Nielsen’s Top 20 Streaming Programs for the First Half of 2025

As we delve further into the second half of 2025, Nielsen is looking back at the first portion of the year, reviewing its “Top 20 Streaming Programs – Overall” chart from January to June.

This was also the period when streaming cemented itself as the No. 1 viewing destination. In May, it overtook the linear segments of broadcast and cable in the U.S., becoming the preferred TV viewing format.

Netflix had the most program titles in the chart, which is based on total viewing that occurred between December 29, 2024, and June 28, 2025. The streamer had six titles in the top 20, and half of those had shared distribution rights with other streaming platforms. 

However, it was a genre that Netflix is not too familiar with that led the way with the most programs, as animated content dominated the charts, comprising six out of the top 20 most-streamed titles. Notably, Disney+’s Bluey topped the list with 25.059 billion viewing minutes. 

According to Nielsen Streaming Content Ratings, comfort programming was the common theme in the chart, with Grey’s Anatomy taking the No. 2 spot with 22.551 billion viewing minutes across Hulu and Netflix.

It was followed by NCIS, seen on Hulu, Netflix, and Paramount+, with 19.117 billion minutes viewed. Hulu took fourth and fifth place, with Family Guy and Bob’s Burgers having 19.072 and 17.105 billion viewing minutes, respectively.

The first original streaming title surfaces in the No. 9 position, courtesy of Netflix’s Squid Game, with 15.074 billion viewing minutes. Other original titles in the chart include Prime Video’s Reacher in 11th place with 13.313 billion minutes viewed, The Night Agent from Netflix at No. 14 with 12.219 billion viewing minutes, and HBO Max’s The White Lotus in 15th place with 11.462 billion minutes viewed.

See the top 20 streaming programs ranking below: