With the actors and writers strikes both impacting much of the year, this year’s ratings report is much different than those in the past; namely, it’s much lighter on programming because for half of the year there were a lot less shows airing new episodes, and the fall TV season was nearly non-existent.
However, like every year, what is to follow is the list of ratings for the TV dramas – and only TV dramas – that have aired on the major and cable networks during the last half of the 2022-2023 TV season and the first half of the much truncated 2023-2024 TV season. The numbers provided below are the average of the overnight viewership for each drama; they do not include any additional days or adjustments.
Then at the bottom of this piece, just like in years past, I will provide all of the made-for-TV movies on the major and cable networks where ratings could be tracked down.
Let’s get started…
The first list is the major network dramas that aired from January through approximately May, covering the last half of the 2022-2023 TV season:
NCIS (CBS) – 6.8 million viewers
FBI (CBS) – 6.7 million viewers
Fire Country (CBS) – 6.5 million viewers
Chicago Fire (NBC) – 6.5 million viewers
The Equalizer (CBS) – 6.4 million viewers
Chicago Med (NBC) – 6.2 million viewers
Blue Bloods (CBS) – 5.7 million viewers
FBI: International (CBS) – 5.5 million viewers
Chicago P.D. (NBC) – 5.1 million viewers
NCIS: Hawai’i (CBS) – 5 million viewers
S.W.A.T. (CBS) – 5 million viewers
East New York (CBS) – 4.9 million viewers *
FBI: Most Wanted (CBS) – 4.9 million viewers
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (NBC) – 4.7 million viewers
So Help Me Todd (CBS) – 4.6 million viewers
NCIS: Los Angeles (CBS) – 4.5 million viewers
Law & Order (NBC) – 4.4 million viewers
9-1-1 (FOX) – 4.3 million viewers [will be relocating to ABC in 2024]
The Rookie (ABC) – 4.1 million viewers
Station 19 (ABC) – 3.8 million viewers
9-1-1: Lone Star (FOX) – 3.5 million viewers
Law & Order: Organized Crime (NBC) – 3.4 million viewers
The Good Doctor (ABC) – 3.4 million viewers
Magnum P.I. (NBC) – 3.3 million viewers
CSI: Vegas (CBS) – 3.2 million viewers
Grey’s Anatomy (ABC) – 3.2 million viewers
Will Trent (ABC) – 3 million viewers
New Amsterdam (NBC) – 2.8 million viewers *
Alaska Daily (ABC) – 2.7 million viewers *
The Rooke: Feds (ABC) – 2.7 million viewers *
The Resident (FOX) – 2.6 million viewers *
True Lies (CBS) – 2.4 million viewers *
Accused (FOX) – 2.3 million viewers
Big Sky (ABC) – 2.3 million viewers *
The Company You Keep (ABC) – 2.2 million viewers *
Alert: Missing Persons Unit (FOX) – 2.1 million viewers
The Blacklist (NBC) – 2.1 million viewers *
Quantum Leap (NBC) – 2 million viewers
La Brea (NBC) – 1.9 million viewers
A Million Little Things (ABC) – 1.8 million viewers *
Fantasy Island (FOX) – 1.8 million viewers *
Superman & Lois (The CW) – 664,000 viewers
Walker (The CW) – 662,000 viewers
The Flash (The CW) – 509,000 viewers *
All American (The CW) – 508,000 viewers
Walker: Independence (The CW) – 453,000 viewers *
All American Homecoming (The CW) – 448,000 viewers
Kung Fu (The CW) – 401,000 viewers *
