In the age of streaming, it can be difficult to get a firm grasp on a particular show’s overall popularity. However, Nielsen is widely regarded as providing the most accurate streaming service data and has now revealed the top 10 most-watched shows of 2025.
‘Severance’ ranks among the top 10 original shows on all streaming services
When comparing the success of one TV show to another, it largely depends on the streaming platform.
Netflix has by far the largest subscriber base, so naturally, its series tend to get the most views overall.
It will be proven again in 2025, when Apple TV also managed to appear in the top 10 list.
According to reports bloombergHere are the top-performing original programs in the U.S. this year, as measured by hours watched.
- squid game
- Wednesday
- love island
- Reacher
- Ginny & Georgia
- love is blind
- night agent
- retirement allowance
- A beautiful summer
- you
This list is dominated by Netflix series, with a few appearances on Prime Video as well. However, Severance ranked 8th. It was watched for 7 billion minutes, compared to 18.6 billion minutes for the top-ranked Squid game.
There is an important caveat here. Nielsen data is only valid through November 9th. So Pluribus is a huge hit for Apple, but it was first released on November 7th.
In that regard, Stranger Things Season 5 should easily earn a spot on this list once the year-end data is confirmed.
But those caveats aside, Nielsen’s Top 10 list is an interesting compilation of the biggest hits of 2025. And Severance’s inclusion on the list is an impressive win for Apple, even though Netflix and Prime Video have a much larger subscriber base.
What are your takeaways from the Top 10 Shows of 2025 list? Let us know in the comments.
Apple TV is available for $12.99 per month and includes popular TV shows and movies like Ted Lasso, Severance, and Pluribus. Also available through the Apple One bundle.
best iphone accessories
