Skip to content
02_Elements/Icons/ArrowLeft Back to Insight
Insights >

Tops In 2008 Top TV Programs, Single Telecasts

3 minute read | December 2008

Nielsen has issued a year-end look at the most popular trends among Americans during 2008, covering everything from the top TV programs to the most popular consumer packaged goods.

FOX’s “American Idol” was the top TV program of 2008, according to Nielsen.  Tuesday night broadcasts of “American Idol,” through December 7, drew 15.5% of U.S. TV households, on average, while Wednesday night “American Idol” broadcasts drew an average of 15.3% of all TV households.

Viewers with DVR access gave NBC’s “Heroes” the biggest bump any primetime program received in 2008.  The average TV audience for “Heroes” increased by 35% when timeshifted viewing within seven days of a program’s original air date was factored into Nielsen’s ratings.  FOX’s “Fringe” and ABC’s “Lost” also drew large audience boosts — +26% and +25%, respectively — from DVR viewers.

The 2008 Superbowl, which drew 43.1% of all U.S. TV households, was the most popular single telecast of 2008. 

Top 10 TV Programs – Regularly Scheduled

RankProgramNetwork% of Homes In U.S.

(Rating)

1AMERICAN IDOL-TUESDAYFOX15.5%
2AMERICAN IDOL-WEDNESDAYFOX15.3%
3DANCING WITH THE STARSABC12.3%
4DANCING W/STARS RESULTSABC11.4%
5MENTALIST, THECBS10.0%
6NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALLNBC10.0%
7CSICBS8.1%
8NCISCBS8.0%
960 MINUTESCBS7.6%
10SURVIVOR: GABONCBS7.6%
Source: The Nielsen Company (January 1 – December 7, 2008).
Note: Household Ratings include Live and Same Day timeshifted viewing. Data excludes telecasts under five minutes.

Top 10 TV Programs – Single Telecast

RankTelecastNetworkDate Aired% Of Homes

In U.S.

(Rating)

1FOX SUPER BOWL XLIIFOX2/3/200843.1%
2FOX SUPER BOWL POST GAMEFOX2/3/200830.1%
3FOX NFC CHAMPIONSHIPFOX1/20/200829.0%
4SUMMER OLYMPICS TUE PRIME 1NBC8/12/200820.0%
5FOX NFC PLAYOFF-PST-SUNFOX1/13/200818.8%
6SUMMER OLYMPICS OPEN CEREMNBC8/8/200818.8%
7ACADEMY AWARDSABC2/24/200818.7%
8SUMMER OLYMPICS SUN PRIME 1NBC8/10/200818.1%
9AFC DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFCBS1/12/200817.9%
10SUMMER OLYMPICS THU PRIME 1NBC8/14/200817.9%
Source: The Nielsen Company (January 1 – December 7, 2008).
Note: Household Ratings include Live and Same Day timeshifted viewing. Data excludes telecasts under five minutes.

Top 10 “Timeshifted” Primetime TV Programs

RankProgramNetwork% Increase

In Viewership

1HEROESNBC35%
2FRINGEFOX26%
3LOSTABC25%
4BONESFOX21%
5GREY’S ANATOMY-THU 9PMABC20%
6HOUSEFOX18%
7SURVIVOR: GABONCBS18%
8AMERICAN IDOL-TUESDAYFOX13%
9MENTALIST, THECBS13%
10AMERICAN IDOL-WEDNESDAYFOX12%
Source: The Nielsen Company (January 1 – November 23, 2008).
Note: Percent Increase in viewership is based on absolute difference between Live Household Ratings and Live+7.

View the press release.

Relive the greatest hits of 2008 — stay tuned on Nielsen Wire for more Tops In 2008 coverage.

Look ahead to the new year with Nielsen Wire’s 2009 Industry Outlook series.

Related tags:

Continue browsing similar insights