List of most watched television broadcasts - wikipedia List of most watched television broadcasts The following content contains the tentative list of the most watched television broadcasts around the world in selected countries, with the corresponding peak viewership ( or ratings share ) records, the corresponding year of such broadcast, and the mentioned media research organizations tallying nationwide viewership records. However, the most watched television broadcast in any of the following nations can also be broadcast simultaneously in other countries and rank among their most watched television broadcasts as well. Contents 1 Global 2 National 2.1 Australia 2.1. 1 Most watched broadcasts of all time ( Total Viewers ) 2.1. 2 Most viewed broadcasts since 2001 ( OzTAM 5 City Metro Average ) 2.2 Brazil 2.3 Canada 2.4 China 2.5 Germany 2.6 Ireland 2.7 Japan 2.8 Mexico 2.9 New Zealand 2.10 Philippines 2.10. 1 AGB Nielsen 2.11 Poland 2.12 Portugal 2.13 South Korea 2.14 Sweden 2.14. 1 Most watched programmes per year 2.14. 2 Most watched sport events per year 2.15 United Kingdom 2.15. 1 Most watched programmes 2.15. 2 Most watched films 2.15. 3 Most watched special events 2.15. 4 Most watched programmes per year 2.16 United States 2.16. 1 Most watched series finales -- Top 15 list 2.16. 2 Most watched series episode of the decade 2.16. 3 Most watched series per year 2.16. 4 Longest dominating series of the decade 3 References 3.1 Sources 3.2 Citations Global On 20 July 1969, an estimated 530 million people watched the live global broadcast of the first ever humans walk on the surface of the moon ( this constituted around 14 % of total population of the world at the time ), despite the fact that the first moonwalk took place in the middle of the night in Europe ( at 02 : 56 in Ireland, Portugal and the United Kingdom and 03 : 56 in France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain ) and it was not broadcast in the Eastern Bloc except Romania and Poland. 1.1 billion people were reported to have watched the 2010 - 11 Sydney New Year 's Eve coverage, constituting approximately 16 % of the world population at that time. As one of the first major New Year 's celebrations globally each year, Sydney 's Midnight Fireworks are often broadcast and widely watched throughout the world during the day of 31 December. U.S. television programming remains one of the most popular forms of entertainment worldwide. This trend was initiated by U.S. - made soap operas and sitcoms such as Dallas, M * A * S * H, The Cosby Show, Seinfeld and Friends, which aired from the early 1980s until the mid-2000s, and then in the late 2000s and 2010s by U.S. medical dramas and police procedurals such as House, CSI and NCIS franchises. All of these are currently syndicated in more than 100 countries, reaching almost 1 billion viewers around the world, and rank among the most watched television series in the world, extending their dominance to a 3 - decade span. In recent decades, the global dominance of U.S. television is rivaled by European television programming and television dramas from Latin America and Asia. The annual Eurovision Song Contest, considered to be one of the world 's longest running and most watched reality television franchises, annually attracts a peak of 600 million viewers. The annual Miss Universe and Miss World pageants, headquartered in the U.S. and U.K., respectively, and aired live to more than 200 countries yearly, is said to have each regularly attracted more than 2 billion viewers and ranks among the all - time most watched regularly scheduled yearend television programs in the world. Prominent personalities in the 1990s and 2000s such as David Hasselhoff and Mexico 's Thalia ( currently based in the U.S. ) starred in primetime series such as the Las Tres Marias trilogy shows ( Maria Mercedes, Marimar and Maria la del Barrio ), Rosalinda and Baywatch, which were broadcast to almost 2 billion viewers in about 180 countries and still remained among the world 's most watched non-U.S. - produced television series. Idols, airing since 2001, has the largest collective global franchise viewership in the world to date, shown in versions in over 150 countries worldwide and watched by an estimated 6.5 billion viewers. Most reality television franchises broadcasts and international sporting events ( which are broadcast live in several countries ) tend to comprise some of the most watched television programs, as tallied by their media research bases. The 2008 Summer Olympics opening ceremony had the largest viewing figures for any sports event, an average audience of 593 million worldwide, and almost 5 billion people saw some part of the 16 - day coverage. The men 's football World Cup gets lower audiences in the hundreds of millions, although other reports often artificially boost these figures, e.g. counting people who saw 1 minute of coverage, or wrongly estimating before the event. Cricket audiences have been a fraction of initial estimates. National Australia Most watched broadcasts of all time ( total viewers ) The Best Of ABBA 1976 is the highest rating show ever on Australian television to date. Newspapers reported that it had out - rated the moon landing of July 1969. It went on to be repeated many times, also to high ratings, and was followed by an edited half hour format. The following is David Dale 's approximate ranking of the most watched television shows of all time in Australia using data from Nielsen Corporation and OzTAM Rank Show Date Network Funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales 1997 ABC, Seven Network, Nine Network, Ten Network Wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales, and Lady Diana Spencer 1981 ABC, Seven Network, Nine Network, Ten Network 2000 Summer Olympics closing ceremony 2000 Seven Network 2000 Summer Olympics opening ceremony 2000 Seven Network 5 Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton 2011 ABC, Seven Network, Nine Network, Ten Network 6 1984 Summer Olympics opening ceremony 1984 Ten Network 7 The World of The Seekers 1968 Ten Network 8 Boxing : Lionel Rose v Alan Rudkin 1964 Seven Network 9 The Sound of Music 1977 Nine Network 10 Roots ( miniseries ) 1977 Ten Network Note : the funeral of Princess Diana, the Wedding of Prince Charles and the Wedding of Prince William were all carried by all 4 major networks and are counted together. Most viewed broadcasts since 2001 ( OzTAM 5 City Metro average ) The following table is a list of the most viewed programmes based on the OzTAM 5 City Metro Average rating system. It does not include regional numbers ( 40 % of the population ) and uses the average viewership, not the peak viewership. Also note these ratings are not comparable with ratings before 2001 due to different methodologies used after this time. Rank Show Number of viewers Ratings Year Network 2011 British Royal Wedding 6.0 Million -- 2011 ABC, Network 7, Network 9, Network Ten, 7Two 2005 Australian Open -- Men 's Singles Final 4.043 Million 29.3 2005 Seven Network MasterChef Australia ( season 2 ) -- finale challenge 4.029 Million 27.1 Network Ten 2003 Rugby World Cup Final 4.016 Million 29.7 2003 Seven Network 5 MasterChef Australia ( season 1 ) -- finale challenge 3.726 Million 25.6 2009 Network Ten 6 2006 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony 3.561 Million 25.5 2006 Nine Network 7 2005 AFL Grand Final ( Sydney Swans v West Coast Eagles ) 3.386 Million 24.5 2005 Network Ten 8 The Block ( season 4 ) : Winner Announced 3.370 Million 21.9 2011 Nine Network 9 Australian Idol : Final Verdict 3.344 Million 24.5 2002 Network Ten 10 The Voice : Grand Final 2012 3.238 Million 21.2 2012 Nine Network Brazil Rank Show Episode Rating Share Date Channel Roque Santeiro Episode 209 96 100 % 000000001986 - 02 - 22 - 0000 22 February 1986 Rede Globo Atletico Nacional X Gremio Copa Libertadores -- Final 86 96 % ( projection ) 000000001995 - 08 - 30 - 0000 30 August 1995 Rede Globo Tieta Episode 105 78 -- 000000001990 - 03 - 31 - 0000 31 March 1990 Rede Globo Canada Further information : List of most watched television broadcasts in Canada The two most watched television broadcasts in Canadian history occurred during the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. For the gold medal game of the men 's hockey tournament at the 2010 Winter Olympics, played between the United States and Canada, confirmed 