Gotham Knights (The CW) – 398,000 viewers *
The Winchesters (The CW) – 383,000 viewers *
* denotes all those shows that have since been cancelled or came to a planned ending
The second list covers all of the cable network dramas from that same approximate time period: January through May 2023:
Yellowstone (Paramount Network) – 8.2 million
1923 (Paramount Network) – 3.7 million viewers [special cable network airing]
The Way Home (Hallmark Channel) – 1.5 million viewers
Ride (Hallmark Channel) – 1 million viewers *
The Last of Us (HBO) – 809,000 viewers
Succession (HBO) – 705,000 viewers *
Mayfair Witches (AMC) – 504,000 viewers
The Ark (Syfy) – 397,000 viewers
Perry Mason (HBO) – 349,000 viewers *
Lucky Hank (AMC) – 303,000 viewers *
Your Honor (Showtime) – 285,000 viewers *
Power Book II: Ghost (Starz) – 274,000 viewers
George & Tammy (Showtime) – 252,000 viewers (approximately) *
White House Plumbers (HBO) – 184,000 viewers (approximately) *
Yellowjackets (Showtime) – 173,000 viewers
The Watchful Eye (Freeform) – 117,000 viewers *
Good Trouble (Freeform) – 92,000 viewers *
* denotes all those shows that have since been cancelled or came to a planned ending
NOTE: No ratings for the following cable dramas that aired during January and May could be tracked down: A Spy Among Friends, From and Godfather of Harlem on MGM+ (formerly EPIX); C.B. Strike (HBO); A Small Light on National Geographic; All Creatures Great and Small, Call the Midwife, Marie Antoinette, Miss Scarlet & the Duke, Sanditon, Tom Jones and Vienna Blood all on PBS.
The third list covers the dramas that aired on the major networks over the summer from May through approximately September/October 2023:
The Chosen (The CW) – 456,000 viewers
Family Law (The CW) – 441,000 viewers
Nancy Drew (The CW) – 404,000 viewers *
The Rising (The CW) – 361,000 viewers ^
Moonshine (The CW) – 302,000 viewers ^
Barons (The CW) – 174,000 viewers (approximately) [the show was pulled from the line-up after only four episodes]
* denotes those shows that have since been cancelled or came to a planned ending
^ denotes those shows that not been renewed yet by their home networks
The fourth list covers all of the cable network dramas that aired from April through September 2023:
When Calls the Heart (Hallmark Channel) – 1.9 million viewers
Dark Winds (AMC) – 909,000 viewers
The Walking Dead: Dead City (AMC) – 685,000 viewers
Justified: City Primeval (FX) – 625,000 viewers *
Fear the Walking Dead (AMC) – 493,000 viewers *
Mayans MC (FX) – 468,000 viewers *
The Lazarus Project (TNT) – 442,000 viewers (approximately)
Outlander (Starz) – 342,000 viewers
Winning Time: Rise of the Lakers Dynasty (HBO) – 239,000 viewers *
The Chi (Showtime) – 165,000 viewers
Cruel Summer (Freeform) – 132,000 viewers *
Heels (Starz) – 40,000 viewers *
* denotes all those shows that have since been cancelled or came to a planned ending
NOTE: No ratings for the following cable dramas that aired during April to September could be tracked down: Domina on MGM+ and DI Ray, Endeavor, Grantchester, Mrose & The Last Endeavor: A Masterpiece Mystery and Ridley all on PBS.
