Streaming Stars and TV Ratings Surprises in 2024

TV viewing in 2024 was a mix of hits and misses. A little blue dog dominated streaming, while a popular cable show said goodbye. Sports, especially NFL, proved streaming can be a winner. A 76-year-old treasure starred in a meta-remake that became a broadcast hit. But not all was good. Some networks struggled, and many cable shows saw their ratings drop. It was a year of ups and downs in TV ratings. A small network, The CW, saw a big decline in viewers. Its shows barely averaged 800, 000 viewers without streaming. Two major cable news channels, CNN and MSNBC, faced steep drops after the election. Outside of Yellowstone, no scripted cable show averaged more than 2 million viewers. The good news? Yellowstone broke records despite a long break and the absence of a key star. Bluey, a kids' show, became a streaming giant. The NFL stayed strong, and two new shows, Tracker and Matlock, were big hits. Bridgerton, Fallout, and other series were streaming favorites. Women's basketball and SEC football also saw rating boosts.