The 10 most streamed shows in the US last year, according to Nielsen

David BenjaminFebruary 3, 2026

It’s fair to say that we’re still a planet of avid telly watchers. While we’re tuning in to our favourite shows in the millions, the way we watch them has definitely changed over the past decade as the boom in streaming services has left scheduled network programming in the dust. And new figures released by Nielsen prove just how popular that viewing format is. (Picture: Getty Images)

The data and analytics giant recently took a deep dive into what the US watched in 2025 across all streaming platforms to reveal the most-streamed shows of the past 12 months – and the staggering viewing numbers behind them. The list might be dominated by US drama, but it’s an Australian production that took top spot for the second year in a row. So, what were the 10 most-streamed shows of the year? Let’s take a look… (Picture: Getty Images)

10. Criminal Minds – 24.1 billion minutes streamed

LOS ANGELES - AUGUST 9: "Taboo" -- The BAU team is called upon to investigate when the bodies of three women are discovered encased in concrete in 55-gallon drums, on CRIMINAL MINDS, Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2016 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT), on the CBS Television Network. Pictured: Joe Mantegna (David Rossi), Matthew Gray Gubler (Dr. Spencer Reid), A.J. Cook (Jennifer "JJ" Jareau), Paget Brewster (Emily Prentiss), Adam Rodriguez (Luke Alvez) (Photo by Darren Michaels/CBS via Getty Images) — Landing in the chart at number 10 is this police procedural drama that has been a popular draw on US screens and beyond since 2005. Criminal Minds follows a group of FBI profilers who work for the bureau’s Behavioural Analysis Unit, delving deep into the psyche of violent offenders to try and stop their crimes. With 18 seasons to get through, it’s a prime candidate for a spot of binge-watching.

Where to watch it: Paramount+/Pluto TV/Amazon Prime Video/Apple TV.

(Picture: Darren Michaels/CBS via Getty Images)

9. Law and Order: SVU – 26.8bn minutes

LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT -- "Nightmares in Drill City" Episode 23008 -- Pictured: Mariska Hargitay as Captain Olivia Benson -- (Photo by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images) — Next up is another long-running US show, one which has existed in one form or another since 1999. Set around the NYPD’s 16th precinct in Manhattan, Law & Order: SVU centres on the detectives of the Special Victims Unit as they investigate and prosecute sex-based crimes. With 585 episodes under its belt – making it the longest-running primetime action series on US TV – and 27 series to delve into, it’s no surprise to see this one racking up the viewing minutes.

Where to watch it: Disney+/Netflix/Amazon Prime Video/Apple TV.

(Picture: Virginia Sherwood/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)

Get personalised updates on all things Netflix

Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro’s TV Newsletter.

Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we’ll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you.

8. The Big Bang Theory – 32.4bn minutes

LOS ANGELES - APRIL 29: "The Stockholm Syndrome" - Pictured: Bernadette (Melissa Rauch), Howard Wolowitz (Simon Helberg), Leonard Hofstadter (Johnny Galecki), Penny (Kaley Cuoco), Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons), Amy Farrah Fowler (Mayim Bialik) and Rajesh Koothrappali (Kunal Nayyar). Bernadette and Wolowitz leave their kids for the first time, Penny and Leonard try to keep a secret, Sheldon and Amy stick together, and Koothrappali makes a new friend as the gang travels together into an uncharted future, on the series finale of THE BIG BANG THEORY, Thursday, May 16 (8:30 - 9:00PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. (Photo by Michael Yarish/CBS via Getty Images) — It might have come to an end in 2019, but the streaming figures speak for themselves. Six years on, we’re all still in love with The Big Bang Theory. In case you’re one of the few remaining people who has never seen it, the show centres around the lives of socially awkward roommates Sheldon (Jim Parsons) and Leonard (Johnny Galecki), their neighbour Penny (Kaley Cuoco), and their similarly geeky friends Raj (Kunal Nayyar) and Howard (Simon Helberg). With that many minutes on the clock it’s showing no sign of slowing down.

Where to watch it: Disney+.

