May 2020 is eight months removed from the September 2019 kickoff to the traditional broadcast TV season, but it feels like it’s been eight years.
Below are the 14 highest-rated primetime series of a very memorable (much as we’d like to forget) and particularly front-loaded fall, winter and spring television season.
Could’ve been worse for these particular CBS, NBC, Fox and ABC series: Click here to find the lowest-rated shows of 2019-2020.
Rank: 11 (tie)
Series: “NCIS”
Network: CBS
18-49 rating: 1.7
But you should see the size of this procedural’s (older) audience.
Rank: 11 (tie)
Series: “The Voice” (Mondays, performances)
Network: NBC
18-49 rating: 1.7
No longer TV’s highest-rated singing competition, but still TV’s highest-rated *serious* singing competition.
Rank: 11 (tie)
Series: “New Amsterdam”
Network: NBC
18-49 rating: 1.7
Fairly McDreamy ratings, but not as high as “Grey’s Anatomy.”
Rank: 11 (tie)
Series: “Chicago Med”
Network: NBC
18-49 rating: 1.7 O
“One Chicago” shows appear three times on this list.
Rank: 10
Series: “9-1-1: Lone Star”
Network: Fox
18-49 rating: 1.8
Rob Lowe drama is not “9-1-1,” but it’s certainly not “Almost Family,” either.
Rank: 7 (tie)
Series: “Lego Masters”
Network: Fox
18-49 rating: 1.9
It’s good to follow “The Masked Singer.” (Just don’t rub these ratings in with the folks over at “After the Mask.”)
Rank: 7 (tie)
Series: “Survivor”
Network: CBS
18-49 rating: 1.9
CBS’ highest-rated series among viewers 18-49 is not just surviving — but thriving — in its incredible 40th season.
Rank: 7 (tie)
Series: “Chicago Fire”
Network: NBC
18-49 rating: 1.9
On fire.
Rank: 6
Series: “Chicago P.D.”
Network: NBC
18-49 rating: 2.0
We’re seriously running out of pithy things to say about Dick Wolf’s Chicago-set dramas. Good ratings. There.
Rank: 5
Series: “9-1-1”
Network: Fox
18-49 rating: 2.2
“9-1-1” is a Top 5 series, Top 3 if you’re only counting scripted shows.
Rank: 4
Series: “Grey’s Anatomy”
Network: ABC
18-49 rating: 2.3
Still blue skies for “Grey’s” in Season 16.
Rank: 3
Series: “The Bachelor”
Network: ABC
18-49 rating: 2.4
Certainly not to be confused with “The Bachelor: Listen to Your Heart.” Oof.
Rank: 2
Series: “This Is Us”
Network: NBC
18-49 rating: 2.9
This is the highest-rated scripted series on television.
Rank: 1
Series: “The Masked Singer”
Network: Fox
18-49 rating: 3.1
Now the No. 1 show for two TV seasons in a row (by virtue of a tie with “This Is Us” last year), this impressive Nielsen average includes both Seasons 2 and 3 of the oddball reality competition.