The fifth list covers all of the major network dramas that aired during the first half of the 2023-2024 TV season, covering September/October to approximately mid-December:
NCIS: Sydney (CBS) 5 million viewers
Yellowstone (CBS) [Seasons 1 and 2] – 4.5 million viewers
The Irrational (NBC) – 3.8 million viewers
Magnum P.I. (NBC) – 3.2 million viewers
Found (NBC) – 3.1 million viewers
Quantum Leap (NBC) – 2.7 million viewers
Transplant (NBC) – 2.1 million viewers (approximately) ^^
SEAL Team (CBS) – 1.3 million viewers ^
The Chosen (The CW) – 485,000 viewers ^
Sullivan’s Crossing (The CW) – 457,000 viewers
The Spencer Sisters (The CW) – 388,000 viewers ^
The Swarm (The CW) – 334,000 viewers *
* denotes all those shows that have since been cancelled or came to a planned ending
^ denotes those shows that have not been renewed nor cancelled yet
^^ denotes the shows that aired episodes through Christmas Day or just a few days after the holidays, and their ratings weren’t available in time for this report to be posted
The sixth and final list covers all of the cable dramas that aired from September through December:
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon (AMC) – 647,000 viewers
The Gilded Age (HBO) – 522,000 viewers
Fear the Walking Dead (AMC) – 484,000 viewers *
American Horror Story: Delicate (FX) – 347,000 viewers
Fargo (FX) – 338,000 viewers (approximately)
Power Book IV: Force (Starz) – 286,000 viewers (approximately)
All Rise (OWN) – 251,000 viewers *
Billions (Showtime) – 223,000 viewers *
Power Book III: Raising Kanan (Starz) – 201,000 viewers (approximately) ^
SurrealEstate (Syfy) – 180,000 viewers
BlackBerry (AMC) – 125,000 viewers *
Fellow Travelers (Showtime) – 70,000 viewers (approximately)
The Curse (Showtime) – 36,000 viewers (approximately) ^
* denotes all those shows that have since been cancelled or came to a planned ending
^ denotes the shows that aired episodes through Christmas Day or just a few days after the holidays, and their ratings weren’t available in time for this report to be posted
NOTE: No ratings for the following cable dramas that aired during September to December could be tracked down: Beacon 23, Billy the King and The Winter King on MGM+; Annika, Hotel Portofino, Little Bird, Professor T, Unforgotten, Van der Valk and World on Fire all on PBS
The final analyses of all these ratings for both the major and cable networks for the entire year are as follows:
1. NCIS reclaimed its number one status on CBS during the first half of the year with FBI hot on its heels, and Fire Country ranking as the top rated new series. On the other end, the small screen adaptation of True Lies was the lowest rated drama on the network, which is why the show was cancelled.
2. The Rookie overtook Station 19 as the highest rated drama on ABC with Will Trent ranking as the highest rated new drama. A Million Little Things, which aired its series finale in May, was the lowest rated drama.
3. Over on FOX, 9-1-1 was the highest rated drama (and ironically will be moving to ABC in March of 2024) with its spin-off 9-1-1: Lone Star coming in second place. The revival of Fantasy Island ranked as the lowest drama on the network and was subsequently cancelled after two seasons.
4. Chicago Fire is one again the top-rated drama on NBC with Chicago Med also in second place again; and Chicago P.D. was a distant third. NBC was the only network to have new, original dramas airing in the fall with The Irrational being the highest rated new drama. The lowest rated NBC drama was La Brea, which is actually coming back for its third and final season.
5. The CW is a very pale version of itself with the acquisition by Nexstar, but this time around Superman & Lois was the top-rated series followed very closely by Walker. The lowest rated original series was The Winchesters.
6. Once again, Yellowstone on Paramount Network was the highest rated series overall – even higher than NCIS – with When Calls the Heart over on Hallmark Channel a very, very distant second. The lowest rated dramas overall were Fellow Travelers and The Curse both on Showtime.
The final list – which is extremely long – covers all of the made-for-TV movies, mini-series, event series and specials that aired during 2023 on both the major and cable networks for which ratings could be tracked down.
