The Top 10 TV Shows of 2025

What stands out about television in 2025 is not just the adrenaline of gripping thrillers,but the sense of unease that permeated screens nationwide. When The Late Show abruptlyannounced its conclusion and Jimmy Kimmel was taken off the air in an overnight decisiontied to an antagonistic president, entertainment became a stark reflection of public tension.These shocks hit hardest because latenight programming has traditionally offered comfort,not crisis.

The disruption didnt end there. The merger between Paramount and Skydance, approveddespite strong opposition, resulted in the loss of 1,000 employees, with another significantwave of layoffs still projected. Meanwhile, Netflixs expected acquisition of Warner Bros.raises concerns about further job cuts and the possible erosion of HBOs signature creativestandards, placing the future of global television at risk.

And yet, despite a year overshadowed by consolidation and political interference, televisionstill sparked something far stronger than dread: defiance. Stephen Colbert remained a nightlyforce, Kimmel returned, and scripted storytelling ignited a wave of fictional resistance.From the uprising simmering in Severance and Andor to Lee Raybons relentless pursuitof truth in The Lowdown, characters pushed back with striking resolve.

Marshall Cuso challenged a broken healthcare system in Common Side Effects, Carol Sturkadefended messy humanity in Pluribus, and in The Chair Company, Ron Trosper demandedjustice with unforgettable volume. These stories persisted more vividly than the corporate andpolitical maneuvers threatening to silence them, offering a reminder that creation itselfremains an act of rebellion.

As the year closes, televisions message is clear: fear may dominate the news cycle, butaudiences will remember the fight, the courage, and the refusal to surrender. With thatspirit, 2026 arrives carrying not only uncertainty, but a renewed insistence on hope.

The 10 Best TV Shows of 2025

A definitive ranking of the standout series that shaped a challenging, electric, andunforgettable year in television.

Author: Noah Whitman