(Picture: Michael Yarish/CBS via Getty Images)

7. Family Guy – 33.4bn minutes

Family Guy (1999) — The first of four animated shows to make it on to this list (although this one’s very much for adults, of course) Family Guy remains as big a draw as ever. The animated adventures of the dysfunctional Griffin family, which come to us courtesy of Seth MacFarlane, first landed on screens in 1999 and has rarely been off them since. It’s been going for 24 seasons in fact, and with 446 half-hour episodes at your disposal, there’s more than enough here to keep you watching for hours.

Where to watch it: Disney+/Hulu.

(Picture: FOX)

6. Bob’s Burgers – 34.1bn minutes

BOB'S BURGERS: Bob agrees to be the temporary chef at the Fischoeders' new nightclub. Meanwhile, the kids get a hold of a stock tank and decide to throw a pool party in the restaurant basement in the "Copa-Bob-bana? episode of BOB?S BURGERS airing Sunday, Oct. 11 (9:00-9:30 PM ET/PT) on FOX. BOB?S BURGERS ? 2020 by Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. — The second animated show on this list is a relative youngster compared to Family Guy. It’s been with us for 16 seasons, compared to that show’s 24, but it still squeaked ahead of it in the overall list. Set in the fictional town of Seymour’s Bay, New Jersey, Bob’s Burgers sees restaurateur Bob Belcher juggling family life with running a restaurant – with fantasy sequences, comedic set-pieces and even musical numbers thrown in for good measure. With the show being renewed for four more series in 2025, this one’s got plenty of time to shoot even further up this list.

Where to watch it: Disney+/Hulu.

(Picture: TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX)

5. SpongeBob SquarePants – 34.3bn minutes

Undated TV still from SpongeBob SquarePants - Season 15. Pictured: Patrick Star (voiced by Bill Fagerbakke), SpongeBob (Tom Kenny) and Squidward (Rodger Bumpass). See PA Feature SHOWBIZ Download Reviews. WARNING: This picture must only be used to accompany PA Feature SHOWBIZ Download Reviews. PA Photo. Picture credit should read: Nickelodeon Animation Studios. All Rights Reserved. NOTE TO EDITORS: This picture must only be used to accompany PA Feature SHOWBIZ Download Reviews. — Into the top five we go with yet more animation, this time courtesy of SpongeBob and his cast of aquatic pals. First broadcast in 1999, this series follows our intrepid title character as he grapples with life in the underwater city of Bikini Bottom, with his adventures proving so popular over the past few decades that he’s spawned 16 series, four theatrical movies, two spin-off Netflix films and a raft of merchandise. Who knew a sea sponge could become such a hit with viewers?

Where to watch it: Paramount+.

(Picture: Nickelodeon)

4. NCIS – 36.9bn minutes

VALENCIA - MARCH 31: "Ladies' Night" A girls' night out takes an unexpected turn when NCIS is called to investigate the motive of a possible arsonist. Also, Torres struggles to find work/life balance, on the CBS Original series NCIS, Monday, March. 31 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on-demand for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers, or on-demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the episode airs)*. Pictured (L-R): Gary Cole as NCIS Special Agent Alden Parker and Katrina Law as NCIS Special Agent Jessica Knight. (Photo by Erik Voake/CBS via Getty Images) — American cop drama really is making its mark on this list – here’s another that folk have been watching in large numbers over the past year. First aired in 2003, NCIS is centred around the Naval Criminal Investigation Service, delving into crimes related to the US Navy and Marine Corps. With 23 series, including spin-offs in Los Angeles and New Orleans among others to get through, this one could keep you busy for some time.

Where to watch it: Disney+/Hulu/Netflix/Paramount+/PlutoTV.

(Picture: Erik Voake/CBS via Getty Images)

3. Stranger Things – 40bn minutes

STRANGER THINGS: SEASON 5. Sadie Sink as Max Mayfield in Stranger Things: Season 5. Cr. COURTESY OF NETFLIX ?? 2025 — Is it really any surprise to see Stranger Things on this list? Considering the impact the Netflix show has had on the cultural landscape, the 80s-set series more than earned its place in this chart. With the long-awaited season five finally debuting in late 2025 – and coming to an emotional end in a feature-length episode on New Year’s Day 2026 – it added even more viewing hours to its overall total, as fans flocked not only to the new series but to play catch-up on the previous four. It might be over but we can’t see its popularity fading any time soon.