16.6 million Canadians watched the whole game, roughly one - half of the country 's entire population. A groundbreaking 26.5 million Canadians watched some part of the game, over 80 percent of the country 's 34 - million - person population. According to multiple sources, 13.3 million Canadians watched the games ' opening ceremony, which was the previous record. Many believed the final game of the 1972 Summit Series had up to 18 million viewers, but this was not so ; only 4.3 million people watched it. This statistic does not represent the reality that most school children ( representing the tail end of the baby - boom i.e. a large population ) nationwide watched the game in gymnasiums on only one or two TVs. 10.3 million people watched the ice hockey gold medal final of the 2002 Winter Olympics. China China Central Television 's Spring Festival Gala has regularly attracted between 700 million to one billion viewers annually. The CCTV 's main evening news broadcast Xinwen Lianbo has a daily audience of around 135 million people, and it is also one of the most expensive shows in the world per advertising spots, with its 2013 advertising slots selling for a record of 5.4 billion yuan. Germany Rank Show Episode Number of viewers Share Date Network 2014 FIFA World Cup Germany vs Argentina ( final ) 34,650,000 86.3 % 000000002014 - 07 - 13 - 0000 13 July 2014 Das Erste 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil vs Germany ( semi-final ) 32,570,000 87.8 % 000000002014 - 07 - 08 - 0000 8 July 2014 ZDF 2010 FIFA World Cup Germany vs Spain ( semi-final ) 31,100,000 83.2 % 000000002010 - 07 - 07 - 0000 7 July 2010 Das Erste UEFA Euro 2016 Germany vs France ( semi-final ) 29,820,000 80.6 % 000000002016 - 07 - 07 - 0000 7 July 2016 ZDF 5 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany vs Italy ( semi-final ) 29,660,000 84.1 % 000000002006 - 07 - 04 - 0000 4 July 2006 ZDF 6 UEFA Euro 2008 Germany vs Turkey ( semi-final ) 29,460,000 81.6 % 000000002008 - 06 - 25 - 0000 25 June 2008 ZDF 7 2010 FIFA World Cup Ghana vs. Germany ( group game ) 29,190,000 79.7 % 000000002010 - 06 - 23 - 0000 23 June 2010 Das Erste 8 1990 FIFA World Cup West Germany vs Argentina ( final ) 28,660,000 87.9 % 000000001990 - 07 - 09 - 0000 9 July 1990 Das Erste 9 UEFA Euro 1996 Germany vs Czech Republic ( final ) 28,440,000 76.3 % 000000001996 - 06 - 30 - 0000 30 June 1996 ZDF 10 UEFA Euro 2016 Germany vs Italy ( quarter - final ) 28,320,000 79.8 % 000000002016 - 07 - 02 - 0000 2 July 2016 Das Erste 11 2014 FIFA World Cup Germany vs Algeria ( Round of 16 ) 28,210,000 85.1 % 000000002014 - 06 - 30 - 0000 30 June 2014 ZDF 12 UEFA Euro 2016 Germany vs Slovakia ( Round of 16 ) 28,110,000 81.2 % 000000002014 - 06 - 26 - 0000 26 June 2014 ZDF 13 UEFA Euro 2008 Austria vs Germany ( group game ) 28,040,000 76.9 % 000000002008 - 06 - 16 - 0000 16 June 2008 ZDF 14 UEFA Euro 2012 Germany vs Italy ( semi-final ) 27,980,000 76.8 % 000000002012 - 06 - 28 - 0000 28 June 2012 Das Erste 15 The Black Forest Clinic `` Die Schuldfrage '' ( `` The question of guilt '' ) 27,970,000 000000001985 - 11 - 17 - 0000 17 November 1985 ZDF 16 2010 FIFA World Cup Germany vs Australia ( group game ) 27,910,000 74.4 % 000000002010 - 06 - 13 - 0000 13 June 2010 Das Erste 17 UEFA Euro 2008 Portugal vs Germany ( quarter - final ) 27,700,000 78.7 % 000000002008 - 06 - 19 - 0000 19 June 2008 Das Erste 18 UEFA Euro 2012 Denmark vs Germany ( group game ) 27,650,000 74.2 % 000000002012 - 06 - 13 - 0000 13 June 2012 ZDF 19 UEFA Euro 2016 Germany vs Poland ( group game ) 27,320,000 73.3 % 000000002016 - 06 - 16 - 0000 16 June 2016 ZDF 20 2014 FIFA World Cup USA vs Germany ( group game ) 27,250,000 84.2 % 000000002014 - 06 - 26 - 0000 26 June 2014 ZDF Note : The UEFA Euro 2008 final is missing from the list, because the lengthy trophy presentation was included into the official ratings. The game itself was watched by 28.05 million viewers. Ireland A list of most watched shows in the Republic of Ireland in the 21st century was released in January 2015. The Late Late Toy Show held the top six spots, with the 2014 edition drawing 1,593,000 viewers : over one - third of the country 's population. Other high - performing shows were Who Wants to be a Millionaire ?, crime drama Love / Hate, Mrs. Brown 's Boys, The Sunday Game, UEFA Euro 2012 and the Eurovision Song Contest. Japan The following list is for Japanese anime only. No. Show Household Rating Date Network Chibi Maruko - chan 39.9 % 28 October 1990 Fuji TV Sazae - san 39.4 % 16 September 1979 Fuji TV Dr. Slump 36.9 % 16 December 1981 Fuji TV Dokonjō Gaeru 34.5 % 23 February 1979 NTV 5 Japanese Folklore Tales 2 33.6 % 10 January 1981 TBS 6 Lupin the Third 32.5 % 8 December 1978 NTV 7 Touch 31.9 % 22 December 1985 Fuji TV 8 Ashita no Joe 31.6 % 13 March 1980 NTV 9 Doraemon 31.2 % 11 February 1983 TV Asahi 10 GeGeGe no Kitarō 29.6 % 22 March 1986 Fuji TV Mexico A list of most watched shows in the Mexico, Televisa and TV Azteca broadcasters ( Liga MX Apertura and Clausura ), Boxing, 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, ( FIFA World Cup hosts 1970 & 1986 ), some concerts like Maná 's Unidos por La Paz at Estadio Azteca in March, 2001, Funeral events like Chespirito at December, 2014 the creator of TV Series El Chavo del ocho and El Chapulin Colorado, and Celebration of Mexican political anniversaries in 2010 celebrate independence from Spain also called Bicentenario 2010, had an average audience of over 40 million views in Mexican Television. New Zealand In 2011, the television website Throng published a list of the 12 most watched television broadcasts in New Zealand from 1995 to 2011. This is based on average viewership of the program, but it does not include broadcasts from before 1995 or after 2011. The Rugby World Cup has frequently had large audiences -- the Rugby World Cup 2011 final, and a semi-final, both had an average audience of over 2 million. This television - related list is incomplete ; you can help by expanding it. No. Show Viewship Date Network 01 2011 Rugby World Cup Final ( NZ v France ) 2,036,900 23 October 2011 TV 1, TV 3, Prime, Sky Sports, Maori TV 02 2011 Rugby World Cup Semi-final ( NZ v Australia ) 2,024,000 16 October 2011 TV 1, TV 3, Prime, Sky Sports, Maori TV 03 2011 Rugby World Cup Opening Game ( NZ v Tonga ) 1,930,000 9 September 2011 TV 1, Prime, Sky Sports, Maori TV 04 Boxing : Lennox Lewis vs. David Tua World Title Defence 1,841,230 12 November 2000 TV 3 05 One News special -- Death of Diana, Princess of Wales 1,703,310 31 August 1997 TV 1 06 2000 Summer Olympics opening ceremony 1,654,310 15 September 2000 TV 1 07 One News special -- Funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales 1,649,710 6 September 1997 TV 1 08 2011 Rugby World Cup Qtr Final ( NZ v Argentina ) 1,624,400 9 October 2011 TV 1, TV 3, Prime, Sky Sports, Maori TV 09 2003 Rugby World Cup Final ( England v Australia ) 1,604,800 22 November 2003 TV 1 10 Martin Bashir 's interview with Diana, Princess of Wales 1,516,780 21 November 1995 TV 2 11 2011 Rugby World Cup Opening Ceremony 1,499,160 9 September 2011 TV 1 12 2007 Rugby World Cup ( NZ v France ) 1,410,410 7 October 2007 TV 3 Philippines AGB Nielsen The following table shows the all - time highest rating television shows in Mega Manila as tallied by AGB Nielsen since 1992. However, ratings are from a single highest recorded episode of the show ( in the case of the TV series ) and it is not the average over-all ratings for the whole season or series. Highest rating television programs in Mega Manila since 1992 ( AGB Nielsen tallies ) Rank Network Program Year Rating ABS - CBN Manny Pacquiao vs. Erik Morales 2006 83.5 % ABS - CBN Rosalinda 2000 69.8 % ABS - CBN Esperanza 1997 67.0 % ABS - CBN Pangako Sa ' Yo 2002 64.9 % 5 ABS - CBN Meteor Garden 2003 63.8 % 6 ABS - CBN Miss Universe 1994 1994 62.5 % 7 RPN Marimar 61.7 % 8 ABS - CBN María Mercedes 59.7 % 9 RPN Miss Universe 1999 1999 58.4 % 10 GMA Bubble Gang 1997 57.6 % 11 ABS - CBN Maalaala Mo Kaya 1992 57.3 % 12 ABS - CBN Balitang K 1998 56.6 % 13 ABS - CBN Wansapanataym 1997 56.4 % 14 ABS - CBN TV Patrol 56.0 % 15 GMA i - Witness 1999 55.3 % 16 ABS - CBN Magandang Gabi, Bayan 2000 55.0 % 17 ABS - CBN Manny Pacquiao vs. Oscar Larios 2006 54.4 % 18 GMA Darna 2005 54.3 % 19 ABS - CBN Mula Sa Puso 1997 53.7 % 20 RPN Manny Pacquiao vs. Marco Antonio Barrera 2003 52.9 % 21 ABC 2005 Southeast Asian Games 2005 52.6 % 21 GMA MariMar 2007 52.6 % 22 ABS - CBN Basta 't Kasama Kita 2003 52.5 % 23 ABS - CBN Star Circle Teen Quest 52.3 % 24 ABS - CBN Flames 51.9 % 25 GMA Encantadia 2005 51.7 % 26 ABS - CBN Marina 50.8 % 26 GMA Eat Bulaga ! 