In the history of television, some shows have left their mark on millions of viewers. Among them, there is one that stands out for its unmatched audience…
The history of television is already very rich and some shows have marked generations from decade to decade. However, some have reached heights that have never been equaled. A recent list of the most watched shows of all time on television has just been revealed by the American magazine Deadline, figures in support, and some programs have indeed gathered a number of viewers that we did not suspect. Time flies by and the productions are foreign, it is however very likely that you have never seen them!
Among the programs that have attracted massive audiences, we find for example “The Day After”, an American television movie broadcast in 1983 on the consequences of a nuclear war, which attracted no less than 100 million viewers. In 1977, the mini-series “Roots”, tracing the history of African-American ancestors, also captivated 100 million people with its eighth episode. The finale of the television series “MHASS*H,” which aired in 1983 and depicted the lives of a group of medical personnel during the Korean War, is also notable for attracting 105.9 million viewers.
Several historical moments have also attracted huge audiences. President Richard Nixon’s resignation speech in 1974, following the Watergate scandal, was watched by 110 million people. The hunt for OJ Simpson in 1994 is another example of a captivating television moment. That day, 95 million viewers watched live as police chased the former football player in his white Ford Bronco along the freeways of Los Angeles.
One thing that unites several of the most-watched programs of all time: sports, but not the football World Cup. It is the Super Bowl that largely dominates the ranking in global audiences, with 18 of the 25 most-watched programs in television history being annual American football finals. In 2023, the Kansas City Chiefs’ victory, their third title in five years, attracted more than 123 million viewers. They were 114.4 million for the New England Patriots’ in 2015, 112.3 million for the Los Angeles Rams’ in 2022… Some halftime shows are also dedicated: Michael Jackson’s in 1993 deserves a special mention, with 102 million viewers.
But there is only one television event that tops the rankings: the Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969. This extraordinary feat attracted the attention of more than 150 million people, setting a viewing record that has never been equaled since. Despite the decades that have passed and the emergence of new forms of entertainment, this show remains the most watched of all time. With the fragmentation of audiences and the emergence of streaming platforms, it is unlikely to reach such a level today.