NFL Dominates 2025 TV Ratings: Top 100 List

The annual ranking of the most-watched television telecasts for 2025 reveals a clear dominance by two major categories: football and the drama series 'Tracker.' According to the data, NFL games claimed a significant portion of the top spots, securing 48 slots within the top 100.

This represents an increase from the previous year, where football occupied 45 of the top positions. The 'Dancing With the Stars' season finale also ranked highly among the year's most viewed programming. Other notable entries included the Super Bowl and the news program '60 Minutes.' The data highlights the continued stronghold of live sports and specific primetime programming on the American television audience.

Live sports continue to be the primary driver of linear television viewership. The data indicates that NFL games occupied 48 of the top 100 spots in the 2025 rankings. This is a notable statistical increase compared to 2024, where football programming claimed 45 positions.

The sheer volume of games appearing on the list underscores the league's massive draw. While specific game rankings beyond the top tier were not fully detailed, the presence of the Super Bowl is expected given its historical performance. The consistent year-over-year growth in slots suggests that football's popularity on broadcast television is not waning.

While football dominated the volume of top-rated broadcasts, the drama series 'Tracker' also played a significant role in the year's viewership. Alongside football, 'Tracker' was cited as a dominant force in the primetime landscape.

Other specific programs highlighted in the top rankings include:

• The Super Bowl
• The news program '60 Minutes'
• The season finale of 'Dancing With the Stars'

These programs represent a mix of sports, news, and entertainment variety, though the overall list is heavily weighted toward NFL programming.

The shift from 45 NFL slots in 2024 to 48 slots in 2025 indicates a slight expansion in football's share of the most-watched telecasts. This year-over-year comparison provides insight into the shifting landscape of broadcast television.

As streaming services continue to fragment the audience, live events remain a central point for mass viewership. The data confirms that major cultural events like the Super Bowl and consistent weekly programming like regular-season games remain the most reliable metrics for audience engagement in the current media environment.