Editor’s note: If you’re just here for our research, click here to skip the intro and dive straight into the rankings.
2025 delivered another headline year for television.
From long-awaited franchise returns (looking at you, Stranger Things) to breakout hits, television didn’t just dominate screens. It took over social feeds too, fueling some of the year’s biggest all-caps moments.
So who won social this year?
Below is a look at the TV premieres and events that defined the social conversation in 2025.
Key Takeaways
- Streaming platforms drove much of the social conversation in 2025, led by major Netflix titles like Squid Game, Wednesday, and Stranger Things.
- Premium cable delivered prestige storytelling that kept viewers hooked, including hits like The Last of Us, The White Lotus, and Yellowjackets.
- Broadcast and ad-supported cable leaned into what social loves most: live moments, competition series, and reality TV.
- Live events created the year’s biggest social spikes, proving the power of real-time TV.
What were the top series premieres of 2025?
The top series premieres of 2025 were dominated by returning favorites.
Netflix titles like Stranger Things, Squid Game, Wednesday, Ginny & Georgia, and XO, Kitty took over the top spots, alongside broadcast mainstays like Saturday Night Live (NBC) and Dancing With the Stars (ABC).
Reality show favorites like Love Island USA (Peacock) also had their moment.
In fact, every top series premiere in 2025 was a returning program, proving that loyal fan bases are the spark that ignites social conversations.
What were the top new series premieres of 2025?
The top new series premieres of 2025 were dominated by streaming originals, with Heated Rivalry (HBO Max) and The Ba**ds of Bollywood (Netflix) leading the pack.
Across the board, audiences showed up for high-drama storytelling, while competition formats like Love Island: Beyond the Villa proved that unscripted spin-offs can also make some (social) noise.
What were the top ad-supported cable premieres of 2025?
The top ad-supported cable series premieres of 2025 were driven by familiar franchises, including South Park (Comedy Central), WWE Friday Night SmackDown (USA), and RuPaul’s Drag Race (MTV).
Across the category, crime, competition, comedy, and lifestyle programming fueled the most social engagement, with multiple networks landing more than one hit.
The top premium cable series premieres of 2025 were prestige, scripted originals — with HBO claiming five of the top 10 spots.
Character-driven dramas and limited series like The Last of Us, The White Lotus, and Yellowjackets came out on top, as audiences tuned in each week to follow every twist and turn.
For premium cable, the formula is clear: sharp writing, strong characters, high production value, and stories that outlast premiere night.
What were the top Spanish-language series premieres of 2025?
The top Spanish-language series premieres of 2025 leaned into drama, crime, and classic telenovela storytelling.
Titles like La casa de los famosos: All-stars and Top Chef VIP rose to the top, sparking lots of conversation during their first week.
What were the top streaming movie premieres of 2025?
The top streaming movie premieres of 2025 were big, genre-driven releases.
Action, thrillers, and franchise titles led the way, with Netflix hits like Frankenstein and Happy Gilmore 2 gripping audiences, while Amazon carved out its own moment with Culpa Nuestra and My Fault: London.
What were the top TV specials (non-political) of 2025?
The biggest non-political TV specials of 2025 were live events, led by awards shows like the 67th Annual Grammy Awards and the The Oscars.
Live entertainment and nostalgia-driven specials rounded out the category, pulling viewers together to watch the live magic.
As always, social media becomes a big group chat for these events, with viewers reacting in real-time to every funny moment, awkward hiccup, and unexpected surprise.
What were the top sports events of 2025?
The top sports events of 2025 were driven by nationally televised matchups and championship-level games.
Football and other major league sports took over the biggest moments. When the stakes were highest and the action was live, audiences showed up.
*Super Bowl LVIII also aired on Telemundo
Methodology
- Due to data error, measurement for K-Pop Demon Hunters was not available for its first 30 days and therefore not available for rankings.
- Interactions data is for programs with premiere episodes/airings occurring Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2025. Interactions reflect SCR’s “Extended Measurement” window for content from premiere day + 6 following days (P7).
- Top Sports Events Interactions reflect SCR’s “Linear” measurement (+/- 3 hours around the telecast).
What were the best TV shows of 2025 and where could audiences watch them?
The best TV shows of 2025 include titles like The Last of Us, The White Lotus, Yellowjackets, and major Netflix original shows (including Stranger Things and Wednesday). Across HBO, Netflix, and Peacock, these TV shows sparked the biggest premiere-day chatter.
What were the best new TV shows that debuted in 2025?
The best new TV shows that debuted in 2025 include Heated Rivalry, The Ba***ds of Bollywood, and Newtopia. These premieres stood out for driving strong social engagement as episodes rolled out.
What were the best TV shows of 2025 by genre?
The best TV shows of 2025 by genre included The Last of Us and The White Lotus for drama, Yellowjackets for thriller, and South Park for comedy. Reality and competition programming like RuPaul’s Drag Race and Love Island USA continue to dominate unscripted categories.
What were the most popular TV shows of 2025 with audiences?
The most popular TV shows of 2025 with audiences were franchise-driven, including Stranger Things, The Last of Us, and WWE Friday Night SmackDown. These titles consistently sparked real-time reactions, memes, and week-over-week engagement across social platforms.
What TV shows from 2025 received the most award recognition?
The TV shows from 2025 that received the most award recognition were prestige scripted originals, led by The White Lotus and The Last of Us. HBO accounted for half of the top-ranked premium cable premieres, reinforcing its dominance in awards-season conversations.
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