2015 50.8 % 27 ABS - CBN Pinoy Big Brother 2005 50.4 % 27 GMA Manny Pacquiao vs. Miguel Cotto 2009 50.4 % 28 GMA Ricky Hatton vs. Manny Pacquiao 2009 49.8 % 29 GMA Manny Pacquiao vs. Marco Antonio Barrera 2 2007 49.5 % 29 ABS - CBN Manny Pacquiao vs. Erik Morales 3 2006 49.5 % 30 ABS - CBN Sana'y Wala Nang Wakas 2003 49.3 % Poland List of the 10 most watched television broadcasts since the beginning of telemetry research in Poland ( since 1997 ) by Nielsen Media Research : Rank Program Date Channel Number of vievers Share Funeral of Pope John Paul II 000000002005 - 04 - 08 - 0000 8 April 2005 TVP1, TVP2, TVP3, Polsat, TVN, TVN24 and others Over 21,400,000 Almost 90 % UEFA Euro 2016 : Poland vs Portugal ( quarter - final ) 000000002016 - 06 - 30 - 0000 30 June 2016 TVP1, Polsat, Polsat Sport 15,974,822 86.57 % UEFA Euro 2012 : Poland vs Russia ( group stage ) 000000002012 - 06 - 12 - 0000 12 June 2012 TVP1, TVP Sport, TVP HD 14,683,216 81.51 % UEFA Euro 2016 : Germany vs Poland ( group stage ) 000000002016 - 06 - 16 - 0000 16 June 2016 TVP1, Polsat, Polsat Sport 14,352,012 80.89 % 5 UEFA Euro 2012 : Czech Republic vs Poland ( group stage ) 000000002012 - 06 - 16 - 0000 16 June 2012 TVP1, TVP Sport, TVP HD 14,070,492 81.28 % 6 UEFA Euro 2012 : Poland vs Greece ( group stage ) 000000002012 - 06 - 08 - 0000 8 June 2012 TVP1, TVP Sport, TVP HD 13,308,343 83.78 % 7 2002 Winter Olympics : Ski Jumping Men 's K120 Individual ( Adam Małysz won the silver medal ) 000000002002 - 02 - 13 - 0000 13 February 2002 TVP1 13,259,612 75.15 % 8 Funeral of Polish President Lech Kaczynski and his wife Maria 000000002010 - 04 - 18 - 0000 18 April 2010 TVP1, TVP2, TVP Info, Polsat, Polsat News, TVN, TVN 24 and others 13,033,967 86.68 % 9 UEFA Euro 2016 : Ukraine vs Poland ( group stage ) 000000002016 - 06 - 21 - 0000 21 June 2016 TVP1, Polsat, Polsat Sport 12,639,308 81.67 % 10 M jak miłość ( episode 302 ) 000000002005 - 03 - 01 - 0000 1 March 2005 TVP2 12,581,000 n / d Portugal Rank Show Episode Rating Share Date Channel UEFA Euro 2004 Portugal vs The Netherlands ( semi-final ) 40.9 87.2 % 000000002004 - 06 - 30 - 0000 30 June 2004 RTP1 UEFA Euro 2012 Portugal vs Spain ( semi-final ) 39.5 76.0 % 000000002012 - 06 - 27 - 0000 27 June 2012 SIC UEFA Euro 2004 Portugal vs England ( quarter - final ) 39.0 85.1 % 000000002004 - 06 - 24 - 0000 24 June 2004 RTP1 UEFA Euro 2016 Portugal vs Wales ( semi-final ) 38.4 75.4 % 000000002016 - 07 - 06 - 0000 6 July 2016 RTP1 UEFA Euro 2016 Portugal vs France ( final ) 38.2 78.1 % 000000002016 - 07 - 10 - 0000 10 July 2016 RTP1 5 UEFA Euro 2012 Portugal vs The Netherlands ( group stage match ) 38.1 73.4 % 000000002012 - 06 - 17 - 0000 17 June 2012 TVI 6 UEFA Euro 2016 Portugal vs France ( final ) 38 78.2 % 000000002016 - 07 - 10 - 0000 10 July 2016 RTP1 6 2014 FIFA World Cup United States vs Portugal ( group stage match ) 37.8 75.4 % 000000002014 - 06 - 22 - 0000 22 June 2014 RTP1 6 UEFA Euro 2004 Portugal vs Greece ( final ) 37.7 89.7 % 000000002004 - 07 - 04 - 0000 4 July 2004 RTP1 7 UEFA Euro 2016 Poland vs Portugal ( quarter - final ) 37.4 69.9 % 000000002016 - 06 - 30 - 0000 30 June 2016 RTP1 7 2006 FIFA World Cup Portugal vs France ( semi-final ) 37.2 82.3 % 000000002006 - 07 - 05 - 0000 5 July 2006 SIC 8 A Próxima Vítima The Last Episode 37.1 80.2 % 000000001996 - 01 - 19 - 0000 19 January 1996 SIC 9 UEFA Euro 2012 Czech Republic vs Portugal ( quarter - final ) 36.1 71.7 % 000000002012 - 06 - 21 - 0000 21 June 2012 RTP1 10 UEFA Euro 2004 Russia vs Portugal ( group stage match ) 35.5 81.4 % 000000002004 - 06 - 16 - 0000 16 June 2004 SIC 11 UEFA Euro 2016 Portugal vs Iceland ( group stage match ) 35.1 68.6 % 000000002016 - 06 - 14 - 0000 14 June 2016 RTP1 11 UEFA Euro 2004 Spain vs Portugal ( group stage match ) 34.9 83.2 % 000000002004 - 06 - 20 - 0000 20 June 2004 TVI 12 2006 FIFA World Cup Portugal vs The Netherlands ( round of 16 ) 34.9 80.7 % 000000002006 - 06 - 25 - 0000 25 June 2006 SIC 13 UEFA Euro 2008 Portugal vs Germany ( quarter - finals ) 34.5 75.6 % 000000002008 - 06 - 19 - 0000 19 June 2008 TVI 14 2015 Portuguese legislative election Debate : António Costa vs. Pedro Passos Coelho 34.1 66 % 000000002015 - 09 - 10 - 0000 10 September 2015 RTP1, SIC, TVI 15 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification Sweden vs Portugal ( second leg playoff match ) 34.1 62.2 % 000000002013 - 11 - 19 - 0000 19 November 2013 RTP1 15 UEFA Europa League SL Benfica vs Chelsea FC ( final ) 33.8 62.3 % 000000002013 - 05 - 16 - 0000 16 May 2013 SIC 16 UEFA Euro 2000 France vs. Portugal ( Semi-finals ) 33.2 76.7 % 000000002000 - 06 - 28 - 0000 28 June 2000 RTP1 17 2006 FIFA World Cup Angola vs Portugal ( group stage match ) 32.8 80.9 % 000000002006 - 06 - 11 - 0000 11 June 2006 SIC 18 UEFA Euro 2012 Germany vs Portugal ( group stage match ) 32.4 68.3 % 000000002012 - 06 - 09 - 0000 9 June 2012 RTP1 19 O Rei do Gado Brazilian telenovela 32.2 000000001997 - 01 - 01 - 0000 January 1997 SIC 20 UEFA Champions League Monaco vs Porto ( final ) 31.7 70.5 % 000000002004 - 05 - 26 - 0000 26 May 2004 RTP1 21 UEFA Euro 2016 Croatia vs Portugal ( Round of 16 ) 31.3 70 % 000000002016 - 06 - 26 - 0000 26 June 2016 RTP1 22 UEFA Europa League Sevilla FC vs SL Benfica ( final ) 31.1 61.4 % 000000002014 - 05 - 14 - 0000 14 May 2014 SIC 22 UEFA Champions League Real Madrid vs Atlético Madrid ( final ) 30.8 64.3 % 000000002014 - 05 - 24 - 0000 24 May 2014 TVI 22 Terra Nostra Brazilian telenovela 30.8 64 % 000000002000 - 01 - 11 - 0000 11 January 2000 SIC 22 2006 FIFA World Cup Portugal vs Iran 30.4 83.1 % 000000002006 - 06 - 17 - 0000 17 June 2006 SIC 23 UEFA Europa League Juventus FC vs SL Benfica ( semi-final ) 30.4 58.9 % 000000002014 - 05 - 01 - 0000 1 May 2014 SIC 24 Big Brother Portugal Live eviction show 30.2 72.5 % 000000002000 - 12 - 26 - 0000 26 December 2000 TVI 25 UEFA Cup Sporting CP vs CSKA Moscow ( Final ) 30.1 68.4 % 000000002005 - 05 - 18 - 0000 18 May 2005 RTP1 26 Taça de Portugal SL Benfica vs Sporting CP ( Sixth round ) 29.9 62.6 % 000000002005 - 01 - 26 - 0000 26 January 2005 RTP1 27 Torre de Babel Brazilian telenovela 29.8 77.1 % 000000001999 - 04 - 02 - 0000 2 April 1999 SIC 28 UEFA Euro 2008 Switzerland vs Portugal 29.8 71.8 % 000000002008 - 06 - 15 - 0000 15 June 2008 TVI 29 UEFA Cup Celtic FC vs FC Porto 29.7 67.5 % 000000002003 - 05 - 21 - 0000 21 May 2003 SIC 30 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany vs Portugal ( Third place play - off ) 29.6 78.4 % 000000002006 - 07 - 08 - 0000 8 July 2006 SIC 31 2006 FIFA World Cup England vs Portugal ( quarter - finals ) 29.2 88.1 % 000000002006 - 07 - 01 - 0000 1 July 2006 SIC 32 UEFA Champions League Barcelona vs Benfica ( quarter - finals ) 29.3 65.6 % 000000002006 - 04 - 05 - 0000 5 April 2006 RTP1 33 2010 FIFA World Cup Spain vs Portugal ( Round of 16 ) 29.1 75.9 % 000000002010 - 06 - 29 - 0000 29 June 2010 RTP1 34 Juntos Por Todos Benefit concert 28.8 67.8 % 000000002017 - 06 - 27 - 0000 27 June 2017 RTP1, SIC, TVI 35 Médico de Família Portuguese TV series 27.9 61.4 % 000000001999 - 03 - 16 - 0000 16 March 1999 SIC South Korea Viewership ratings are provided by two companies in South Korea, AGB Nielsen Media Research and TNmS. Originally Media Service Korea was the only company providing such information, and it was later acquired by Nielsen Media Research. In 1999 TNS Media Korea also began such service, and later changed its name to TNmS. AGB collects viewership data based on 2050 households, while TNmS has 2000 households with measuring devices. Drama ratings usually vary between the two companies by 2 -- 3 %. Most watched South Korean dramas since 1992 ( AGB Nielsen tallies ) # Drama Channel Viewership Date 1. First Love KBS2 65.8 % 20 April 1997 2. What is Love MBC 64.9 % 24 May 1992 3. Sandglass SBS 64.5 % 6 February 1995 4. Hur Jun MBC 63.7 % 27 June 2000 5. Sunny Place of Youth KBS2 62.7 % 12 November 1995 6. You and I MBC 62.4 % 12 April 1998 7. The Son and the Daughter MBC 61.1 % 21 March 1993 8. Taejo Wang Geon KBS1 60.2 % 20 May 2001 9. Eyes of Dawn MBC 58.4 % 6 February 1992 10. Dae Jang Geum MBC 57.8 % 23 March 2004 11. Lovers