Wikiwand AI

List of most watched television broadcasts in Canada

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The following is a list of most watched television broadcasts in Canada based on average viewership of the broadcasts. In recent years, the Super Bowl has frequently been the most-watched television broadcast of the year in Canada. The most-watched television broadcast in Canadian history was the gold medal game of the men's hockey tournament at the 2010 Winter Olympics, played between the United States and Canada in Vancouver, with an average minute audience of 16.6 million Canadians watching the game, roughly one-half of Canada's population in 2010.[1]

Criteria for inclusion

The lists below include programs that were broadcast in Canada, regardless of their country of origin. Where applicable, these lists also factor in simultaneous substitution of American programs airing on Canadian networks (such as The Big Bang Theory on CTV). These lists also aggregate the English and French language broadcasts of sports programming (such as Super Bowl LIV on CTV, TSN, RDS).

These lists do not combine the viewership of major events that have been individually covered by multiple Canadian broadcasters simultaneously (such as the September 11th attacks). Where applicable, sporting event pre-game and post-game shows (as identified in Numeris data) are also excluded entirely, as they benefit from the strong lead-in or lead-out of the live sports broadcast, and otherwise would not be aired. Viewership obtained through reruns is not combined into the figures for the original broadcast, as reruns are considered separate airings of the same program.

The viewership figures listed are based on live plus seven day average minute audience data from Numeris[2] (which includes DVR viewing up to seven days after broadcast). Peak audience and total reach figures are not listed. Since 2022, Numeris has limited public access to its data,[3][4] where available, additional publicly accessible sources may be listed for individual broadcasts. The viewership figures listed on these publicly available sources may differ slightly from the viewership listed here, as not all public disclosures of viewership data include French language simulcasts, not all are based on the final published live plus seven day averages, and some may only include preliminary data based on one day of viewing and instead of seven.

Legend

  •   Indicates broadcast from an Olympic Games.
  •   Indicates broadcast unrelated to sports.

Most watched broadcasts

The following is a list of the twenty most watched television broadcasts in Canada by average minute audience from at least 2024–2025, with primary audience measurement according to Numeris.[2]

Seven of the twenty most watched broadcasts took place during the 2010 Winter Olympics which were hosted by the Canadian city of Vancouver. During these Olympics, a new consortium was formed by some of Canada's major private broadcasting companies to simulcast many Olympic events. As such, many of the top twenty broadcasts listed below aired on multiple participating networks of the Olympic consortium, which is referred to as the National Olympic Network on Numeris ratings reports.

