NBC's Ratings Triumph in 2025-26 Season Raises Renewal Questions for 2026-27

At CBS’ unveiling of its 2026-27 programming slate last week, Paramount TV Media Chair George Cheeks publicly congratulated his former colleagues at NBC for winning the 2025-26 broadcast season. This marked the first time since the 2007-08 season that CBS did not hold the top spot in ratings, a distinction NBC claimed thanks to its Legendary February.

The February lineup featured the Super Bowl, the Winter Olympics, and the NBA All-Star Game. According to Nielsen live-plus-seven-day figures through March 29, NBC averaged 6.38 million viewers for the season. This outpaced CBS, which drew 4.50 million viewers, and ABC with 4.54 million viewers. Fox ranked fourth with 3.9 million viewers.

NBC’s dominance extended to the key demographic of adults 18-49, where it achieved a 1.13 rating. This surpassed ABC (0.61), Fox (0.75), and CBS (0.46).

NBC’s Seasonal Performance vs. CBS Over Recent Years

NBC’s victory follows two seasons where it narrowly trailed CBS. In the 2024-25 season, NBC averaged 5.51 million viewers at a comparable point, compared to CBS’ 5.67 million viewers. The 2023-24 season showed a similar gap, with NBC at 5.47 million viewers and CBS at 5.63 million viewers by the end of March.

These figures reflect linear TV viewership only. The networks are increasingly relying on streaming platforms to offset declines in traditional television audiences.

Challenges Ahead for NBC in 2026-27

The ratings win was driven by an exceptional lineup of sporting events, a scenario unlikely to repeat next season. ABC will host the Super Bowl in 2027, and the next Olympics are still another year away. This shift places added pressure on NBC as it prepares its 2026-27 schedule and faces critical renewal decisions ahead of the May upfronts.

NBC has already renewed several series, including the “One Chicago” franchise, “Law & Order: SVU”, and comedies “Happy’s Place” and “St. Denis Medical”. However, five dramas and two comedies remain on the bubble:

• “Law & Order” (4.84 million viewers)
• “The Hunting Party” (3.96 million viewers)
• “Brilliant Minds” (3.14 million viewers)
• “Stumble” (freshman comedy)
• “The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins” (freshman comedy)

These shows will compete for slots alongside five drama pilots and three comedy pilots under consideration.

NBC’s Most-Watched Series in 2025-26

The “One Chicago” franchise was the network’s ratings powerhouse this season, accounting for the top three most-watched scripted shows:

• “Chicago Fire”: 7.27 million viewers
• “Chicago Med”: 7.18 million viewers
• “Chicago PD”: 6.53 million viewers

The “Law & Order” franchise followed closely. While “SVU” was renewed with 5.4 million viewers, the original “Law & Order” averaged 4.84 million viewers—making it the most-watched show still awaiting a renewal decision. It was followed by “The Hunting Party” with 3.96 million viewers.

“Brilliant Minds” was the season’s least-watched drama, drawing 3.14 million viewers. Even so, it outperformed the freshman comedies “Stumble” and “The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins”.