in Paris SBS 57.6 % 15 August 2004 12. See and See Again MBC 57.3 % 12 October 1998 13. Truth MBC 56.5 % 24 February 2000 14. Jealousy MBC 56.1 % 21 July 1992 15. Even When the Wind Blows KBS1 55.8 % 26 February 1996 16. Bathhouse Men KBS2 53.4 % 25 August 1996 17. Gook Hee ( tie ) MBC 53.1 % 16 November 1999 17. Trap of Youth ( tie ) SBS 53.1 % 15 April 1999 19. Tomato SBS 52.7 % 3 June 1999 20. MBC 52.2 % 30 August 1994 21. Season of the Storm MBC 52.1 % 22 December 1993 22. Jumong MBC 51.9 % 6 March 2007 23. Rustic Period SBS 51.8 % 9 December 2002 24. My Mother 's Sea MBC 51.6 % 26 December 1993 25. Baker King Kim Tak Gu KBS2 50.8 % 16 September 2010 26. My Name is Kim Sam Soon MBC 50.5 % 21 July 2005 27. The Legend of Ambition KBS2 50.2 % 25 October 1998 28. Ladies of the Palace SBS 49.9 % 13 November 2001 29. My Son 's Woman MBC 49.7 % 22 February 1994 29. Unexpected You KBS2 49.7 % 9 September 2012 31. Tears of the Dragon KBS1 49.6 % 30 May 1998 32. Star in My Heart MBC 49.3 % 29 April 1997 33. Famous Princesses KBS2 49.2 % 31 December 2006 34. Ambition MBC 49.0 % 23 February 1994 35. The Moon of Seoul MBC 48.7 % 27 March 1994 35. The Tie that Binds KBS1 48.7 % 11 December 1997 37. Last Match MBC 48.6 % 22 February 1994 38. My Too Perfect Sons KBS2 48.6 % 11 October 2009 39. All About Eve MBC 48.3 % 6 July 2000 40. How About Your Husband ? SBS 48.2 % 25 May 1993 41. Cinderella MBC 48.0 % 13 July 1997 42. Miss Mermaid MBC 47.9 % 5 February 2003 43. All In SBS 47.7 % 3 April 2003 44. Until We Love ( tie ) KBS1 47.1 % 27 February 1997 44. Brilliant Legacy SBS 47.1 % 26 July 2009 46. My Rosy Life KBS2 47.0 % 12 October 2005 46. Moon Embracing the Sun MBC 47.0 % 1 March 2012 48. Pilot MBC 46.2 % 2 November 1993 49. Autumn in My Heart KBS2 46.1 % October 2000 50. Family Wealthy of Daughters KBS2 45.9 % 22 January 1995 Sweden Statistics from Mediamätning Skandinavien. Most watched programmes per year Year Programme Date Number of viewers ( millions ) Network 2000 Melodifestivalen 2000 10 March 4.175 SVT2 2001 Melodifestivalen 2001 23 February 3.84 SVT1 2002 Melodifestivalen 2002 1 March 3.72 SVT1 2003 Melodifestivalen 2003 15 March 3.815 SVT1 Melodifestivalen 2004 20 March 4.105 SVT1 2005 Melodifestivalen 2005 12 March 4.055 SVT1 2006 Melodifestivalen 2006 18 March 4.240 SVT1 2007 Melodifestivalen 2007 10 March 3.975 SVT1 2008 Melodifestivalen 2008 15 March 4.045 SVT1 2009 Melodifestivalen 2009 14 March 3.59 SVT1 Melodifestivalen 2010 13 March 3.87 SVT1 2011 Melodifestivalen 2011 12 March 3.67 SVT1 2012 Melodifestivalen 2012 10 March 4.11 SVT1 2013 Melodifestivalen 2013 9 March 4.15 SVT1 2014 Kalle Anka och hans vänner 24 December 3.705 SVT1 2015 Melodifestivalen 2015 14 March 3.771 SVT1 Most watched sport events per year Year Programme Date Number of viewers ( millions ) Network 2000 UEFA Euro 2000 Final ( FRA -- ITA ) 2 July 2.34 SVT2 2001 2001 World Men 's Handball Championship Final ( FRA -- SWE ) 4 February 2.635 TV4 2002 2002 European Men 's Handball Championship Final ( SWE -- GER ) 3 February 3.06 TV4 2003 2003 FIFA Women 's World Cup Final ( GER -- SWE ) 12 October 3.525 TV4 UEFA Euro 2004 ( SWE -- DEN ) 22 June 3.796 TV4 2005 2005 World Championships in Athletics 7 August 4.055 TV4 2006 2006 Men 's Olympic Ice Hockey Final ( SWE -- FIN ) 26 February 3.52 SVT2 2007 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships 2007 -- Women 's slalom 16 February 2.23 SVT1 2008 UEFA Euro 2008 ( GRE -- SWE ) 10 June 3.03 TV4 2009 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification -- UEFA Group 1 ( DEN -- SWE ) 10 October 1.805 Kanal 5 2010 FIFA World Cup Final ( NED -- ESP ) 11 July 2.66 SVT1 2011 2011 IIHF World Championship Final ( SWE -- FIN ) 15 May 2.035 TV3 2012 UEFA Euro 2012 ( UKR -- SWE ) 11 June 2.94 SVT1 2013 2013 IIHF World Championship Final ( SWE -- SUI ) 19 May 2.915 TV4 2014 2014 FIFA World Cup ( GER -- ARG ) 13 July 2.810 TV4 2015 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2015 1 May 2.272 SVT1 United Kingdom Most watched programmes The following is a list of most watched programmes, excluding sporting events and news coverage. The mid-1980s introduction of in - week repeat showings accounts for six of the top ten programmes. On this measure, the 1996 Christmas edition of Only Fools and Horses is the most watched non-repeated, non-documentary programme of all time in the UK. It is the third most watched programme of all time on a single channel, after the 2012 Summer Olympics closing ceremony and the wedding of Princess Anne and Mark Phillips in 1973 ( see below ). Post-1981 figures verified by the Broadcasters ' Audience Research Board ( BARB ) Pre-1981 figures supplied by the British Film Institute Rank Show Episode Number of viewers ( millions ) Date Network EastEnders Den serves Angie with divorce papers. 30.15 000000001986 - 12 - 25 - 0000 25 December 1986 * BBC One EastEnders Michelle Fowler reveals she is pregnant. 28.00 000000001986 - 01 - 01 - 0000 1 January 1986 * BBC One Coronation Street Hilda Ogden leaves 26.65 000000001987 - 12 - 25 - 0000 25 December 1987 * ITV ( Granada ) Only Fools and Horses `` Time on Our Hands '' 24.35 000000001996 - 12 - 29 - 0000 29 December 1996 BBC One 5 EastEnders 24.30 000000001992 - 01 - 02 - 0000 2 January 1992 * BBC One 6 Royal Variety Performance 1965 Dame Shirley Bassey, Peter Cook & Dudley Moore 24.20 000000001965 - 11 - 14 - 0000 14 November 1965 ITV ( ATV ) 7 EastEnders 24.15 000000001988 - 01 - 07 - 0000 7 January 1988 * BBC One 8 To the Manor Born Series 1 Finale 23.95 000000001979 - 11 - 11 - 0000 11 November 1979 BBC One 9 Miss World 1967 Peru wins. 23.76 000000001967 - 11 - 19 - 0000 19 November 1967 BBC One 10 EastEnders 23.55 000000001985 - 12 - 26 - 0000 26 December 1985 * BBC One 11 Panorama Diana, Princess of Wales 22.78 000000001995 - 11 - 20 - 0000 20 November 1995 BBC One 12 Royal Variety Performance 1975 Bruce Forsyth, Dad 's Army & Vera Lynn 22.66 000000001975 - 11 - 16 - 0000 16 November 1975 ITV ( ATV ) 13 This Is Your Life Lord Mountbatten 22.22 000000001977 - 04 - 27 - 0000 27 April 1977 ITV ( Thames ) 14 Sunday Night at the London Palladium 21.89 000000001967 - 12 - 03 - 0000 3 December 1967 ITV ( ATV ) 15 The Benny Hill Show 21.67 000000001971 - 03 - 24 - 0000 24 March 1971 ITV ( Thames ) = 16 Dallas `` Who Done It '' -- J.R. Ewing 's shooter is revealed 21.60 000000001980 - 11 - 22 - 0000 22 November 1980 BBC One = 16 Coronation Street Ken and Deirdre divorce 21.60 000000001992 - 01 - 08 - 0000 8 January 1992 ITV ( Granada ) 18 Eurovision Song Contest 1973 Anne - Marie David wins for Luxembourg. 21.56 000000001973 - 04 - 07 - 0000 7 April 1973 BBC One 19 Steptoe and Son 21.54 000000001964 - 02 - 18 - 0000 18 February 1964 BBC TV = 20 The Mike Yarwood Show Mike Yarwood Christmas Show 21.40 000000001977 - 12 - 25 - 0000 25 December 1977 BBC One = 20 Coronation Street Bet Lynch becomes landlady of the Rovers Return Inn. 21.40 000000001985 - 01 - 02 - 0000 2 January 1985 ITV ( Granada ) 22 Coronation Street Rita Tanner 's first appearance. 21.36 000000001964 - 12 - 02 - 0000 2 December 1964 ITV ( Granada ) 23 Only Fools and Horses `` If They Could See Us Now '' 21.35 000000002001 - 12 - 25 - 0000 25 December 2001 BBC One * denotes aggregated figure with repeat showing. Most watched films These are the most watched films by total number of viewers ( dates are when the films were broadcast, not necessarily when they were produced ). Rank Title Number of viewers ( millions ) Date Network Live and Let Die 23.50 000000001980 - 01 - 20 - 0000 20 January 1980 ITV Jaws 23.25 000000001981 - 10 - 08 - 0000 8 October 1981 ITV The Spy Who Loved Me 22.90 000000001982 - 03 - 28 - 0000 28 March 1982 ITV Diamonds Are Forever 22.15 000000001981 - 03 - 15 - 0000 15 March 1981 ITV 5 Crocodile Dundee 21.75 000000001989 - 12 - 25 - 0000 25 December 1989 BBC1 Most watched special events The majority of special events attracting large audiences are often carried on more than one channel. The most watched programme of all time on a single channel is the 1973 wedding ceremony of The Princess Anne, shown only on BBC1. Rank Event Number of viewers ( millions ) Date Network 1966 FIFA World Cup Final 32.30 000000001966 - 07 - 30 - 0000 30 July 1966 BBC One / ITV Funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales 32.10 000000001997 - 09 - 06 - 0000 6 September 1997 BBC One / ITV Royal Family ( documentary ) 30.69 000000001969 - 06 - 21 - 0000 21 June 1969 and 000000001969 - 06 - 28 - 0000 28 June 1969 BBC One / ITV Apollo 13 splashdown 28.60 000000001970 - 04 - 17 - 0000 17 April 1970 BBC One / ITV 5 1970 FA Cup Final replay 28.49 000000001970 - 04 - 29 - 0000 29 April 1970 BBC One / ITV 6 Wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales, and Lady Diana Spencer 28.40 000000001981 - 07 - 29 - 0000 29 July 1981 BBC One / ITV 7 Wedding of Princess Anne and Mark Phillips 27.60 000000001973 - 11 - 14 - 0000 14 November 1973 BBC One 8 2012 Summer Olympics closing ceremony 24.46 000000002012 - 08 - 12 - 0000 12 August 2012 BBC One 9 2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony 24.24 000000002012 - 07 - 27 - 0000 27 July 2012 BBC One 10 JFK Assassination -- News Broadcast 24.15 000000001963 - 11 - 22 - 0000 22 November 1963 BBC TV / ITV Note : The Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton ( 29 April 2011 ) received a total audience peak of 26 million viewers, but this is a combined figure aggregated from the ten different channels that broadcast the ceremony. The highest figures of these were 13.59 million on BBC1, with an extra 4.02 million watching on ITV. Most watched programmes per year Year Programme Date Number of viewers ( millions ) Network 1981 Film : Jaws 8 October 1981 23.30 ITV 1982 Film : The Spy Who Loved Me 28 March 1982 22.90 ITV Coronation Street 23 February 1983 18.45 ITV 1984 Royal Variety Performance 1984 25 November 1984 20.55 BBC One 1985 EastEnders 26 December 1985 23.55 BBC One 1986 EastEnders 25 December 1986 30.15 BBC One EastEnders 1 January 1987 28.00 BBC One EastEnders 7 January 1988 24.15 BBC One Film : `` Crocodile '' Dundee 25 December 1989 21.77 BBC One 1990 Neighbours ( Episode 837 ) 26 February 1990 21.16 BBC One 1991 Coronation Street 25 November 1991 20.45 ITV 1992 Coronation Street 22 January 1992 20.45 ITV Coronation Street 22 March 1993 20.73 ITV 1994 Torvill and Dean -- Olympic Ice Dance Championship 21 February 1994 23.95 BBC One 1995 Panorama Special : Princess Diana 20 November 1995 22.78 BBC One Only Fools and Horses 29 December 1996 24.35 BBC One 1997 Funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales 6 September 1997 19.29 BBC One 1998 1998 FIFA World Cup : England v Argentina 30 June 1998 23.78 ITV 1999 Coronation Street 7 March 1999 19.82 ITV 2000 Coronation Street 3 January 2000 18.96 ITV 2001 Only Fools and Horses 25 December 2001 21.35 BBC One 2002 Only Fools and Horses 25 December 2002 17.40 BBC One 2003 Coronation Street 24 February 2003 19.43 ITV UEFA Euro 2004 : England v Portugal 24 June 2004 20.66 BBC One 2005 Coronation Street 21 February 2005 14.36 ITV 2006 2006 FIFA World Cup : England v Sweden 20 June 2006 18.46 ITV 2007 EastEnders 25 December 2007 14.38 BBC One 2008 Wallace and Gromit : A Matter of Loaf and Death 25 December 2008 16.15 BBC One 2009 Britain 's Got Talent Final Result 30 May 2009 18.29 ITV The X Factor Results 12 December 2010 16.55 ITV 2011 The Royal Wedding 29 April 2011 13.59 BBC One 2012 2012 Summer Olympics closing ceremony 12 August 2012 24.46 BBC One 2013 New Year 's Eve Fireworks 31 December 2013 13.53 BBC One 2014 2014 FIFA World Cup Final : Germany v Argentina 13 July 2014 14.96 BBC One 2015 The Great British Bake Off 7 October 2015 15.05 BBC One 2016 The Great British Bake Off 26 October 2016 15.90 BBC One 2017 One Love Manchester 4 June 2017 11.63 BBC One Notes ^ 1 -- The Royal Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton ( 29 April 2011 ) `` attracted a consolidated average audience of 26.0 ( million ) viewers across the ceremony from 11 : 00 am to 12 : 10 pm. This is an aggregated audience across 10 BARB reported channels that followed the events live. '' The highest figures for individual channels of these were 13.59 million on BBC One, followed by 4.02 million watching on ITV. ^ 2 -- The 2014 FIFA World Cup Final was broadcast by both BBC One and ITV. The highest figures were 14.96 million on BBC One, followed by 2.34 million on ITV. United States Further information : List of most watched television broadcasts in the United States NBC 's live telecast of Super Bowl XLIX currently stands as the country 's most watched single television broadcast, with 114.4 million viewers. During this broadcast, the halftime show featuring Katy Perry was watched by 118.5 million viewers. The broadcast also reached a current all - time high of 168 - million viewership mark in several portions of the conclusion of 1 February 2015 Super Bowl telecast. The previous live telecast of Super Bowl XLV in February 2011 helped Fox become the first ever television network in the United States to be watched by at least 100 million American viewers by average for a single primetime night of programming. Moreover, Super Bowl telecasts account for 23 of the most watched television broadcasts based on overall viewership in U.S. television history. Additionally, the National Football League ( or NFL ) regular season is watched since 2012 by at least 200 million individuals in the United States, accounting for the largest consistent annual nationwide viewership for any television event in U.S. television history ( representing almost 70 % of the American households, more than 80 % of the total U.S. television viewers, and more than 60 % of the maintained 2010s U.S. population of 320 million ). Most watched series finales -- Top 15 list This table lists the 15 most watched U.S. television series finales in history, effective as of the current season. However, all the Nielsen ratings for U.S. television series finales broadcast starting 2003 were adjusted from the 2007 -- 2008 season to incorporate both the standard live primetime and time - shifted or delayed DVR viewership figures ( based on the telecast 's final 5 - minute standard run ) in the United States only ( from the dates of their original series finale runs ). The finale is not necessarily a show 's most watched episode, the most prominent of examples being CBS ' Dallas, viewed by about 90 million American viewers after the network 's 21 November 1980 primetime telecast of the resolution episode of the internationally known ' Who Shot J.R. ' cliffhanger ( the second highest rated single television broadcast in U.S. history, watched by 53.3 % of American households and more than 76 % of the total U.S. television viewers for that year ), almost thrice as many viewers as there were for the 1991 series finale ( 33.3 million viewers ). The highest - rated single television broadcast in U.S. history is the 150 - minute - long final episode of M * A * S * H * ( which remains the sole regular U.S. primetime television series to be watched by at least 100 million viewers in the United States alone for an episode ), transmitted on primetime by CBS on 28 February 1983, viewed at a peak conclusion by 125 million American viewers ( or 60.2 % of American households and at least 77 % of the total U.S. television viewers ). When TV miniseries are taken into the Nielsen tallies, ABC 's Roots posted the second most watched series finale in U.S. history, watched on 30 January 1977, by 100 million viewers ( 51.1 % of American households and more than 71 % of the total U.S. television viewers that year ), but attracted the largest viewership for any type of primetime television series in U.S. history -- a record currently standing at between 130 million and 140 million American viewers for its 8 - part installment in January 1977 ( peaking up to 80 % of the total U.S. television viewers in 1977 ). CBS ' Everybody Loves Raymond bumped the syndicated series Star Trek : The Next Generation out of the Top 15 Nielsen tally of the all - time most watched U.S. TV series finales in May 2005, but the latter remains the most watched of all syndicated programs in U.S. history. NBC aired 2 of the top 5 all - time most watched overall U.S. television series finales to date ( both of sitcom genre, behind the 1983 M.A.S.H. and 1977 Roots respective final episodes, and also sandwiching the peak rating record of the August 1967, final broadcast of ABC 's The Fugitive ) -- the 21 May 1993 broadcast of the series finale of Cheers ( the most watched overall U.S. television series finale in the cable television era, attracting a peak of almost 93.5 million American viewers ), and the primetime telecast of the final episode of Seinfeld on 14 May 1998. Rank