More information No., Show ...
No.ShowViewership (millions)DateNetwork(s)Ref.
1 2010 Winter Olympics: Men's hockey - gold medal game: Canada vs. United States 16.67 February 28, 2010 Canada's Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium [1][5]
2 2010 Winter Olympics closing ceremony 14.44 February 28, 2010 Canada's Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium [6][5]
3 2010 Winter Olympics opening ceremony 13.50 February 12, 2010 Canada's Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium [7][5]
4 2025 World Series – Game 7: LA Dodgers vs. Toronto 11.6 November 1, 2025 Sportsnet, TVA Sports, Citytv [8][9]
5 2010 Winter Olympics: Men's hockey – preliminary round game: Canada vs. United States 10.68 February 21, 2010 Canada's Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium [10][5]
6 2010 Winter Olympics: Men's hockey – quarterfinal game: Russia vs. Canada 10.56 February 24, 2010 Canada's Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium [10][5]
7 2002 Winter Olympics: Men's hockey – gold medal game:
United States vs. Canada
10.30 February 22, 2002 CBC, Radio-Canada [11]
8 2025 World Series – Game 6: LA Dodgers vs. Toronto 10.2 October 31, 2025 Sportsnet, Citytv, TVA Sports [12]
9 Super Bowl LVIII: San Francisco vs. Kansas City 10.1 February 11, 2024 CTV, TSN, RDS [13]
10 2010 Winter Olympics: Men's hockey – semifinal game: Canada vs. Slovakia 9.87 February 26, 2010 Canada's Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium [14][5]
11 2011 Stanley Cup Final – Game 7: Boston vs. Vancouver 9.69 June 15, 2011 CBC, RDS [15]
12 Super Bowl LIV: San Francisco vs. Kansas City 9.6 February 2, 2020 CTV, TSN, RDS [16][17]
13 Super Bowl XLIX: New England vs. Seattle 9.16 February 1, 2015 CTV, RDS [18][19]
14 Super Bowl LV: Kansas City vs. Tampa 8.92 February 7, 2021 CTV, TSN, RDS [20]
15 Super Bowl LVII: Kansas City vs. Philadelphia 8.7 February 12, 2023 CTV, TSN, RDS [21]
16 2026 Winter Olympics: Men's hockey - gold medal game:
United States vs. Canada
8.5 February 22, 2026 CBC Sports [22]
17 2014 Winter Olympics: Men's hockey - gold medal game:
Sweden vs. Canada
8.5 February 23, 2014 CBC Sports [23]
18 Super Bowl LIX: Kansas City vs. Philadelphia 8.4 February 9, 2025 CTV, TSN, RDS [24]
19 Super Bowl 50: Carolina vs. Denver 8.32 February 7, 2016 CTV, RDS [25][26]
20 Super Bowl XLVI: NY Giants vs. New England 8.178 February 5, 2012 CTV, RDS [27]
Close

Most watched television broadcasts by year

Each list below contains the top ten most watched television broadcasts in Canada within a calendar year, according to Numeris live plus seven day average minute audience measurement figures (which includes DVR viewing up to seven days after broadcast).[2]

2025

The following is a list of the most watched television broadcasts of 2025.

More information No., Show ...
Close

2024

The following is a list of the most watched television broadcasts of 2024.

More information No., Show ...
Close

2023

The following is a list of the most watched television broadcasts of 2023.

2022

The following is a list of the most watched television broadcasts of 2022.

More information No., Show ...
No. Show Viewership
(in millions)
Date Network(s)
1 Super Bowl LVI: Los Angeles Rams vs. Cincinnati 8.2 February 13, 2022 CTV, TSN, RDS
2 2022 FIFA World Cup Final: Argentina vs. France 4.8 December 18, 2022 CTV, TSN, RDS, Noovo
3 Bye Bye 2022 4.39 December 31, 2022 Ici Radio-Canada Télé
4 2022 FIFA World Cup Group Stage: Croatia vs. Canada 4.38 November 27, 2022 CTV, TSN, RDS
5 Stanley Cup Playoffs - Round 1 - Game 7: Tampa Bay vs. Toronto 4.1 May 14, 2022 CBC, Sportsnet, TVA Sports
6 2022 FIFA World Cup Group Stage: Belgium vs. Canada 3.73 November 23, 2022 CTV, TSN, RDS
7 Stanley Cup Playoffs - Round 1 - Game 6: Tampa Bay vs. Toronto 3.66 May 12, 2022 CBC, Sportsnet, TVA Sports
8 109th Grey Cup: Toronto vs. Winnipeg 3.35 November 20, 2022 TSN, RDS
9 94th Academy Awards 3.27 March 27, 2022 CTV
10 Infoman (New Years Eve special) 3.0 December 31, 2022 Ici Radio-Canada Télé
Close

2021

The following is a list of the most watched television broadcasts of 2021.

2020

The following is a list of the most watched television broadcasts of 2020.

