Netflix’s Iron Grip: Streaming Giant Swamps Top TV Spots, Squid Game S2 Crowned Undisputed King!
Hold onto your remotes! The latest TV viewership numbers are in for the past year (2024-2025), and one streaming giant is rewriting the rules of engagement: Netflix. According to comprehensive multiplatform ratings from data authority Nielsen, Netflix isn’t just competing; it’s commanding the airwaves in the US, leaving a trail of shattered records in its wake.
Spearheading this streaming supremacy is none other than Squid Game Season 2. The much-anticipated return of the South Korean dystopian thriller mesmerized an average of a staggering 27.1 million US viewers within its first 35 days of release (Nielsen’s preferred window for robust measurement). This colossal figure makes it the most-watched non-sports program by a significant margin.
But the Netflix victory lap doesn’t stop there. Snagging the second spot is the surprise British sensation, the limited series Adolescence. This critically acclaimed four-part, one-shot episodic marvel captivated 19 million viewers in the same 35-day period. Its meteoric rise is no fluke, as Adolescence is already on track to become Netflix’s second most-watched English language show ever, boasting 140.2 million total views to date.
While streaming is clearly a dominant force, Nielsen’s report also shines a light on the enduring appeal of traditional broadcast television and other streaming players. CBS’s Tracker impressively secured the third spot with a strong 17.4 million viewers, proving linear TV still packs a punch. Close behind, Amazon’s Prime Video flexed its muscle with Reacher, pulling in a formidable 17.3 million viewers for fourth place.
However, the broader picture undeniably belongs to Netflix. Beyond its stunning 1-2 punch, the streaming behemoth claims a remarkable five of the top 10 spots. Further cementing its reign are titles like Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story (8th), Zero Day (9th), and Nobody Wants This (10th). Astonishingly, the dominance extends even further down the list, with Netflix also snapping up the next five consecutive positions thanks to hits like The Night Agent, American Primeval, Running Point, The Residence, and A Man on the Inside.
And the forecast for Netflix looks even brighter. With blockbuster returns such as Squid Game Season 3, the eagerly awaited Wednesday Season 2, and the monumental final installment of the Duffer Brothers’ phenomenon, Stranger Things Season 5, all on the horizon, Netflix seems poised to tighten its grip on our watchlists well into the rest of 2025 and beyond.
It’s clear: when it comes to capturing eyeballs and dominating the cultural conversation, Netflix is playing in a league of its own.