Title Episode Number of viewers ( in millions ) Household share Audience share Date Network M * A * S * H `` Goodbye, Farewell and Amen '' 125.0 60.2 % 77 % 000000001983 - 02 - 28 - 0000 28 Feb 1983 CBS Roots ( miniseries ) `` Part VIII '' 100.0 51.1 % 71 % 000000001977 - 01 - 30 - 0000 30 Jan 1977 ABC Cheers `` One for the Road '' 93.5 45.5 % 64 % 000000001993 - 05 - 20 - 0000 20 May 1993 NBC The Fugitive `` The Judgment '' Part 2 78.0 45.9 % 72 % 000000001967 - 08 - 29 - 0000 29 Aug 1967 ABC 5 Seinfeld `` The Finale '' 76.3 41.3 % 58 % 000000001998 - 05 - 14 - 0000 14 May 1998 NBC 6 Friends `` The Last One '' 65.9 35.6 % 52 % 000000002004 - 05 - 06 - 0000 6 May 2004 NBC 7 Magnum, P.I. `` Resolutions '' 50.7 32.0 % 48 % 000000001988 - 05 - 08 - 0000 8 May 1988 CBS 8 The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson Finale of Carson - hosting era 50.0 30.0 % 46 % 000000001992 - 05 - 22 - 0000 22 May 1992 NBC 9 The Cosby Show `` And So We Commence '' 44.4 28.0 % 45 % 000000001992 - 04 - 30 - 0000 30 April 1992 10 Frasier `` Goodnight, Seattle '' 42.7 25.8 % 40 % 000000002004 - 05 - 13 - 0000 13 May 2004 NBC 11 All in the Family `` Too Good Edith '' 40.2 26.6 % 43 % 000000001979 - 04 - 08 - 0000 8 April 1979 CBS 12 Everybody Loves Raymond `` The Finale '' 38.3 25.7 % 36 % 000000002005 - 05 - 16 - 0000 16 May 2005 CBS 13 Family Ties `` Alex Does n't Live Here Anymore '' 36.3 20.8 % 35 % 000000001989 - 05 - 14 - 0000 14 May 1989 NBC 14 Home Improvement `` The Long and Winding Road '' 35.5 21.6 % 43 % 000000001999 - 05 - 25 - 0000 25 May 1999 ABC 15 Dallas `` Conundrum '' 33.3 22.0 % 38 % 000000001991 - 05 - 03 - 0000 3 May 1991 CBS ^ Jump up to : The number of viewers for M * A * S * H ( 105.9 million ) and Cheers ( 84.4 million ) are the numbers most commonly reported. M * A * S * H has also been reported at 121.6 million viewers and Cheers has been reported at 93.5 million viewers. For Cheers and M * A * S * H, 93.5 million and 121.6 million represent the total audience who watched at least six minutes and the 84.4 million and 105.9 million represent the viewers who watched the average minute. As previously mentioned, 125 million represents the total audience that tuned into the last 5 minutes of the series finale of M.A.S.H. during its primetime telecast. Regular episodes of M * A * S * H were thirty minutes long, but the final episode aired as a television movie and was two hours and thirty minutes long. Most watched series episode of the decade This table lists the most watched overall television episode for every decade in the United States, as tallied by the Nielsen Media Research since the 1950 -- 1951 television season. The audience share category of the Nielsen ratings only began in the 1959 -- 1960 television season, and that all the Nielsen ratings for U.S. telecasts starting 2003 were adjusted from the 2007 -- 08 season to incorporate both the standard live primetime and time - shifted or delayed DVR viewership figures ( based on the telecast 's final 5 - minute standard run ) in the United States only ( from the dates of their original series finale runs ). Decade Title Episode Viewers ( in millions ) Household share Audience share Date Network 1950s The Ed Sullivan Show Special guesting of Elvis Presley 60.0 82.6 % 71 % 000000001956 - 09 - 09 - 0000 9 Sep 1956 CBS 1960s The Fugitive `` The Judgment '' Part 2 78.0 45.9 % 72 % 000000001967 - 08 - 29 - 0000 29 Aug 1967 ABC 1970s Roots ( miniseries ) `` Part VIII '' 100.0 51.1 % 71 % 000000001977 - 01 - 30 - 0000 30 Jan 1977 ABC 1980s M * A * S * H `` Goodbye, Farewell and Amen '' 125.0 60.2 % 77 % 000000001983 - 02 - 28 - 0000 28 Feb 1983 CBS 1990s Cheers `` One for the Road '' 93.5 51.7 % 72 % 000000001993 - 05 - 20 - 0000 20 May 1993 NBC 2000s Friends `` The Last One '' 80.0 40.2 % 62 % 000000002004 - 05 - 06 - 0000 6 May 2004 NBC 2010s Undercover Boss `` Waste Management, Inc '' ( Series Premiere ) 42.3 29.4 % 36 % 000000002010 - 02 - 07 - 0000 7 Feb 2010 CBS Most watched series per year This table lists all the TV shows with the highest average household Nielsen rating for each television season in the United States. However, the final annual - high Nielsen household share ratings starting the 2007 -- 08 season incorporate both the standard live primetime and time - shifted or delayed DVR viewership figures in the United States only. Fox 's American Idol holds the record for most consecutive ( and overall total ) seasons at No. 1, with eight. It is also the first ever television series of reality singing competition genre ( and Fox 's first ever television program ) to take the top position in the Nielsen annual primetime television ratings. However, American Idol usually airs two live episodes a week for its finals stage ( Tuesdays and Wednesdays from its inception in 2002 to 2010, and Wednesdays and Thursdays between 2011 and 2014 ) ; for the 2003 -- 2004 season, only the Tuesday ( or competition stage ) show was ranked No. 1, and for that television season, American Idol as a whole placed second ( potentially giving the top spot to CSI : Crime Scene Investigation from CBS, if the ratings of American Idol for that year had been summarized as only 1 day - per - week broadcast format ). From 2005 to 2011, the whole show was No. 1 for only seven consecutive ( and overall total ) seasons, but still ranked No. 1 overall in the 18 -- 49 demographic for eight consecutive seasons. CBS 's All in the Family and NBC 's The Cosby Show and Sunday Night Football share second place, ranked No. 1 overall each for 5 consecutive ( and overall total ) seasons, from 1972 to 1976, 1986 to 1990, and 2012 and beginning 2014, respectively. The latter became the first ever regular primetime sports television program to rank first in the Nielsen annual ratings. If the total number of seasons of Nielsen No. 1 - leads are counted, CBS 's 60 Minutes also share second place, and to date is the only primetime program to lead the Nielsen primetime ratings in 3 separate decades -- 1970s, 1980s and the 1990s, as well as the most recent nightly news program to rank first in the Nielsen annual ratings. Since 2004, all Nielsen U.S. top - ranking overall television programs are broadcast live in the U.S. except for NCIS, which in the 2012 - 2013 season, became the most recent scripted series to rank first in the overall Nielsen annual ratings. As of 2017, NBC 's ER and Friends, remained the latest primetime programs in the United States of medical drama and sitcom genres to rank first in the Nielsen annual ratings, back in 1994, 1999 and 2002, respectively. NBC 's Seinfeld remained as the latest television series to end its run leading the annual Nielsen television ratings, back in 1998. Who Wants to Be a Millionaire ? remains the latest primetime program from ABC to lead the Nielsen annual television ratings, back in 2000. Record - setting U.S. television programs as listed below are in bold text. The program with the all - time highest annual Nielsen average rating Two or more programs tie for highest average Nielsen rating in the same season The program with the all - time longest consecutive season winning streak in Nielsen ratings Season Program Network Rating 1950 -- 1951 Texaco Star Theater NBC 61.6 1951 -- 1952 Arthur Godfrey 's Talent Scouts CBS 53.8 1952 -- 1953 I Love Lucy 67.3 1953 -- 1954 58.8 1954 -- 1955 49.3 1955 -- 1956 The $64,000 Question 47.5 1956 -- 1957 I Love Lucy 43.7 1957 -- 1958 Gunsmoke 43.1 1958 -- 1959 39.6 1959 -- 1960 40.3 1960 -- 1961 37.3 1961 -- 1962 Wagon Train NBC 32.1 1962 -- 1963 The Beverly Hillbillies CBS 36.0 1963 -- 1964 39.1 1964 -- 1965 Bonanza NBC 36.3 1965 -- 1966 31.8 1966 -- 1967 29.1 1967 -- 1968 The Andy Griffith Show CBS 27.6 1968 -- 1969 Rowan & Martin 's Laugh - In NBC 31.8 1969 -- 1970 26.3 1970 -- 1971 Marcus Welby, M.D. ABC 29.6 1971 -- 1972 All in the Family CBS 34.0 1972 -- 1973 33.3 1973 -- 1974 31.2 1974 -- 1975 30.2 1975 -- 1976 30.1 1976 -- 1977 Happy Days ABC 31.5 1977 -- 1978 Laverne & Shirley 31.6 1978 -- 1979 30.5 1979 -- 1980 60 Minutes CBS 28.4 1980 -- 1981 Dallas 34.5 1981 -- 1982 28.4 1982 -- 1983 60 Minutes 25.5 1983 -- 1984 Dallas 25.7 1984 -- 1985 Dynasty ABC 25.0 1985 -- 1986 The Cosby Show NBC 33.7 1986 -- 1987 34.9 1987 -- 1988 27.8 1988 -- 1989 25.6 1989 -- 1990 Roseanne ABC 23.1 The Cosby Show NBC 1990 -- 1991 Cheers 21.3 1991 -- 1992 60 Minutes CBS 21.9 1992 -- 1993 1993 -- 