Here is that extremely long list:
A Merry Scottish Christmas (Hallmark Channel) – 3.3 million viewers
A Biltmore Christmas (Hallmark Channel) – 3.1 million viewers
Christmas Island (Hallmark Channel) – 2.6 million viewers
The Wedding Veil Expectations (Hallmark Channel) – 2.5 million viewers
Haul Out the Holly: Lit Up (Hallmark Channel) – 2.4 million viewers
3 Bed, 2 Bath, 1 Ghost (Hallmark Channel) – 2.3 million viewers
Holiday Hotline (Hallmark Channel) – 2.3 million viewers
The Wedding Veil Inspiration (Hallmark Channel) – 2.3 million viewers
The Wedding Veil Journey (Hallmark Channel) – 2.3 million viewers
A Heidelberg Holiday (Hallmark Channel) – 2.2 million viewers
Catch Me If You Claus (Hallmark Channel) – 2.1 million viewers
Holiday Road (Hallmark Channel) – 2.1 million viewers
Sealed With a List (Hallmark Channel) – 2.1 million viewers
Sweeter Than Chocolate (Hallmark Channel) – 2.1 million viewers
A Not So Royal Christmas (Hallmark Channel) – 2 million viewers
Christmas on Cherry Lane (Hallmark Channel) – 2 million viewers
Love in Glacier National: A National Park Romance (Hallmark Channel) – 2 million viewers
My Norwegian Holiday (Hallmark Channel) – 2 million viewers
Navigating Christmas (Hallmark Channel) – 2 million viewers
The Wedding Cottage (Hallmark Channel) – 2 million viewers
A Paris Proposal (Hallmark Channel) – 1.9 million viewers
Christmas in Notting Hill (Hallmark Channel) – 1.9 million viewers
Everything Christmas (Hallmark Channel) – 1.9 million viewers
Magic in Mistletoe (Hallmark Channel) – 1.9 million viewers
Miracle in Bethlehem, PA (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.9 million viewers
The Secret Gift of Christmas (Hallmark Channel) – 1.9 million viewers
Welcome to Valentine (Hallmark Channel) – 1.9 million viewers
Flipping for Christmas (Hallmark Channel) – 1.8 million viewers
Never Been Chris’d (Hallmark Channel) – 1.8 million viewers
Where Are You, Christmas? (Hallmark Channel) – 1.8 million viewers
A Picture of Her (Hallmark Channel) – 1.7 million viewers
Checkin’ It Twice (Hallmark Channel) – 1.7 million viewers
Joyeux Noel (Hallmark Channel) – 1.7 million viewers
Mystic Christmas (Hallmark Channel) – 1.7 million viewers
Our Christmas Mural (Hallmark Channel) – 1.7 million viewers
The Dog Lover’s Guide to Dating (Hallmark Channel) – 1.7 million viewers
The Santa Summit (Hallmark Channel) – 1.7 million viewers
A Prince of Portugal (Hallmark Channel) – 1.6 million viewers
Christmas With a Kiss (Hallmark Channel) – 1.6 million viewers
Fourth Down and Love (Hallmark Channel) – 1.6 million viewers
Love’s Greek to Me (Hallmark Channel) – 1.6 million viewers
Made for Each Other (Hallmark Channel) – 1.6 million viewers
Reba McEntire’s The Hammer (Lifetime) – 1.6 million viewers
A Safari Romance (Hallmark Channel) – 1.5 million viewers
Aloha Heart (Hallmark Channel) – 1.5 million viewers
Field Day (Hallmark Channel) – 1.5 million viewers
Game of Love (Hallmark Channel) – 1.5 million viewers
Hearts in the Game (Hallmark Channel) – 1.5 million viewers
Letters to Santa (Hallmark Channel) – 1.5 million viewers
Love in the Great Smoky Mountains (Hallmark Channel) – 1.5 million viewers
Love in Zion National: A National Park Romance (Hallmark Channel) – 1.5 million viewers
Making Waves (Hallmark Channel) – 1.5 million viewers
Notes of Autumn (Hallmark Channel) – 1.5 million viewers
Round and Round (Hallmark Channel) – 1.5 million viewers
Under the Christmas Sky (Hallmark Channel) – 1.5 million viewers
A Winning Team (Hallmark Channel) – 1.4 million viewers
Heaven Down Here (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.4 million viewers
Love in the Maldives (Hallmark Channel) – 1.4 million viewers
Never Too Late to Celebrate (Hallmark Channel) – 1.4 million viewers
Retreat to You (Hallmark Channel) – 1.4 million viewers
