A new crime thriller on Netflix has surpassed Taylor Sheridan’s popular Western shows to become the most-watched program of 2026.
Taylor Sheridan is the creative force behind the hit series Yellowstone, its prequel stories 1883 and 1923, and is an executive producer on Marshals and the upcoming Dutton Ranch. He’s also developed several shows for Paramount+, including Mayor of Kingstown, Tulsa King, Lioness, Landman, and The Madison. Meanwhile, Netflix is preparing a strong lineup for 2026, with popular shows like His & Hers, season 4 of Bridgerton, season 4 of The Lincoln Lawyer, and numerous other titles.
According to Nielsen’s recent data reported by Variety, the most popular show of 2026 so far is His & Hers, averaging 25.6 million viewers in its first 35 days. Close behind is Marshals, the first show from Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone world to air on CBS, which averaged 25.2 million viewers when it first launched.
Taylor Sheridan continues to dominate the charts! His show Landman on Paramount+ attracted 19.9 million viewers, making it one of the most-watched programs this year. New seasons of Netflix’s Bridgerton and The Lincoln Lawyer also performed well, and Sheridan’s The Madison landed at number 10 with 10.9 million viewers. Here’s a look at the top 20 shows of 2026 so far, according to Nielsen’s data.
Linear and Streaming Total Viewers, Year to Date (Jan. 1, 2026 to March 15, 2026)
| Rank | Title (Network/SVOD) | 35-day Multiplatform viewers |
| 1. | His & Hers (Netflix) | 25.60 million |
| 2. | Marshals (CBS/ Paramount+) | 25.24 million |
| 3. | Landman (Paramount+) | 19.94 million |
| 4. | Bridgerton (Netflix) | 18.31 million |
| 5. | Tracker (CBS/ Paramount+) | 17.01 million |
| 6. | High Potential (ABC/ Hulu) | 16.14 million |
| 7. | The Pitt (HBO Max) | 13.45 million |
| 8. | Fallout (Prime Video) | 12.22 million |
| 9. | The Lincoln Lawyer (Netflix) | 11.37 million |
| 10. | The Madison (Paramount+) | 10.90 million |
| 11. | The Rookie (ABC/ Hulu) | 10.85 million |
| 12. | Will Trent (ABC/ Hulu) | 10.54 million |
| 13. | Sheriff Country (CBS/ Paramount+) | 10.50 million |
| 14. | Ghosts (CBS/ Paramount+) | 10.34 million |
| 15. | Matlock (CBS/ Paramount+) | 10.22 million |
| 16. | CIA (CBS/ Paramount+) | 10.16 million |
| 17. | Chicago Fire (NBC/ Peacock) | 9.95 million |
| 18. | Survivor (CBS/ Paramount+) | 9.94 million |
| 19. | Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage (CBS/ Paramount+) | 9.91 million |
| 20. | A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (HBO/ HBO Max) | 9.76 million |
Even though it’s still early in the year, Netflix’s His & Hers is currently the most popular series of 2026, based on viewership from the first few months. The competition is close, with His & Hers only slightly ahead of Marshals. While CBS and Paramount+ have several shows performing well, Netflix overall has the most popular series, and shows created by Taylor Sheridan consistently attract viewers across different streaming platforms.
During Disney’s presentation on Tuesday, ABC announced its most popular shows so far this season among adults aged 18-49. High Potential was the highest-rated show overall. When looking at ratings across all platforms (not including sports), ABC has four of the top five shows in this key demographic, including the leading drama High Potential, the top comedy Abbott Elementary, and the most popular alternative series Dancing with the Stars.
Here are the 20 most-watched entertainment series on broadcast television, measured from September 14, 2025, to April 19, 2026, among adults aged 18-49.
| Rank | Title (Network) | 18-49 rating |
| 1. | High Potential (ABC) | 2.27 |
| 2. | Marshals (CBS) | 2.18 |
| 3. | Dancing With the Stars (ABC) | 2.09 |
| 4. | The Rookie (ABC) | 1.93 |
| 5. | Abbott Elementary (ABC) | 1.76 |
| 6. | Scrubs (ABC) | 1.75 |
| 7. | Survivor (CBS) | 1.64 |
| 8. | Tracker (CBS) | 1.37 |
| 9. | 9-1-1 (ABC) | 1.34 |
| 10. | Ghosts (CBS) | 1.34 |
| 11. | Fear Factor: House of Fear (Fox) | 1.22 |
| 12. | Grey’s Anatomy (ABC) | 1.20 |
| 13. | Law & Order: SVU (NBC) | 1.11 |
| 14. | 9-1-1 Nashville (ABC) | 1.07 |
| 15. | Bob’s Burgers (Fox) | 1.06 |
| 16. | Will Trent (ABC) | 1.04 |
| 17. | Shifting Gears (ABC) | 1.01 |
| 18. | Family Guy (Sun. 9:30) (Fox) | 1.00 |
| 19. | Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage (CBS) | 0.99 |
| 20. | Family Guy (Fox) | 0.94 |
This chart also highlights how close the top shows are in viewership – only a few hundred thousand viewers separate the number one and two programs. CBS strategically places several shows in the middle rankings, including Marshals on traditional TV and Landman on Paramount+. While Netflix’s His & Hers remains the most popular single show, its lead isn’t overwhelming, and network television is proving surprisingly resilient.
Read More
- Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Review – The Kids Are Just Okay in Gaia Violo’s School-Set Comedy-Drama
- The Boys Series Finale Officially Arrives Early (With a Twist)
- Scrubs Revival Season 2: Release Date, Story, & Everything We Know
- Mortal Kombat II Scores Fresh Rotten Tomatoes Score In Franhise First
- Top 5 Must-Watch Paramount+ Shows This Week: May 4–8, 2026
- Star Wars Needs Episode 10 More Than It Ever Needed Episode 7
- 27 Years Ago, Pokémon Snap Was a Non-Violent First-Person Shooter
- Alan Ritchson’s Action-Packed Revenge Movie Revealed In Motor City Trailer
- Dazed and Confused Remains the Best R-Rated Comedy Of All Time
- M. Night Shyamalan’s The Village Deserves a Second Chance
2026-05-12 22:56