More information No., Show ...
No. Show Viewership
(in millions)
Date Network(s)
1 Super Bowl LIV: San Francisco vs. Kansas City 9.6 February 2, 2020 CTV, TSN, RDS
2 Stronger Together, Tous Ensemble 5.9 [34][35] April 26, 2020 CTV, Global, CBC, Citytv, V, CTV 2, OMNI, NTV, and 37 discretionary services[36]
3 One World: Together at Home 5.1[37] April 18, 2020 CTV, Global, CBC, Citytv, CTV 2, and 7 discretionary services[38][39]
4 Bye Bye 2020 4.9[40][33] December 31, 2020 Ici Radio-Canada Télé
5 92nd Academy Awards 4.8 February 9, 2020 CTV
6 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship Gold Medal Game: Canada vs. Russia 4.2 January 5, 2020 TSN, RDS
7 Infoman (New Years Eve special) 3.6 December 31, 2020 Ici Radio-Canada Télé
8 The Good Doctor ("I Love You") (season finale) 3.03 March 30, 2020 CTV
9 77th Golden Globe Awards 3.01 January 5, 2020 CTV
10 NBA Conference Semifinals - Game 7: Toronto vs Boston 2.7 September 11, 2020 TSN, RDS
Close

2019

The following is a list of the most watched television broadcasts of 2019.

More information No., Show ...
No. Show Viewership
(in millions)
Date Network(s)
1 NBA Finals - Game 6: Toronto vs. Golden State 7.9[41] June 13, 2019 TSN, CTV1, RDS
2 NBA Finals - Game 5: Toronto vs. Golden State 6.4[42] June 10, 2019 Sportsnet, Citytv1, RDS
3 The Big Bang Theory ("The Change Constant"/"The Stockholm Syndrome") (series finale) 5.8 May 16, 2019 CTV
4 Super Bowl LIII: New England vs. Los Angeles Rams 5.3[43][notes 1] February 3, 2019 CTV, CTV2, TSN, RDS
5 91st Academy Awards 5.2[44] February 24, 2019 CTV
6 NBA Finals - Game 4: Toronto vs. Golden State 4.7[42] June 7, 2019 TSN, CTV 2, RDS
7 Bye Bye 2019 4.5 December 31, 2019 Ici Radio-Canada Télé
8 Stanley Cup Final - Game 7: St. Louis vs. Boston 4.2 June 12, 2019 CBC, Sportsnet, TVA Sports
9 NBA Finals - Game 3: Toronto vs. Golden State 4.0 June 5, 2019 Sportsnet, Citytv, RDS
10 107th Grey Cup: Hamilton vs. Winnipeg 3.9[45] November 24, 2019 TSN, RDS
Close

1CTV & Citytv simultaneously substituted ABC's coverage of the games, while TSN, Sportsnet, and RDS aired the Canadian produced broadcasts.

2018

The following is a list of the most watched television broadcasts of 2018.

More information No., Show ...
Close

2017

The following is a list of the most watched television broadcasts of 2017.

More information No., Show ...
No. Show Viewership
(in millions)
Date Network(s)
1 89th Academy Awards 5.80 February 26, 2017 CTV
2 Super Bowl LI: New England vs. Atlanta 5.5 [notes 1] February 5, 2017 CTV, CTV2, TSN, RDS
3 Stanley Cup Playoffs - Eastern Conference Final - Game 7: Ottawa vs. Pittsburgh 5.2[51] May 25, 2017 Sportsnet, CBC, TVA Sports
4 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship Gold Medal Game: Canada vs. USA 4.8 January 5, 2017 TSN, RDS
5 105th Grey Cup: Toronto vs. Calgary 4.3[52] November 26, 2017 TSN, RDS
6 Bye Bye 2017 4.1 December 31, 2017 Ici Radio-Canada Télé
7 The Big Bang Theory ("The Comic-Con Condundrum") 3.977 February 23, 2017 CTV
8 The Big Bang Theory ("The Holiday Summation") 3.976 January 5, 2017 CTV
9 Stanley Cup Playoffs - First Round - Game 2: Toronto vs. Washington 3.94 April 15, 2017 CBC, TVA Sports
10 The Big Bang Theory ("The Locomotion Reverberation") 3.9 February 9, 2017 CTV
Close

2016

The following is a list of the most watched television broadcasts of 2016.[53]