The Wedding Contract (Hallmark Channel) – 1.4 million viewers
When Love Springs (Hallmark Channel) – 1.4 million viewers
The Professional Bridesmaid (Hallmark Channel) – 1.4 million viewers
To All a Good Night (Hallmark Channel) – 1.4 million viewers
Christmas By Design (Hallmark Channel) – 1.3 million viewers
Friends & Family Christmas (Hallmark Channel) – 1.3 million viewers
Mystery on Mistletoe Lane (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.3 million viewers
Wedding Season (Hallmark Channel) – 1.3 million viewers
A Season for Family (Hallmark Channel) – 1.2 million viewers
A Very Venice Romance (Hallmark Channel) – 1.2 million viewers
Curious Caterer: Grilling Season (Hallmark Channel) – 1.2 million viewers
Dream Moms (Hallmark Channel) – 1.2 million viewers
Make Me a Match (Hallmark Channel) – 1.2 million viewers
A World Record Christmas (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.1 million viewers
My Christmas Guide (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.1 million viewers
Napa Ever After (Hallmark Channel) – 1.1 million viewers
Time for Her to Come Home for Christmas (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1.1 million viewers
Family History Mysteries: Buried Past (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 1 million viewers
Ms. Christmas Comes to Town (Hallmark Channel) 1 million viewers
Hannah Swensen Mysteries: A Zest for Death (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 991,000 viewers
The Dancing Detective: A Deadly Tango (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 870,000 viewers
Curious Caterer: Fatal Vows (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 855,000 viewers
A Cowboy Christmas Romance (Lifetime) – 850,000 viewers
The Cases of Mystery Lane (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 824,000 viewers
Mystery Island (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 789,000 viewers
Carrot Cake Murder: A Hannah Swensen Mystery (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 788,000 viewers
Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: Something New (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 738,000 viewers
Unexpected Grace (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 693,000 viewers
Gwen Shamblin: Starving for Salvation (Lifetime) – 679,000 viewers
V.C. Andrews Dawn (Lifetime, Part 4 of 4) – 670,000 viewers
The Blessing Bracelet (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 657,000 viewers
The More Love Grows (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 632,000 viewers
V.C. Andrews Dawn (Lifetime, Part 2 of 4) – 610,000 viewers
Haunted Harmony Mysteries: Murder in G Major (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 591,000 viewers
Come Fly With Me (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 576,000 viewers
The Jane Mysteries: Inheritance Lost (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 569,000 viewers
Guiding Emily (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries) – 562,000 viewers
Ladies of the ‘80s: A Divas Christmas (Lifetime) – 553,000 viewers
Christmas at the Chalet (Lifetime) – 498,000 viewers
Christmas Plus One (Lifetime) – 498,000 viewers
Giving Hope: The Ni’Cola Mitchell Story (Lifetime) – 421,000 viewers
Yes, Chef! Christmas (Lifetime) – 405,000 viewers
Peppermint & Postcards (Great American Family) – 386,000 viewers
My Christmas Hero (Great American Family) – 371,000 viewers
A Christmas Intern (Lifetime) – 367,000 viewers
Merry Magic Christmas (Lifetime) – 361,000 viewers
A Royal Date for Christmas (Great American Family) – 349,000 viewers
Santa, Maybe (Great American Family) – 349,000 viewers
Mistletoe Match (Lifetime) – 348,000 viewers
The Naughty Nine (Disney) – 345,000 viewers
