Celebrating a Stellar Year: The Resurgence of Live TV Entertainment
The Unrivaled Kick-Off: 'New Year's Rockin' Eve' Sets the Pace
The transition from 2024 to 2025 was marked by an exceptional broadcast of "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest." This iconic ABC special captivated an astounding 29 million viewers at the stroke of midnight, solidifying its status as a ratings powerhouse. The event's consistent ability to draw such massive audiences underscores the cultural significance of live New Year's Eve celebrations, particularly the ball drop in Times Square.
Expanding Horizons: The Evolution of New Year's Programming
What began as a singular countdown has evolved into an extensive, all-night affair. The December 31, 2024, broadcast of "New Year's Rockin' Eve" saw its primary segment, spanning from 11:30 p.m. ET to 1:09 a.m., attract an average of 17.9 million viewers. During the critical midnight quarter-hour, viewership surged to 21.5 million, achieving a 5.70 rating among adults aged 18-49. This remarkable performance firmly established it as the leading New Year's Eve program, dwarfing its competitors and becoming ABC's most-watched entertainment broadcast since the 2024 Academy Awards. The upcoming 2026 edition, featuring guest Diana Ross, is set to further expand its reach by including a Central Time Zone countdown for the first time.
Glamour and Grandeur: Awards Season Dominates Primetime
Award ceremonies proved to be major draws throughout 2025. The 82nd Golden Globes on January 5 recorded 10.23 million viewers on CBS, marking its return to the year's top 100 primetime telecasts since 2020 and showing growth in key demographics. The 67th Grammys, hosted by Trevor Noah, attracted 16.87 million viewers, a slight dip from 2024 but still an impressive figure, particularly for its focus on L.A. fires fundraising efforts. The 97th Oscars, led by Conan O'Brien, drew 20.99 million viewers in live+7 metrics, continuing an upward trend in recent years. The 77th Emmys on CBS garnered 8.16 million live+7 viewers, making it the most-watched Emmys since 2021.
Special Moments: Other Notable Broadcast Events of the Year
Beyond the major awards, other significant specials contributed to a strong year for television. The "SNL50: The Anniversary Special" on February 16 was a massive hit, drawing 16.52 million viewers and ranking as the second most-watched primetime entertainment event of the year. The "American Music Awards" on CBS, hosted by Jennifer Lopez, achieved its highest viewership since 2019 with 5.52 million live+7 viewers, with total reach exceeding 10 million viewers across various networks. The "Tony Awards" (5.69 million viewers) and the "MTV Video Music Awards" (5.64 million viewers on CBS, its most-watched in six years) also demonstrated strong audience engagement. Legacy events like "Opry 100" (6.32 million viewers) and holiday traditions such as the "Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade" (26.67 million viewers, solidifying its spot as the year's top special) and "Christmas in Rockefeller Plaza" (6.36 million viewers) further highlighted the diverse appeal of television specials in 2025.
Nostalgia and Tradition: "Everybody Loves Raymond" Reunion and Canine Celebrations
Nostalgia played a key role in attracting viewers, with the "Everybody Loves Raymond: 30th Anniversary Special" on November 24 bringing in 7.49 million live+7 viewers, making it the most-watched primetime entertainment special of the fall. The enduring appeal of animal-focused events was also evident, as the "National Dog Show" on November 27 drew 12.93 million viewers, reinforcing its status as a beloved annual tradition.