More information No., Show ...
No. Show Viewership
(in millions)
Date Network(s)
1 Super Bowl 50: Carolina vs. Denver 8.3 February 7, 2016 CTV, RDS
2 2016 Summer Olympics: Men's 100 metres final 6.9[54] August 14, 2016 CBC consortium, Ici Radio-Canada Télé
3 88th Academy Awards 5.7 February 28, 2016 CTV
4 2016 American League Division Series: Game 3 - Toronto vs. Texas 5.0 October 9, 2016 Sportsnet, TVAS
5 The Big Bang Theory ("The Sales Call Sublimation") 4.6 January 7, 2016 CTV
6 The Big Bang Theory ("The Empathy Optimization") 4.5 January 14, 2016 CTV
7 The Big Bang Theory ("The Meemaw Materialization") 4.4 February 4, 2016 CTV
8 The Tragically Hip: A National Celebration (farewell concert) 4.3 August 20, 2016 CBC
9 The Big Bang Theory ("The Valentino Submergence") 4.27 February 11, 2016 CTV
10 The Big Bang Theory ("The Celebration Experimentation") 4.26 February 25, 2016 CTV
Close

2015

The following is a list of the ten most watched television broadcasts of 2015.[18]

More information No., Show ...
No. Show Viewership
(in millions)
Date Network(s)
1 Super Bowl XLIX: New England vs. Seattle 9.2 February 1, 2015 CTV, RDS
2 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship gold medal game: Canada vs. Russia 7.0 January 5, 2015 TSN, RDS
3 87th Academy Awards 5.5 February 22, 2015 CTV
4 2015 American League Championship Series: Game 6 - Toronto vs. Kansas City 5.3 October 23, 2015 Sportsnet, RDS2, RDS1
5 2015 American League Division Series: Game 5 - Toronto vs. Texas 5.3 October 14, 2015 Sportsnet, RDS
6 The Big Bang Theory ("The Opening Night Excitation") 5.1 December 17, 2015 CTV
7 The Big Bang Theory ("The Colonization Application") 4.5 March 5, 2015 CTV
8 2015 American League Division Series: Game 4 - Toronto vs. Texas 4.45 October 12, 2015 Sportsnet, RDS
9 The Big Bang Theory ("The Anxiety Optimization") 4.36 January 29, 2015 CTV
10 103rd Grey Cup: Ottawa vs. Edmonton 4.29[55] November 29, 2015 TSN, RDS
Close

1RDS joined the broadcast in-progress at 9:45 PM.

2014

The following is a list of the ten most watched television broadcasts of 2014.

2013

The following is a list of the ten most watched television broadcasts of 2013.[56]

More information No., Show ...
No. Show Viewership
(in millions)
Date Network(s)
1 Super Bowl XLVII Baltimore vs. San Francisco 7.3 February 3, 2013 CTV, RDS
2 85th Academy Awards 6.3 February 24, 2013 CTV
3 Stanley Cup round 1 - Game 7: Toronto vs. Boston 5.7 May 13, 2013 CBC, RDS
4 The Big Bang Theory ("The Deception Verification") 5.3 September 26, 2013 CTV
5 The Big Bang Theory ("The Hofstadter Insufficiency") 5.1 September 26, 2013 CTV
6 Stanley Cup round 1 - Game 6: Toronto vs. Boston 4.89 May 12, 2013 CBC, RDS
7 The Big Bang Theory ("The Bakersfield Expedition") 4.85 January 10, 2013 CTV
8 101st Grey Cup: Hamilton vs. Saskatchewan 4.5 November 24, 2013 TSN, RDS
9 The Big Bang Theory ("The Thanksgiving Decoupling") 4.72 November 21, 2013 CTV
10 The Big Bang Theory ("The Egg Salad Equivalency") 4.69 January 3, 2013 CTV
Close

2012

The following is a list of the ten most watched television broadcasts of 2012.[27][57]

