The Streaming Champions: A Blue Dog Leads the Pack

In a surprising twist, "Bluey," the animated series centered on a playful young dog, emerged as the streaming titan for 2024. The show achieved a staggering 50 billion minutes of total streaming time on Disney+, equivalent to over 95,000 years. Boasting an impressive streak of 112 weeks in Nielsen’s streaming top 10, "Bluey" outperformed even major adult dramas to dominate the conversation around kids’ programming.

Meanwhile, the NFL demonstrated its undeniable hold on the American audience. Averaging substantial viewer engagement, particularly on streaming platforms, the league recorded notable gains even during an election year, traditionally marked by declines in TV viewership. The Super Bowl also set records, with groundbreaking streaming performances for select playoff games.

Broadcasting Blues: Viewership Dips and Cable News Challenges

It wasn’t all sunny skies, however. The CW has hit a concerning low, marking a year without a single show averaging over 1 million viewers outside of sports. This decline illustrates the challenges faced by networks competing in a landscape increasingly dominated by streaming giants.

Additionally, major cable news outlets like CNN and MSNBC saw significant viewership drops following the conclusion of the presidential election. At present, Fox News’ dominance has widened, capturing over 70% of primetime cable news viewers.

On the scripted television front, "Yellowstone" emerged as a rare success story, smashing records upon its return after a hiatus, with 16.4 million viewers tuning in for its premiere across networks. However, beyond "Yellowstone," scripted shows struggled to attract audiences, with few series crossing the 2 million viewer mark.

Rising Stars: Shining New Shows and Women’s Sports Break Barriers

In addition to the iconic classics, several new series made waves. "Tracker," featuring Justin Hartley, scored significant ratings and quickly became the top show on any broadcast network without the influence of sports, while Kathy Bates’ "Matlock" revived interest in legal dramas, becoming one of the most-watched new shows of the fall season.

Crucially, women’s sports broke through this year, exemplified by record ratings for NCAA women’s basketball. A compelling championship game attracted nearly 19 million viewers, eclipsing the men’s final for the first time ever. This unprecedented interest hints at a growing acceptance and enthusiasm for women's sports programming.

ESPN's acquisition of SEC football broadcasting rights also paid off. Averaging around 8 million viewers, "Saturday Night Football" saw an 80% increase in audiences when showcasing SEC matchups, demonstrating the potential of high-stakes college sporting events.

Conclusion: The Evolving Landscape of TV Ratings

As we reflect on 2024, it’s evident that viewership is rapidly evolving. Streaming services are not just a supplement to traditional broadcasting; they are reshaping how audiences engage with content. The extraordinary success of kids’ programming, women’s sports, and event-driven shows highlights that entertainment viewing is no longer strictly about what’s on during primetime, but about meeting the viewers where they live—on their streaming devices.

As industry dynamics continue to shift, the next year promises to be just as uncertain and exciting, leaving everyone to wonder: what’s next for television?