TL;DR
Nielsen published its list of the top 10 most-watched original TV shows in the U.S. for 2025, measured by minutes watched through November 9. The rankings are dominated by Netflix series, with Apple TV’s Severance placing at number eight.
What happened
Nielsen released its year-to-date list of the most-watched original streaming series in the U.S., using minutes watched as the metric and covering data through November 9, 2025. Bloomberg reported the ranked top 10, which is led by Netflix titles and includes some Prime Video entries. Squid Game topped the list with about 18.6 billion minutes viewed, while Apple TV’s Severance placed eighth with roughly 7 billion minutes. The list shows Netflix’s dominance in total viewing time, which the article attributes to its larger subscriber base. The report also notes timing caveats: Apple’s Pluribus premiered on November 7 and therefore had little time to accrue minutes in the Nielsen window, and Stranger Things season 5 may appear on a finalized year-end list once full data are available.
Why it matters
- Minutes-watched rankings provide a cross-platform way to compare shows beyond subscriber counts.
- Netflix’s large subscriber base continued to translate into dominant viewership totals for 2025.
- An Apple TV series (Severance) reaching the top 10 shows Apple can compete for audience attention despite smaller subscriber numbers.
- Data cutoff dates matter: late-year premieres can be undercounted and alter final year-end rankings.
Key facts
- Nielsen’s list ranks original streaming shows in the U.S. by minutes watched, with data through November 9, 2025.
- Top 10 shows reported (in order): Squid Game; Wednesday; Love Island; Reacher; Ginny & Georgia; Love Is Blind; The Night Agent; Severance; The Summer I Turned Pretty; You.
- Squid Game led the list with about 18.6 billion minutes viewed.
- Severance, an Apple TV series, ranked eighth with approximately 7 billion minutes viewed.
- The list is largely dominated by Netflix originals, with some entries from Prime Video.
- Pluribus (Apple) premiered on November 7 and was therefore minimally represented in Nielsen’s window.
- The article notes Stranger Things season 5 should appear on the final year-end rankings once full data are compiled.
- The source describes Nielsen as a widely seen provider of accurate streaming service data.
- Apple TV subscription pricing mentioned in the article: $12.99 per month (also available via Apple One).
What to watch next
- Pluribus — premiered November 7, so Nielsen’s Nov. 9 cutoff likely undercounts its audience.
- Stranger Things season 5 — the article says it should appear on the list when year-end data are finalized.
- How Nielsen’s final year-end update changes the rankings after the Nov. 9 cutoff.
Quick glossary
- Nielsen: A company that measures audience size and viewing behavior for television and streaming services.
- Minutes watched: A metric that totals the time viewers spend watching a show, used to compare engagement across platforms.
- Streaming service: An online platform that delivers video content on demand to subscribers, such as Netflix, Apple TV, or Prime Video.
- Subscriber base: The total number of paying users or accounts for a streaming service, which can influence total viewership figures.
Reader FAQ
Which shows made Nielsen’s top 10 most-watched list for 2025?
The reported top 10 are: Squid Game; Wednesday; Love Island; Reacher; Ginny & Georgia; Love Is Blind; The Night Agent; Severance; The Summer I Turned Pretty; You.
How did Apple TV perform in the rankings?
Apple TV’s Severance placed eighth with about 7 billion minutes watched.
Does the Nielsen data cover the full year?
No — the data cited run through November 9, 2025.
Was Pluribus included in the Nielsen rankings?
Pluribus premiered November 7, so it was minimally represented in Nielsen’s Nov. 9 window.
Will Stranger Things season 5 appear on the final list?
The article says Stranger Things season 5 should make the list when year-end data are finalized.
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Sources
- Here are the top 10 most-watched shows of 2025, including Apple TV hit series
- Nielsen Top 10 | Streaming, TV, Advertising, Game Ratings
- TOP 10 on Streaming in the World on December 29, 2025
- The 10 Most Watched Shows Of 2025 Should Scare Netflix
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