Best Network TV Shows Of 2026: The Surprising Winners
- 01. Best Network TV Shows: The Definitive Guide to 2025's Top Broadcast Series
- 02. Top 10 Best Network TV Shows of 2025, Ranked
- 03. Network Ratings Performance in 2025
- 04. Shows That Changed How We Watch Television
- 05. The Sopranos (1999, HBO)
- 06. Saturday Night Live (1975, NBC)
- 07. Sesame Street (1969, PBS/NET)
- 08. Lost (2004-2010, ABC)
- 09. Grey's Anatomy (2005-Present, ABC)
- 10. Why Network TV Remains Relevant in 2025
- 11. Key Shows by Network
Best Network TV Shows: The Definitive Guide to 2025's Top Broadcast Series
The best network TV shows in 2025 are Will Trent (ABC), High Potential (ABC), Matlock (CBS), Abbott Elementary (ABC), and Ghosts (CBS), according to industry rankings from TVLine and ScreenRant. These broadcast series dominate with strong ratings, critical acclaim, and innovative storytelling that proves network television remains vital despite streaming competition. Will Trent leads as ABC's ratings winner with its stylized police procedural approach, while Matlock became one of 2024's most successful debuts with its quasi-reboot format.
Top 10 Best Network TV Shows of 2025, Ranked
Industry experts have compiled definitive rankings based on critical reception, viewership data, and cultural impact across ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox networks. The following ranking reflects consensus from major entertainment publications covering the 2025 television season.
- Will Trent (ABC) - Stylized police procedural with character-driven storytelling
- High Potential (ABC) - Crime comedy with Kaitlin Olson as LAPD consultant
- Matlock (CBS) - Quasi-reboot with game-changing twist in season 1
- NCIS (CBS) - Season 23 finds solid ground after Mark Harmon departure
- Ghosts (CBS) - Five seasons strong with expanded Woodstone Mansion lore
- Brilliant Minds (NBC) - Neurological cases with Zachary Quinto
- Law & Order: SVU (NBC) - Longest-running scripted show, season 27 stabilizes ensemble
- Abbott Elementary (ABC) - Premier network comedy tackling education with heart
- Murder in a Small Town (Fox) - Cozier police procedural with intimate community setting
- Found (NBC) - Procedural with dysfunctional crisis manager relationship
Network Ratings Performance in 2025
Understanding which networks dominate helps identify where the best content resides. CBS leads in total viewers while Fox dominates the key 18-49 demographic.
| Rank | Network | Total Viewers (000) | % Change | 18-49 Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CBS | 4,443 | -12% | 5 |
| 2 | NBC | 4,243 | -15% | 3 |
| 3 | ABC | 4,042 | +5% | 2 |
| 4 | Fox | 3,137 | +10% | 1 |
| 5 | Fox News | 2,759 | +12% | - |
Data shows ABC's +5% growth contradicts the narrative of network decline, driven by strong scripted performance. NBC's anticipated 2025-26 total viewership crown comes from "legendary February" sports programming including the Super LX and NBA All-Star Game.
Shows That Changed How We Watch Television
Certain network television series fundamentally transformed viewing habits, narrative structures, and industry economics. These shows created lasting cultural impact beyond their original run.
The Sopranos (1999, HBO)
When The Sopranos debuted in 1999, it fundamentally altered television's landscape by introducing the antihero protagonist. Tony Soprano wasn't just a mob boss-he was a troubled family man whose on-screen murder in Season 1's "College" episode was groundbreaking for television. The program ushered in the TV antihero trend that defined prestige television for two decades.
Saturday Night Live (1975, NBC)
Saturday Night Live premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, forever changing late-night television. Hosted by comedy legends including John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Dan Aykroyd, and Chevy Chase, it grew into one of the most influential and longest-running comedy programs in television history. The show's live format from Studio 8H in Rockefeller Center established the template for modern sketch comedy.
Sesame Street (1969, PBS/NET)
Sesame Street debuted on November 10, 1969, revolutionizing children's television with its groundbreaking educational approach. Created to help disadvantaged children learn numbers, alphabet, and important skills before kindergarten, it was rooted in research on effective education methods. The program proved television could teach children systematically, establishing the Children's Television Workshop model.
Lost (2004-2010, ABC)
In 2004, ABC unveiled Lost, a mystery infused with science fiction that significantly transformed the television landscape. The show sparked the "novelization of television" with its complex serialized storytelling and enigmatic numbers. ABC committed to 48 episodes over three seasons to wrap the narrative, changing how networks approached long-form mystery. All 121 episodes over six seasons are now available on Netflix for binge-watching.
Grey's Anatomy (2005-Present, ABC)
Debuting as a mid-season replacement two decades ago on ABC, Grey's Anatomy remains the longest-running scripted primetime show currently airing on ABC. The medical drama's 20-year run demonstrates network television's enduring capacity for sustained character development and workplace storytelling.
Why Network TV Remains Relevant in 2025
Despite streaming dominance, network television maintains unique advantages through accessible procedural formats, live events, and consistent weekly releases. Shows like Abbott Elementary prove network comedies can tackle real-world education stories with levity and heart while reaching broad audiences.
Network procedurals have evolved beyond simple premises. NBC's Found injects new life to crime fare through dysfunctional relationships between crisis manager Gabi Mosely and her captor. Murder in a Small Town changes the formula by making settings cozier without watering down storytelling, allowing killers to be community members.
"Network TV shows like Abbott Elementary, Dark Winds, Resident Alien, and High Potential are still offering fresh, engaging content that blends humor, drama, and unique storytelling"
Thisquote from industry analysis highlights how broadcast series provide mix of entertainment worth watching from mockumentaries about teachers to crime thrillers with cultural depth.
Key Shows by Network
- ABC: Will Trent, High Potential, Abbott Elementary, 9-1-1, Grey's Anatomy, The Rookie, Shark Tank
- CBS: Matlock, NCIS, Ghosts, Elsbeth, Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage
- NBC: Brilliant Minds, Law & Order: SVU, Chicago Med, Found, St. Denis Medical
- Fox: Murder in a Small Town, Bob's Burgers, American Dad!
Key concerns and solutions for Best Network Tv Shows Of 2026 The Surprising Winners
What makes Will Trent the best network show of 2025?
Will Trent prioritizes character over case-of-the-week mechanics, anchored by Ramón Rodríguez's deeply human performance. The Karin Slaughter adaptation built a reputation across three seasons for emotional consequences and broadcast TV's strongest ensemble cast.
How many seasons has Abbott Elementary run?
Abbott Elementary is in its fifth season in 2025, remaining network TV's premier comedy created by Quinta Brunson. The show continues elevating aspects like filming an episode at a live baseball game and relocating to an abandoned mall.
Is Law & Order: SVU still running?
Yes, Law & Order: SVU is in season 27 as the longest-running scripted show on TV, with Mariska Hargitay leading quality procedural storytelling. The ensemble finally stabilized after years of reshuffling.
What happened to CBS's ratings dominance?
For the first time since 2007-08, CBS will not be number one in total viewers for 2025-26, with NBC expected to secure the top spot due to "legendary February" sports programming. CBS celebrated 22 seasons of leading average total primetime viewership in the past 24 years before this shift.
Why is Matlock considered a successful reboot?
Matlock's season 1 game-changing twist effectively squashed skepticism about rebooting Andy Griffith's beloved classic, becoming one of 2024's most successful debuts alongside High Potential. Season 2 takes the story on unexpected twists while tying weekly cases with overarching plot.
