### Nielsen's 35-Day Ratings: Netflix Reigns but Traditional TV Holds Firm

In an unprecedented move, Nielsen released its 35-day multiplatform rankers for the 2024-2025 TV season, providing an insightful look at viewing habits across both linear and streaming platforms. The data reveal that Netflix's "Squid Game" significantly outperformed other shows, yet traditional broadcast TV is proving to be resilient.

The narrative of broadcast television's resurgence may seem overplayed, but the numbers show that it has indeed been a strong season for traditional networks. ABC's "High Potential" and CBS's "Matlock" were among the most-watched new series, with "Tracker" from CBS also ranking high, only surpassed by Netflix hits "Squid Game" and "Adolescence."

Nielsen’s comprehensive data, which includes 35 days of viewing across linear TV and streaming services, paints a clear picture of audience preferences. "High Potential" saw an initial audience of 8.2 million on ABC, nearly doubling with 7.9 million viewers on Hulu, totaling 16.1 million viewers. Similarly, "Matlock" drew 10.5 million viewers on CBS and an additional 5.5 million on Paramount+.

The data further demonstrate the dominance of Netflix, claiming five of the top ten spots in this season's rankings. "Squid Game" season 2 alone amassed an average of 27.1 million viewers, with "Adolescence" attracting 19 million viewers. Netflix also had the year's most-watched comedy with "Nobody Wants This."

Comedy also made a notable comeback, with new shows like "Running Point" and "A Man on the Inside" from Netflix, and CBS's "Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage" performing well. "Ghosts," a returning favorite, received another two-season renewal, reinforcing the genre's popularity.

In an unexpected twist, YouTube personality "Ms. Rachel" secured an average viewership of 11.5 million, giving established children’s programming like "Bluey" some stiff competition on Netflix.

Reality TV staples continue to perform robustly, with shows like "Survivor," "The Voice," and "Dancing With the Stars" ranking high. Even long-running series like "American Idol" and "The Amazing Race" maintained substantial audiences, confirming their lasting appeal.

CBS's decision to cancel "FBI: Most Wanted," "FBI: International," and "Equalizer" might surprise some, given their top 30 rankings on the broadcast-only multiplatform list. ABC's "Dr. Odyssey" also garnered solid viewership, though its fate remains undecided.

While broadcast TV remains relevant, especially for total viewers, younger demographics show a clear preference for streaming. "High Potential," the season's top broadcast show in the 18-49 demographic, averaged 5.2 million viewers—primarily from streaming. HBO's "The White Lotus" and "The Penguin" exhibit an even starker contrast, with the vast majority of their audience coming from streaming.

Overall, these Nielsen multiplatform ratings underscore the evolving landscape of TV consumption, where both traditional and new-age platforms are finding their niche among diverse audience segments.