Is Friends the most watched show ever?

Is Friends the most watched show ever?
Friends main cast (Source: Netflix)


Friends isn't the most watched program. The Apollo 11 moon landing with 120-150 million viewers stands as the most-watched TV program in the world so far. Nonetheless, Friends has seen a rise in popularity in recent times. People are still watching and relating to the show, according to Marta Kauffman, who co-created the show with David Crane.


During its time on air, it received high ratings and became one of the most-watched television programs ever. In the final television season ratings, the show placed in the top 10; in its eighth season, it even topped the charts.


Friends was created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman. It aired on NBC from September 22, 1994, to May 6, 2004, lasting for 10 seasons with 236 episodes. The program revolves around six friends in their 20s and early 30s who reside in Manhattan, New York City, and stars Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer. The initial executive producers were Crane, Kauffman, and Kevin S. Bright.


Which episode of Friends has the highest viewership?

With 52.9 million people watching after the Super Bowl, "The One After the Superbowl" is the most-watched episode in Friends' history. The episode was the highest-rated episode of any show (scripted or not) to debut following the Super Bowl, with a 29.5 Nielsen rating and a 47 percent viewer share. For thirty seconds of commercial time, "The One After the Super Bowl" averaged $600,000. At the time, this was among the highest sitcom advertising rates ever.


Approximately 52.5 million Americans watched the May 6, 2004, series finale, which was the most-watched television episode of the 2000s and the fifth most-watched series finale in television history.


Read More: where was friends filmed


Is Friends the most successful sitcom?


Yes, Friends is one of the most successful sitcoms of all time. Its constant ranking among the most-watched and binge-watched series, even though its streaming success wasn't gauged by traditional TV ratings, confirmed its continuing appeal and cemented its status as a cultural icon. However, it may not have garnered the success it did if the show had continued any longer. At present, there are several other shows, such as Seinfeld, The Simpsons, The Office, etc., which are argued to be more successful than Friends.


Why did Friends stop after 10 seasons?


Friends ended on May 6, 2004. It ran for 10 seasons starting its pilot episode on September 22, 1994. When the final episode of the popular NBC series Friends, titled "The Last One," aired on May 6, 2004, the last words were spoken by Chandler, played by the late Matthew Perry.


According to Perry, the cast members were prepared for the sitcom to end after ten seasons. "To begin with," he wrote, "Jennifer Aniston had made the decision that she no longer wanted to perform on the show, and since we all made decisions together, that meant we all had to stop.


The series finale concludes with several long-running stories. Monica Geller (Courteney Cox) and Chandler Bing (Matthew Perry) adopt twins and relocate to the suburbs when Ross Geller (David Schwimmer) professes his love for Rachel Green (Jennifer Aniston) and they decide to get back together. In the last scene of the episode, everyone goes for a final cup of coffee together after leaving Monica and Chandler's apartment for the last time.



FAQs on Friends

  1. Friends is still a popular show and a reliable performer on Netflix. With an average of 25 million viewers per week at its height, it was the highest-rated comedy on television for six consecutive years.


  1. According to Perry, the cast members were prepared for the sitcom to end after ten seasons. 


  1.  Overall, the show/cast garnered 65 awards and 256 nominations throughout its run and few after the sitcom’s conclusion. 


Related Stories

A Nonsense Christmas: Release date, what it is about, cast and more about the upcoming Sabrina Carpenter Netflix special A Nonsense Christmas: Release date, what it is about, cast and more about the upcoming Sabrina Carpenter Netflix special
A Nonsense Christmas: Release date, what it is about, cast and more about the upcoming Sabrina Carpenter Netflix special
2d
"Awful"— Jeopardy! fans react to the show's recent "very poor" clue "Awful"— Jeopardy! fans react to the show's recent "very poor" clue
"Awful"— Jeopardy! fans react to the show's recent "very poor" clue
1d
"Like casting a black guy as Bruce Lee": Marvel casting female actress as Silver Surfer gets massive backlash "Like casting a black guy as Bruce Lee": Marvel casting female actress as Silver Surfer gets massive backlash
"Like casting a black guy as Bruce Lee": Marvel casting female actress as Silver Surfer gets massive backlash
1d
Superman & Lois Season 4 Episode 8 recap: Who does Tom Cavanagh play? Superman & Lois Season 4 Episode 8 recap: Who does Tom Cavanagh play?
Superman & Lois Season 4 Episode 8 recap: Who does Tom Cavanagh play? 
2d
What happened to Carver's new found dog in the Chicago Fire Season 13 finale? Explained What happened to Carver's new found dog in the Chicago Fire Season 13 finale? Explained
What happened to Carver's new found dog in the Chicago Fire Season 13 finale? Explained
1h
Is A Good Girl's Guide to Murder coming back for Season 2? Details explored Is A Good Girl's Guide to Murder coming back for Season 2? Details explored
Is A Good Girl's Guide to Murder coming back for Season 2? Details explored
3h
Jeopardy! November 18, 2024 — Winner, clues, and more Jeopardy! November 18, 2024 — Winner, clues, and more
Jeopardy! November 18, 2024 — Winner, clues, and more
2d
All real-life serial killer references by The Fanboy Killer on Cross Season 1, explored All real-life serial killer references by The Fanboy Killer on Cross Season 1, explored
All real-life serial killer references by The Fanboy Killer on Cross Season 1, explored
1d
Did Milhouse voice actor Pamela Hayden retire from The Simpsons? Explored Did Milhouse voice actor Pamela Hayden retire from The Simpsons? Explored
Did Milhouse voice actor Pamela Hayden retire from The Simpsons? Explored
6h
FBI: International Season 4 Episode 5 recap: Can the Fly team track down the mastermind behind the Warsaw kidnapping? FBI: International Season 4 Episode 5 recap: Can the Fly team track down the mastermind behind the Warsaw kidnapping?
FBI: International Season 4 Episode 5 recap: Can the Fly team track down the mastermind behind the Warsaw kidnapping?
20h