The Jingle Bell Jubilee (Great American Family) – 340,000 viewers
Designing Christmas With You (Great American Family) – 338,000 viewers
Planes, Trains and Christmas Trees (Lifetime) – 336,000 viewers
A Christmas Blessing (Great American Family) – 332,000 viewers
The Holiday Proposal Plan (Lifetime) – 316,000 viewers
Christmas on Windmill Way (Great American Family) – 306,000 viewers
Meet Me Under the Mistletoe (Great American Family) – 294,000 viewers
A Christmas for the Ages (Great American Family) – 282,000 viewers
A Paris Christmas Waltz (Great American Family) – 265,000 viewers
Laughing All the Way (Lifetime) – 258,000 viewers
12 Games of Christmas (Great American Family) – 253,000 viewers
Dial S for Santa (UPtv) – 253,000 viewers
Monster High 2 (Nickelodeon) – 250,000 viewers
Christmas Keepsake (Great American Family) – 231,000 viewers
Christmas of Yes (OWN) – 218,000 viewers
Christmas at the Amish Bakery (UPtv) – 198,000 viewers
Royal Rendezvous (E! Entertainment) – 194,000 viewers
The Christmas Detective (OWN) – 194,000 viewers
Mistletoe Connection (UPtv) – 186,000 viewers
Prom Pact (Disney) – 182,000 viewers
A Christmas Serenade (OWN) – 176,000 viewers
A Harvest Homecoming (Great American Family) – 173,000 viewers
Christmas Time Capsule (UPtv) – 163,000 viewers
Craft Me a Romance (Great American Family) – 161,000 viewers
Country Hearts Christmas (UPtv) – 160,000 viewers
Country Hearts (UPtv) – 157,000 viewers
Married By Mistake (E! Entertainment) – 156,000 viewers
Yuletide the Knot (UPtv) -154,000 viewers
Why Can’t My Life Be a Rom-Com? (E! Entertainment) – 129,000 viewers
Ratings for the following made-for-TV movies could not be tracked down or weren’t available in time for this post:
A Belgian Chocolate Christmas (Great American Family)
A Lifelong Love (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries)
A Nashville Legacy (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries)
A Royal Christmas Crush (Hallmark Channel)
A Royal Christmas Holiday (Great American Family)
A Royal in Paradise (Great American Family)
Adeline (UPtv)
Big Sky River: The Bridal Path (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries)
Bringing Christmas Home (Great American Family)
Charming Valentine (Great American Family)
Christmas Revisited (OWN)
Christmas With a View (UPtv)
Destined 2: Christmas Once More (Great American Family)
Fall Into Winter (Great American Family)
Finding Love in San Antonio (UPtv)
Heist 88 (Showtime)
Just Jake (UPtv)
Lease on Love (Great American Family)
Love at the Lodge (UPtv)
Love Can Surprise You (Great American Family)
Love in Aruba (Great American Family)
Lucky Hearts (UPtv)
Maybe It’s Love (E! Entertainment)
Mixed Baggage (UPtv)
Mom’s Christmas Boyfriend (Lifetime)
One Perfect Match (Great American Family)
Romantic Rewrite (Great American Family)
Something’s Brewing (UPtv)
Southern Gospel (UPtv)
Spring Breakthrough (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries)
Sweet As Maple Syrup (UPtv)
Sweet on You (UPtv)
Swing Into Romance (Great American Family)
Take Me Back for Christmas (Hallmark Channel)
The Happy Camper (UPtv)
The Love Club: Lauren’s Dream (Hallmark Channel)
The Love Club: Nicole’s Pen Pal (Hallmark Channel)
The Love Club: Sydney’s Journey (Hallmark Channel)
The Love Club: Tara’s Tune (Hallmark Channel)
The Princess & the Bodyguard (UPtv)
The Secret Sauce (UPtv)
The Warrant: Breaker’s Law (INSP)
The Wedding Wish (UPtv)
V.C. Andrews Dawn (Lifetime, Part 1 of 4)
V.C. Andrews Dawn (Lifetime, Part 3 of 4)
We’re Scrooged (UPtv)
When Love Blooms (UPtv)
Written in the Stars (UPtv)
What TV dramas, made-for-TV movies and/or limited series have you enjoyed the most (and the least) throughout the year? Please share.
TOMORROW: Faces of 2023
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Rueben's Ramblings 