The 2025-26 TV season has come to a close, and the final ratings are in. While Netflix's 'Stranger Things' remains the most-watched series, there are some notable changes in the rankings. Paramount+'s 'Dutton Ranch' has made a strong debut, ranking sixth overall with 19.2 million viewers after just 35 days of viewing. This is a significant achievement, considering the show is a spinoff of the popular 'Yellowstone' franchise. The show's success is a testament to the appeal of the 'Yellowstone' universe and the talent of its cast and crew.
Another 'Yellowstone' offshoot, CBS' 'Marshals', is the top broadcast series with 19.3 million viewers over 35 days. However, the show's viewership has slightly decreased since the mid-April numbers, as the back half of the season didn't rate as highly as the first few episodes. This is a common challenge for long-running series, as maintaining viewer interest over multiple seasons can be difficult.
One of the most surprising additions to the list is 'The Boroughs', which drew 12 million viewers over 35 days on Netflix. However, the show was canceled after a single season due to its high production costs, which amounted to about $10 million per episode. This highlights the challenges faced by streaming platforms in balancing content costs with viewer demand.
Among shows that originate on broadcast networks, 'Marshals', 'Tracker', 'High Potential', 'Matlock', and 'Sheriff Country' are the top five for the season. The order remains unchanged from the April chart, but the viewer totals for the four CBS shows have slightly increased. ABC's 'High Potential' wrapped its season in early April, and its viewership remains unchanged.
In conclusion, the 2025-26 TV season has seen some notable changes in the rankings, with 'Dutton Ranch' and 'The Boroughs' making strong debuts. However, the challenges of maintaining viewer interest and balancing content costs remain significant for the industry. As the TV landscape continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how these trends develop in the coming years.
