Virus Outbreak Gives TV Ratings a Boost

While the coronavirus pandemic is ravaging the economy left and right, it is also helping one already ailing industry – linear TV. Nielsen ratings of the most popular weekly network television shows show a slow but steady improvement in ratings as more and more people hunker down at home.

News program 60 minutes had the biggest increase in viewership, showing that the quarantined public is hungry for information. But entertainment could also boost its ratings, with comedy show Young Sheldon being the program with the most viewers over the three weeks of Feb 24, March 2 and March 9 (the first week showing a rerun). The ranking disregards reality TV shows that either premiered (The Voice) or wrapped up (The Bachelor) during the time frame. Other shows which grew their viewership were sing-off shows American Idol and The Masked Singer as well as police action drama Hawaii Five-0.