More information No., Show ...
Close

2011

The following is a list of the ten most watched television broadcasts of 2011.[15]

More information No., Show ...
No. Show Viewership
(in millions)
Date Network(s)
1 Stanley Cup Final – Game 7: Boston vs. Vancouver 9.7 June 15, 2011 CBC, RDS
2 Stanley Cup Final – Game 6: Boston vs. Vancouver 7.5 June 13, 2011 CBC, RDS
3 Super Bowl XLV: Pittsburgh vs. Green Bay 7.3 February 6, 2011 CTV, RDS
4 Stanley Cup Final – Game 5: Boston vs. Vancouver 6.8 June 10, 2011 CBC, RDS
5 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship Gold Medal Game Russia vs. Canada 6.7 January 5, 2011 TSN, RDS
6 Stanley Cup Final – Game 2: Boston vs. Vancouver 6.3 June 4, 2011 CBC, RDS
7 83rd Academy Awards 6.28 February 27, 2011 CTV
8 Stanley Cup Final – Game 1: Boston vs. Vancouver 6.24 June 1, 2011 CBC, RDS
9 Stanley Cup Final – Game 3: Boston vs. Vancouver 6.1 June 6, 2011 CBC, RDS
10 Stanley Cup Final – Game 4: Boston vs. Vancouver 5.8 June 8, 2011 CBC, RDS
Close

2010

The Canadian city of Vancouver hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics, which was highly watched among Canadians on the participating networks of Canada's Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium.[14] The consortium was formed specifically for the 2010 and 2012 Olympic Games, with primary coverage appearing on CTV and V, in English and French respectively. Many of the top broadcasts in Canadian history occurred during these Olympics, as such the top broadcasts from 2010 are broken down into three lists: overall, Olympics, and non-Olympics.

Top 10 most watched television broadcasts of 2010

Top 10 most watched television broadcasts of the 2010 Winter Olympics

More information No., Show ...
Close

Top 10 most watched television broadcasts of 2010, excluding broadcasts from the 2010 Winter Olympics

More information No., Show ...
No. Show Viewership
(in millions)
Date Network(s)
1 Super Bowl XLIV: New Orleans vs. Indianapolis 6.92 February 7, 2010 CTV, RDS
2 Stanley Cup round 2 – Game 7: Montreal vs. Pittsburgh 6.90 May 12, 2010 CBC, RDS
3 82nd Academy Awards 6.2 March 7, 2010 CTV
4 98th Grey Cup: Montreal vs. Saskatchewan 6.2 November 28, 2010 TSN, RDS
5 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship Gold Medal Game: Canada vs. USA 5.8 January 5, 2010 TSN, RDS
6 2010 FIFA World Cup Final: Netherlands vs. Spain 5.5 July 11, 2010 CBC, Ici Radio-Canada Télé
7 Stanley Cup round 2 – Game 6: Montreal vs. Pittsburgh 5.1 May 10, 2010 CBC, RDS
8 Stanley Cup Final – Game 6: Chicago vs. Philadelphia 5.1 June 9, 2010 CBC, RDS
9 Stanley Cup round 3 – Game 3: Montreal vs. Philadelphia 4.9 May 10, 2010 CBC, RDS
10 Stanley Cup round 1 – Game 7: Washington vs. Montreal 4.9 May 10, 2010 TSN, RDS
Close

2009 & Earlier


Notes

  1. From 2017-2019, Bell Media's CTV was not permitted to perform simultaneous substitution for the Super Bowl as per a 2015 CRTC regulatory policy.[48] Therefore, figures shown in these years only include viewership from Bell Media properties and do not include Canadian viewership of the American broadcast affiliates of Fox, NBC, or CBS, as US affiliate viewership is not included in CTV's average by Numeris. This process was overturned by the Supreme Court of Canada ahead of Super Bowl LIV in 2020.[49][50]

References

Related Articles

Timelines

Top Qs

Fact Checks