1994 20.9 1994 -- 1995 Seinfeld NBC 20.6 1995 -- 1996 ER 22.0 1996 -- 1997 21.2 1997 -- 1998 Seinfeld 21.7 1998 -- 1999 ER 17.8 1999 -- 2000 Who Wants to Be a Millionaire ? -- Tuesdays ABC 18.6 2000 -- 2001 Survivor : The Australian Outback CBS 17.4 2001 -- 2002 Friends NBC 15.3 2002 -- 2003 CSI : Crime Scene Investigation CBS 16.3 2003 -- 2004 American Idol -- Tuesdays ( Competition ) Fox 14.2 2004 -- 2005 American Idol -- Overall Season 15.2 2005 -- 2006 17.6 2006 -- 2007 17.3 2007 -- 2008 16.9 2008 -- 2009 15.7 2009 -- 2010 13.9 2010 -- 2011 14.8 2011 -- 2012 NBC Sunday Night Football NBC 13.1 2012 -- 2013 NCIS CBS 12.7 2013 -- 2014 NBC Sunday Night Football NBC 12.8 2014 -- 2015 12.9 2015 -- 2016 13.3 2016 -- 2017 12.2 Longest dominating series of the decade This table lists the primetime television series with the most number of seasons of No. 1 in the Nielsen ratings for every decade in the United States, as tallied by the Nielsen Media Research since the 1950 -- 1951 television season. Only the Nielsen household share will be shown in the following table. The U.S. television program with the longest ever streak at No. 1 in the Nielsen ratings is written in bold text. Decade Series Peak season household share Debut season at Nielsen No. 1 End season at Nielsen No. 1 Seasons at No. 1 Network 1950s I Love Lucy 67.3 ( 1952 -- 1953 ) 1952 -- 1953 1956 -- 1957 CBS 1960s Gunsmoke 43.1 ( 1957 -- 1958 ) 1957 -- 1958 1960 -- 1961 1970s All in the Family 34.0 ( 1971 -- 1972 ) 1971 -- 1972 1975 -- 1976 5 1980s The Cosby Show 34.9 ( 1986 -- 1987 ) 1985 -- 1986 1989 -- 1990 NBC 1990s 60 Minutes 28.4 ( 1979 -- 1980 ) 1979 -- 1980 1993 -- 1994 CBS 2000s American Idol 17.6 ( 2005 -- 2006 ) 2003 -- 2004 2010 -- 2011 8 Fox 2010s NBC Sunday Night Football 13.3 ( 2015 -- 2016 ) 2011 -- 2012 2016 - 2017 5 NBC References Sources Mytton, Graham ( 14 August 2012 ). `` Global Media Research : Can We Know Global Audiences ? A View from a BBC Perspective ''. In Ingrid Volkmer. 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The gala has made some world records : It has the world 's highest audience numbers of its kind, reaching more than one billion ( 1,000,000,000. ) viewers. ^ Jump up to : `` TV in the PRC ''. that 's Shanghai. 5 December 2012. With an estimated daily audience of around 135 million -- 14 times the audience of the highest - rated US news show -- CCTV 's Xinwen Lianbo is one of the world 's most watched programs. Such is its power that last month the 2013 advertising slots were sold for a record RMB5. 4 billion, with Wuliangye, Maotai and Gome spending over RMB1 billion between them on the five - second countdown before the show begins. Jump up ^ tv-tipps.net TV - Einschaltquote : EM - Finale knackt nicht den Allzeit - Rekord ( German ) Jump up ^ `` The Top 50 most watched programmes on Irish TV this CENTURY ''. Jump up ^ `` 1 位 は 40 % ! ? アニメ の 歴代 視聴 率 ランキング Top10 ネタ ・ おもしろ ・ エンタメ 大学 生活 マイナビ 学生 の 窓口 ''. マイナビ 学生 の 窓口 マイナビ 学生 の 窓口. Retrieved 2016 - 10 - 06. 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Jump up ^ `` Polscy piłkarze na Euro 2012 : hitem mecz Polska - Rosja ( dane minuta po minucie ) ''. wirtualnemedia.pl. 19 June 2012. Jump up ^ `` Polska - Grecja : średnio 13, 3 mln widzów. Oglądalność TV minuta po minucie ''. media2.pl. 11 June 2012. Jump up ^ `` 13 mln widzów oglądało pogrzeb prezydenta Kaczyńskiego ''. wirtualnemedia.pl. 20 April 2010. Jump up ^ `` Raport tygodniowy : 2005 - 03 - 06 ''. agbnielsen.pl. Retrieved 18 July 2012. Jump up ^ `` Audiências de programas antigos ''. Retrieved 15 May 2014. Jump up ^ `` Juventus - Benfica une quase 3 milhes em frente ao ecr -- TV & Media -- DN ''. DN. Retrieved 1 November 2014. Jump up ^ `` TVI leva concorrência a mínimos com a final da `` Liga dos Campeões '' ``. A Televisão. Retrieved 1 November 2014. Jump up ^ `` Porto mobiliza audiência ''. Marktest.com. Marktest. Retrieved 31 March 2015. Jump up ^ `` Audiências Tv em Janeiro ''. Retrieved 31 March 2015. Jump up ^ `` Audiências Tv em Maio ''. Retrieved 31 March 2015. Jump up ^ `` Audiências Tv em Julho de 2006 ''. Retrieved 31 March 2015. Jump up ^ `` Audiências Tv em Junho de 2010 ''. Retrieved 31 March 2015. Jump up ^ `` Debate entre Passos e Costa com audiência histórica de 3, 4 milhões ''. Retrieved 10 September 2015. Jump up ^ `` Audiência recorde para o Portugal - França ''. Retrieved 26 June 2016. Jump up ^ `` South Korean TV Ratings : TNmS vs. AGB Nielsen ''. Soompi. 2011 - 06 - 21. Retrieved 2014 - 09 - 10. Jump up ^ `` Årsrapporter TV '' Rapporter och publiceringar `` MMS ''. Mms.se. Retrieved 2016 - 05 - 14. ^ Jump up to : `` TV since 1981 -- 1986 -- Top 10 programmes ''. Broadcasters ' Audience Research Board ( BARB ). Retrieved 7 July 2016. ^ Jump up to : `` TV since 1981 -- 1987 -- Top 10 programmes ''. Broadcasters ' Audience Research Board ( BARB ). Retrieved 7 July 2016. ^ Jump up to : `` TV since 1981 -- 1996 -- Top 10 programmes ''. Broadcasters ' Audience Research Board ( BARB ). Retrieved 7 July 2016. ^ Jump up to : `` Features Britain 's Most Watched TV 1990s ''. British Film Institute ( BFI ). Archived from the original on 25 November 2005. Retrieved 7 July 2016. ^ Jump up to : `` Features Britain 's Most Watched TV 1960s ''. British Film Institute ( BFI ). Archived from the original on 22 November 2005. Retrieved 7 July 2016. ^ Jump up to : `` TV since 1981 -- 1988 -- Top 10 programmes ''. Broadcasters ' Audience Research Board ( BARB ). Retrieved 7 July 2016. ^ Jump up to : `` Features Britain 's Most Watched TV 1970s ''. British Film Institute ( BFI ). Archived from the original on 22 November 2005. Retrieved 7 July 2016. ^ Jump up to : `` TV since 1981 -- 1985 -- Top 10 programmes ''. Broadcasters ' Audience Research Board ( BARB ). Retrieved 7 July 2016. ^ Jump up to : `` TV since 1981 -- 1995 -- Top 10 programmes ''. Broadcasters ' Audience Research Board ( BARB ). Retrieved 7 July 2016. ^ Jump up to : `` Features Britain 's Most Watched TV 1980s ''. British Film Institute ( BFI ). Archived from the original on 22 November 2005. Retrieved 7 July 2016. ^ Jump up to : `` TV since 1981 -- 2001 -- Top 10 programmes ''. Broadcasters ' Audience Research Board ( BARB ). Retrieved 7 July 2016. Jump up ^ `` TV 's jewels fail to shine in list of all - time winners ''. Corrie.net. 7 February 1998. Retrieved 4 May 2011. Jump up ^ `` BARB Weekly Top 30 Programmes w / e 12 August 2012 ''. Barb.co.uk. Retrieved 20 August 2012. Jump up ^ `` Olympics opening ceremony is second most watched UK TV broadcast ever -- TV News ''. Digital Spy. 6 August 2012. Retrieved 13 August 2012. Jump up ^ `` TV Since 1981 ''. BARB. Retrieved 7 July 2016. Jump up ^ `` TV since 1981 -- 1981 -- Top 10 programmes ''. Broadcasters ' Audience Research Board ( BARB ). Retrieved 7 July 2016. Jump up ^ `` TV since 1981 -- 1982 -- Top 10 programmes ''. Broadcasters ' Audience Research Board ( BARB ). Retrieved 7 July 2016. Jump up ^ `` TV since 1981 -- 1983 -- Top 10 programmes ''. Broadcasters ' Audience Research Board ( BARB ). Retrieved 7 July 2016. Jump up ^ `` TV since 1981 -- 1984 -- Top 10 programmes ''. Broadcasters ' Audience Research Board ( BARB ). Retrieved 7 July 2016. Jump up ^ `` TV since 1981 -- 1989 -- Top 10 programmes ''. Broadcasters ' Audience Research Board ( BARB ). Retrieved 7 July 2016. Jump up ^ `` TV since 1981 -- 1990 -- Top 10 programmes ''. Broadcasters ' Audience Research Board ( BARB ). Retrieved 7 July 2016. Jump up ^ `` TV since 1981 -- 1991 -- Top 10 programmes ''. Broadcasters ' Audience Research Board ( BARB ). Retrieved 7 July 2016. Jump up ^ `` TV since 1981 -- 1992 -- Top 10 programmes ''. Broadcasters ' Audience Research Board ( BARB ). Retrieved 7 July 2016. Jump up ^ `` TV since 1981 -- 1993 -- Top 10 programmes ''. Broadcasters ' Audience Research Board ( BARB ). Retrieved 7 July 2016. Jump up ^ `` TV since 1981 -- 1994 -- Top 10 programmes ''. Broadcasters ' Audience Research Board ( BARB ). Retrieved 7 July 2016. Jump up ^ `` TV since 1981 -- 1997 -- Top 10 programmes ''. Broadcasters ' Audience Research Board ( BARB ). Retrieved 7 July 2016. Jump up ^ `` TV since 1981 -- 1998 -- Top 10 programmes ''. Broadcasters ' Audience Research Board ( BARB ). Retrieved 7 July 2016. Jump up ^ `` TV since 1981 -- 1999 -- Top 10 programmes ''. Broadcasters ' Audience Research Board ( BARB ). Retrieved 7 July 2016. Jump up ^ `` TV since 1981 -- 2000 -- Top 10 programmes ''. Broadcasters ' Audience Research Board ( BARB ). Retrieved 7 July 2016. Jump up ^ `` TV since 1981 -- 2002 -- Top 10 programmes ''. Broadcasters ' Audience Research Board ( BARB ). Retrieved 7 July 2016. Jump up ^ `` TV since 1981 -- 2003 -- Top 10 programmes ''. Broadcasters ' Audience Research Board ( BARB ). Retrieved 7 July 2016. Jump up ^ `` TV since 1981 -- 2004 -- Top 10 programmes ''. Broadcasters ' Audience Research Board ( BARB ). Retrieved 7 July 2016. Jump up ^ `` TV since 1981 -- 2005 -- Top 10 programmes ''. Broadcasters ' Audience Research Board ( BARB ). Retrieved 7 July 2016. Jump up ^ `` TV since 1981 -- 2006 -- Top 10 programmes ''. Broadcasters ' Audience Research Board ( BARB ). Retrieved 7 July 2016. Jump up ^ `` TV since 1981 -- 2007 -- Top 10 programmes ''. Broadcasters ' Audience Research Board ( BARB ). Retrieved 7 July 2016. Jump up ^ `` TV since 1981 -- 2008 -- Top 10 programmes ''. Broadcasters ' Audience Research Board ( BARB ). Retrieved 7 July 2016. Jump up ^ `` TV since 1981 -- 2009 -- Top 10 programmes ''. Broadcasters ' Audience Research Board ( BARB ). Retrieved 7 July 2016. Jump up ^ `` TV since 1981 -- 2010 -- Top 10 programmes ''. Broadcasters ' Audience Research Board ( BARB ). Retrieved 7 July 2016. Jump up ^ `` TV since 1981 -- 2011 -- Top 10 programmes ''. Broadcasters ' Audience Research Board ( BARB ). Retrieved 7 July 2016. Jump up ^ `` TV since 1981 -- 2012 -- Top 10 programmes ''. Broadcasters ' Audience Research Board ( BARB ). Retrieved 7 July 2016. Jump up ^ `` TV since 1981 -- 2013 -- Top 10 programmes ''. Broadcasters ' Audience Research Board ( BARB ). Retrieved 7 July 2016. Jump up ^ `` TV since 1981 -- 2014 -- Top 10 programmes ''. Broadcasters ' Audience Research Board ( BARB ). Retrieved 7 July 2016. Jump up ^ `` TV since 1981 -- 2015 -- Top 10 programmes ''. Broadcasters ' Audience Research Board ( BARB ). Retrieved 7 July 2016. Jump up ^ `` TV since 1981 -- 2016 -- Top 10 programmes ''. Broadcasters ' Audience Research Board ( BARB ). Retrieved 4 May 2017. Jump up ^ `` Weekly top 10 programmes ''. Broadcasters ' Audience Research Board ( BARB ). Retrieved 9 September 2016. Jump up ^ `` TV since 1981 -- 2011 -- Events ''. Broadcasters ' Audience Research Board ( BARB ). Retrieved 7 July 2016. ^ Jump up to : Bibel, Sara ( 3 February 2014 ). `` Super Bowl XLIX is Most Watched Show in U.S. Television History With 114.4 Million Viewers ''. TV By the numbers. Retrieved 2 February 2015. Jump up ^ `` Super Bowl XLV Most Watched TV Show ; Post-Game ' Glee ' Trails ' Undercover Boss ' ''. Retrieved 14 September 2014. Jump up ^ `` Super Bowl XLVI Breaks Total Viewership Record ''. Fang 's Bites. 6 February 2012. Archived from the original on 4 August 2012. Retrieved 4 July 2013. ^ Jump up to : Walker, Tim ( 20 March 2015 ). `` Fox has created its own TV Empire -- now everyone wants a piece of it ''. London : The Independent. Retrieved 16 June 2015. Jump up ^ O'Connor, John J. ( 1980 - 11 - 22 ). `` Quotation of the Day ''. The New York Times. p. 2.47. No, J.R. 's beautiful wife did not do it. She was too obvious a suspect. The real culprit was her conniving sister, Kristin, the only other character in Dallas capable of equalling J.R. at viciousness. At 10 : 54 last night, Kristin, played by Mary Crosby, daughter of the late Bing, stepped forward to admit the dirty deed. Jump up ^ McLean, Robert A. ( 1980 - 10 - 15 ). `` A J.R. Solution Soon ? : ( First Edition ) ''. The Boston Globe. Jump up ^ Meisler, Andy ( 1995 - 05 - 07 ). `` TELEVISION ; When J.R. Was Shot The Cliffhanger Was Born ''. The New York Times. Retrieved 14 June 2012. ^ Jump up to : `` Finale Of M * A * S * H Draws Record Number Of Viewers ''. The New York Times. 3 March 1983. Jump up ^ Hyatt, Wesley ( 2012 ). Television 's Top 100. US : McFarland. p. 171. ISBN 978 - 0 - 7864 - 4891 - 3. Jump up ^ `` ' Roots ' Ratings Dip ''. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 28 February 1979. p. 29. Retrieved 2010 - 02 - 26. Jump up ^ Hanauer, Joan ( 28 February 1979 ). `` ABC Takes `` Roots '' Again ``. The Bryan Times. Retrieved 2010 - 02 - 26. Jump up ^ `` NBC wins May sweeps ; Cheers ratings No. 2 all - time. '' Toronto Star 30 May 1993, SU2 ed : C4. Web. 6 January 2012. ( subscription required ) Jump up ^ Margulies, Lee. `` TV Ratings : Surprise ! ' Cheers ' Finale Powers NBC to Top. '' Los Angeles Times 26 May 1993. Web. 6 January 2012. In Los Angeles in 1993, `` each rating point ( equaled ) 49,657 households. '' Jump up ^ `` The Finale, Part 2 episode on Seinfeld.com ''. Sony Pictures. Retrieved 2008 - 06 - 30. Jump up ^ `` NBC wins May sweeps ; Cheers ratings No. 2 all - time ''. Toronto Star. 30 May 1993. ^ Jump up to : Bjorklund, Dennis A. ( 1997 ). Toasting Cheers : An Episode Guide to the 1982 -- 1993 Comedy Series, with cast biographies and character profiles. McFarland & Company, Inc., Jefferson, North Carolina. ISBN 978 - 0 - 89950 - 962 - 4. Jump up ^ `` Goodbye, Farewell and Amen Ratings Analysis ''. M * A * S * H, Finest Kind. 10 February 2010. ^ Jump up to : `` May Sweeps : Season Finales and TV Specials ''. Retrieved 2009 - 12 - 22. Jump up ^ `` Fugitive Gets Huge Rating In Last Show '' Chicago Tribune. 31 August 1967 : C19. Jump up ^ `` Top 10 Friends Seasons ''. Listverse. 2008 - 03 - 28. Retrieved 2016 - 08 - 11. Jump up ^ `` ' Frasier ' leaves on top of ratings ''. 19 May 2004. Jump up ^ `` Final Frasier episode draws 25m ''. 15 May 2004 -- via news.bbc.co.uk. Jump up ^ `` Die erfolgreichsten Serien - Finale '' ( in German ). 23 May 2010. Archived from the original on 14 February 2007. Retrieved 2006 - 10 - 23. Jump up ^ Kinon, Cristina ( 3 December 2009 ). `` The most watched TV episode of the decade was... the series finale of ' Friends ' ''. Daily News. New York. Retrieved 2009 - 12 - 22. ^ Jump up to : Petrozzello, Donna ( 27 May 1999 ). `` Power Ratings For ' Home ' ''. New York : NY Daily News. Retrieved 2010 - 02 - 24. Jump up ^ Taylor, Duncan ( 13 September 2007 ). `` Home Improvement Archive -- Episode 8.26 The Long and Winding Road, Part II ''. Retrieved 2010 - 02 - 24. Jump up ^ Pierce, Scott ( May 8, 1991 ). `` ' DALLAS ' BOWS OUT WITH A RATINGS BANG ; ` ALL IN THE FAMILY ' RETURNS TO CBS LINEUP ''. Deseret News. Retrieved 2012 - 03 - 20. Jump up ^ Carter, Bill ( 8 May 2004 ). `` ' Friends ' Finale 's Audience Is the Fourth Biggest Ever ''. The New York Times. Retrieved 13 October 2016. Jump up ^ McNeil, Alex ( 1996 ). Total Television, 4th ed. New York : Penguin. pp. 1143 -- 1161. ISBN 0 - 14 - 024916 - 8. Jump up ^ `` 2003 -- 04 Season To Date Program Rankings from September 22, 2003 Through May 30, 2004 ''. ABC Medianet. 2004 - 06 - 02. Archived from the original on 2007 - 02 - 08. Retrieved 2006 - 11 - 24. Jump up ^ Brooks, Tim and Earle Marsh ( 2007 ). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946 -- Present, p. 1679 - 1698. ISBN 978 - 0 - 345 - 49773 - 4 Jump up ^ Andreeva, Nellie ( 27 May 2011 ). `` Full 2010 -- 11 Season Series Rankers ''. Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 27 May 2011. Jump up ^ `` America 's Most Watched : The Top 50 Shows of the 2013 -- 2014 TV Season ''. 6 June 2014. Retrieved 2015 - 03 - 15. Jump up ^ `` 5 reasons ' American Idol ' may go on nearly forever -- or not ''. USA Today. 17 January 2012. Retrieved 2 June 2012. Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_most_watched_television_broadcasts&oldid=807762183 '' Categories : Top television lists Lists of superlatives Hidden categories : CS1 uses Russian - language script ( ru ) CS1 Russian - language sources ( ru ) CS1 maint : Unfit url Pages containing links to subscription - only content CS1 German - language sources ( de ) Use dmy dates from March 2013 All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from August 2017 All articles lacking reliable references Articles lacking reliable references from August 2017 All articles needing additional references Articles needing additional references from August 2017 Incomplete television lists Articles lacking reliable references from March 2017 Talk Contents About Wikipedia Add links This page was last edited on 30 October 2017, at 00 : 27. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply. 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Question: what is the most watched event on television
Answer: NBC's live telecast of Super Bowl XLIX