Netflix and CBS are officially leading the television industry as multiplatform ratings reveal which shows audiences watched the most during the 2025-26 season.

May 28, 2026 — The battle between streaming giants and traditional television networks continues evolving, but one thing is now clear: Netflix and CBS dominated the 2025-26 television season.

According to newly released multiplatform ratings reports, Netflix and CBS emerged as the strongest performers across combined streaming and broadcast audiences, proving both companies remain major forces in modern entertainment.

The latest numbers highlight how audience viewing habits continue blending traditional television with streaming platforms, creating an increasingly competitive entertainment landscape where success depends on total cross-platform engagement rather than live ratings alone.

Image Credit: IMDb

Netflix Continues Dominating Streaming Television

Netflix once again secured several of the most-watched series of the season, continuing its dominance in global streaming entertainment.

Reports indicate major Netflix titles like Stranger Things, His & Hers, Bridgerton, and Monster: The Ed Gein Story ranked among the top-performing multiplatform programs of the year.

Stranger Things reportedly led overall multiplatform viewership rankings, reinforcing the franchise’s status as one of the most powerful streaming properties in television history.

Netflix’s continued success reflects how strongly the platform still dominates binge culture, global fan engagement, and prestige streaming television despite growing competition from other major services.

The platform also reportedly claimed multiple positions within the season’s top 10 most-watched programs, demonstrating its ability to consistently deliver large-scale entertainment events audiences prioritize watching immediately.

CBS Proves Broadcast Television Is Still Powerful

While streaming continues expanding globally, CBS demonstrated that traditional broadcast television remains extremely competitive.

The network reportedly secured several of the top-rated broadcast programs during the 2025-26 season, with shows like Marshals, Tracker, Matlock, and NCIS continuing attracting massive audiences.

According to multiplatform rankings, Marshals emerged as one of the season’s biggest broadcast success stories, reportedly averaging over 20 million viewers across CBS and Paramount+.

CBS also reportedly placed multiple programs within the overall top 20 entertainment series rankings, proving the network still maintains enormous reach among mainstream television audiences.

The results reinforce how procedural dramas, crime series, and character-driven broadcast storytelling continue resonating strongly with viewers even during the streaming era.

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The Streaming Vs Broadcast Battle Keeps Changing

The latest ratings also reveal how television measurement itself continues evolving.

Modern multiplatform ratings now combine traditional live television audiences with streaming viewership across extended viewing windows, often tracking audiences over 28 to 35 days instead of focusing only on overnight ratings.

This shift reflects how audiences increasingly watch television on their own schedules rather than through traditional appointment viewing alone.

Streaming services benefit heavily from delayed binge viewing, while broadcast networks continue relying on consistent weekly audience engagement and older demographic loyalty.

The result is a far more complex television landscape where streaming and broadcast are no longer entirely separate industries.

Why Netflix Continues Winning Globally

One major reason Netflix continues dominating ratings conversations is because of its enormous international audience reach.

Global franchises like Stranger Things and Squid Game generate worldwide viewing numbers that extend far beyond the United States television market.

Netflix also benefits from massive online fan communities, meme culture, TikTok discussions, and binge-driven release strategies that create immediate internet-wide conversation around new releases.

The platform’s ability to turn shows into cultural events remains one of its strongest advantages in the ongoing streaming wars.

Image Credit: Imdb

CBS Still Owns Traditional TV Audiences

At the same time, CBS continues proving that linear television still matters enormously, especially among broad mainstream audiences.

Crime dramas, procedural series, and comfort-watch programming remain extremely stable performers for the network, helping CBS maintain strong consistency year after year.

Shows like Tracker, 60 Minutes, and NCIS continue attracting millions of viewers weekly while also performing strongly through delayed streaming and DVR viewing.

Industry analysts increasingly point out that CBS succeeds because it focuses heavily on audience reliability rather than chasing constantly shifting internet trends.

Television Success Now Depends On Cross-Platform Reach

The 2025-26 ratings season also highlights a larger truth about modern entertainment: success now depends on total ecosystem performance rather than just one viewing format.

Networks and streaming companies must now balance:

• Live ratings
• Streaming numbers
• Delayed viewing
• Social media engagement
• Global reach
• Fan culture
• Franchise longevity

A show no longer succeeds only because people watch it live on television. It succeeds when audiences continue discussing, streaming, sharing, and revisiting it across multiple platforms.

Image Credit: The Wrap

The Future Of Television Looks More Competitive Than Ever

As streaming platforms continue investing billions into original content while traditional networks fight to retain loyal audiences, the competition for viewers is becoming increasingly intense.

Netflix’s streaming dominance and CBS’ broadcast consistency represent two very different — but equally powerful — strategies for surviving modern television.

The latest ratings prove audiences still want both binge-worthy global streaming hits and reliable weekly television favorites.

And based on the numbers from the 2025-26 season, both Netflix and CBS currently understand exactly how to deliver them.

FAQs

Which companies dominated the 2025-26 TV ratings season?

Netflix and CBS reportedly led multiplatform television ratings during the 2025-26 season.

What was the most-watched streaming series?

Stranger Things reportedly ranked among the season’s top overall multiplatform series.

Which CBS show performed best?

Marshals reportedly became one of CBS’ top-performing multiplatform programs.

What are multiplatform ratings?

Multiplatform ratings combine live television audiences with streaming and delayed viewing data across multiple platforms.

Why is CBS still strong despite streaming growth?

CBS continues attracting large audiences through popular procedural dramas, weekly programming consistency, and strong mainstream viewer loyalty.