

"Breaking Bad," which saw its audience grow from 1.2 million viewers in its first season to 10.3 million viewers in its final season in 2013.

"MAS*H," an American television series that aired from 1972 to 1983, is considered one of the most successful TV shows of all time, with its series finale in 1983 drawing in an estimated 125 million viewers.

The 1994 Winter Olympics, which aired on CBS, was the most-watched television event in American history at the time, with an estimated 204 million viewers tuning in.

The 2012 Summer Olympics, which aired on NBC, was the most-watched television event in U.S. history, with an estimated 219.4 million viewers tuning in.

"The Big Bang Theory," an American sitcom that aired from 2007 to 2019, was also a hugely popular TV show, with its series finale in 2019 drawing in an estimated 18 million viewers.

"The Simpsons," an animated television series that has been on the air since 1989, is one of the longest-running TV shows of all time, and has been watched by millions of people worldwide.

Finally, "American Idol," a singing competition that aired on Fox from 2002 to 2016, was also a hugely popular TV show, with its season two finale drawing in an estimated 38 million viewers.

Discover the All-Time Most-Watched TV Shows:

From beloved sitcoms like "Friends" and "MAS*H" to epic miniseries like "Roots," the most-watched TV shows of all time have captivated audiences with their storytelling and characters. The popularity of events like the Super Bowl and the Olympics also demonstrate the power of television to bring people together and create shared experiences. Whether it's comedy, drama, or competition, these TV shows have left a lasting impact on popular culture and continue to be watched and enjoyed by millions around the world.

References:

1. https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2021/1/what-are-the-most-watched-tv-finales-of-all-time-642947

2. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/26/arts/television/the-roots-finale-40-years-later.html

3. https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/super-bowl-2015-ratings-highest-ever-1201425025/

4. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/game-thrones-finale-ratings-record-1212117/

5. https://www.nytimes.com/1983/03/05/arts/tv-m-a-s-h-finale-draws-record-audience.html

6. https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/la-et-st-winter-olympics-nielsen-20141218-story.html

7. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/ncna1068401

8. https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/17/entertainment/big-bang-theory-series

It is important to note that the most-watched TV shows can vary depending on the platform, region, and time of year.

Sources:

1. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/top-tv

2. https://www.insider.com/most-popular-tv-shows-of-2021-so-far-2021-9

3. https://www.tvinsider.com/1007833/most-watched-tv-shows-2021-netflix-disney-plus-hbo-max/