Where to watch it: Netflix.

(Picture: Netflix)

2. Grey’s Anatomy – 40.9bn minutes

UNITED STATES - APRIL 27: GREY'S ANATOMY - "Grey's Anatomy" concludes the season with a shocking two-hour telecast, THURSDAY, MAY 14 (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images Television Network. In the second part, "Now or Never" (10:00-11:00 p.m.), George delivers stunning news to Bailey, sending shockwaves throughout the hospital, and Izzie's friends anxiously await her recovery from surgery. Meanwhile Bailey is surprisingly displeased after being accepted into the pediatric fellowship program, and the victim of a near-fatal traffic accident brings the talents of Seattle Grace's doctors together. (Photo by Scott Garfield/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images) — 2025’s runner-up also has the distinction of being the year’s most popular live-action show, as well as the most-watched programme aimed at an adult audience. Grey’s Anatomycentres on the personal and professional lives of surgical interns, residents and attendings at the fictional Seattle Grace Hospital. It’s been with us since 2005, making it the longest-running scripted primetime show currently airing on the ABC network. With a cast that includes or has included the likes of Ellen Pompeo, Sandra Oh, Patrick Dempsey, Chandra Wilson and Katherine Heigl, there’s still plenty of life in this hospital drama.

Where to watch it: Netflix/Hulu.

(Picture: ABC)

1. Bluey – 45.2bn minutes

This image released by Disney+ shows a scene from the television series "Bluey." (Disney+ via AP) — So here we are, the most streamed title in the US in 2025 and it’s a kid’s show that has become something of a global phenomenon. If you have little ones at home you’ll likely be familiar with Bluey – a lively, loveable Blue Heeler puppy much given to heading off on adventures with her younger sister Bingo, while her parents Chilli and Bandit try to keep up. The Australian-produced show made its debut in 2018, becoming an indescribably huge hit, spawning the inevitable merchandise, a stage show and even a feature-length movie due for cinema release in 2027. And it’s not just the kids who can’t stop watching it – which may explain how it made it all the way to the top of this list.

Where to watch it: Disney+.

(Picture: AP)

Most Binge-watched title of 2025: Gunsmoke – 241 episodes per viewer

Cast members of Gunsmoke including (left to right) James Arness as Marshal Matt Dillon, Burt Reynolds as Quint Asper, Ken Curtis as Deputy Festus Haggen, Amanda Blake as Kitty Russell and Milburn Stone as Galen "Doc" Adams. — While other shows competed for their place in the top 10 most-streamed list, Nielsen’s research has also revealed the most binged show of 2025, with the title awarded to a legendary US series which began in 1955 and ran for twenty years. Set in Dodge City, Kansas, in the 1870s during the settlement of the American West, Gunsmoke follows lawman Marshal Matt Dillon (James Arness) as he protects the town from criminals. With 635 episodes in total being made, it was the longest-running US primetime TV series until being surpassed by The Simpsons. And judging by the number of episodes watched per viewer this year, it still has a loyal following.

Where to watch it: Paramount+/Pluto TV.

(Picture: Bettmann Archive)

Most-watched new series: The Pitt – 11.4bn minutes

This image released by HBO Max shows Noah Wyle, left, in a scene from "The Pitt." (Warrick Page/HBO Max via AP) — Finally, from the old to the new, with the title of top new original drama series for 2025 belonging to this Emmy Awards-winner. The Pitt follows the staff working in the emergency department of the fictional Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Centre during a gruelling 15 hour work shift. Each of the 15 episodes per series focuses on one hour of the shift, with the action taking place in real time as the team face staff shortages and underfunding, while trying to save lives. With the second series having premiered in early January and a third series confirmed, we wouldn’t be surprised to see this one popping up in a future year-end chart.

Where to watch it: HBO Max in the US, not yet available in the UK.

(Picture: AP)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply