The Most Watched Television Show of All Time: A Look Back at History

The 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing remains the Most Watched Television Show Of All Time, captivating a massive global audience. Across multiple networks, an estimated 150 million people tuned in to witness this historical event, a record that remains unbroken in U.S. television history.

Super Bowls Dominate the Top Viewed Programs

While no program has eclipsed the moon landing, Super Bowls consistently rank among the most watched television events. Super Bowl LVIII, which saw the Kansas City Chiefs secure their third championship in five years, drew over 123 million viewers, solidifying its position as the second most watched television program ever. In fact, 18 Super Bowls feature in the top 25 most watched programs, spanning from 1986 to 2023. Impressively, 12 Super Bowls have each surpassed 100 million viewers.

The Evolving Television Landscape

Currently, entry into the top 25 most watched programs requires exceeding 92 million viewers, a challenging feat in today’s fragmented media landscape. This high threshold suggests that future Super Bowls are likely to continue claiming spots on this prestigious list.

Beyond Sports: Other Landmark Broadcasts

Beyond the dominance of Super Bowls, other historical broadcasts have captured immense viewership. These include President Richard Nixon’s resignation, the O.J. Simpson police chase, and the M*A*S*H series finale. Each of these events resonated with the public, drawing tens of millions of viewers and leaving a lasting impact on television history.

The Top 25 Most Watched Television Programs

Here’s a complete list of the 25 most watched television programs of all time:

1. Apollo 11 Moon Landing (1969): Approximately 150 million viewers.

2. Super Bowl LVIII (2024): 123.4 million viewers. The Kansas City Chiefs won against the San Francisco 49ers.

3. Super Bowl LVII (2023): 115.1 million viewers. The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles.

4. Super Bowl XLIX (2015): 114.4 million viewers. The New England Patriots won against the Seattle Seahawks.

5. Super Bowl LVI (2022): 112.3 million viewers. The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals.

6. Super Bowl XLVIII (2014): 112.2 million viewers. The Seattle Seahawks defeated the Denver Broncos.

7. Super Bowl 50 (2016): 111.9 million viewers. The Denver Broncos won against the Carolina Panthers.

8. Super Bowl XLVI (2012): 111.3 million viewers. The New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots.

9. Super Bowl LI (2017): 111.3 million viewers. The New England Patriots won against the Atlanta Falcons.

10. Super Bowl XLV (2011): 111 million viewers. The Green Bay Packers defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers.

11. President Richard Nixon’s Resignation (1974): 110 million viewers.

12. Super Bowl XLVII (2013): 108.7 million viewers. The Baltimore Ravens defeated the San Francisco 49ers.

13. Super Bowl XLIV (2010): 106.5 million viewers. The New Orleans Saints defeated the Indianapolis Colts.

14. M*A*S*H Series Finale (1983): 105.9 million viewers.

15. Super Bowl LII (2018): 103.4 million viewers. The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the New England Patriots.

16. Michael Jackson Super Bowl Halftime Show (1993): 102 million viewers.

17. Super Bowl LIV (2020): 100.4 million viewers. The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers.

18. “The Day After” (1983): 100 million viewers. A TV movie about the aftermath of a nuclear war.

19. Roots Part VIII (1977): 100 million viewers. The concluding episode of the miniseries Roots.

20. Super Bowl XLIII (2009): 98.7 million viewers. The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Arizona Cardinals.

21. Super Bowl LIII (2019): 98.2 million viewers. The New England Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Rams.

22. Super Bowl XLII (2008): 97.4 million viewers. The New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots.

23. O.J. Simpson Police Chase (1994): 95 million viewers.

24. Super Bowl XXX (1996): 94.1 million viewers. The Dallas Cowboys defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers.

25. Super Bowl XLI (2007): 93.2 million viewers. The Indianapolis Colts defeated the Chicago Bears.

The enduring legacy of these programs highlights the power of television to unite audiences and capture collective attention during momentous cultural and sporting events. The Apollo 11 moon landing continues to hold the top spot, representing a landmark achievement in human history and a testament to the captivating nature of live television.