The 50 most-watched TV series finales of all time

The article examines which finales drew the largest audiences and how Nielsen ratings shape rankings. Stacker’s top 50 finales list uses Nielsen Ratings through October 2022, with air dates, viewership, ratings and shares. In 2026, some finales were praised, while Euphoria and Outlander drew mixed or negative reactions. Because many finales are streaming, overall viewership is harder to measure than in the pre‑streaming era. The piece discusses how the shift to on‑demand complicates cross‑show comparisons while fans still seek closure. It also provides context by listing air dates, audience figures, ratings and market share.