# The most-watched TV broadcasts in US history (excluding the Super Bowl)

The M\*A\*S\*H finale, the Gulf War, the Clinton–Trump debate, Dallas's "who shot J.R.?" and the Seinfeld finale: the broadcasts with the largest average audience in American TV history outside the Super Bowl, according to Wikipedia.

- 10 votes · 10 items
- Oct 11, 2026 · larissa_serieviciada
- https://even.best/en/l/4980/the-most-watched-tv-broadcasts-in-us-history-excluding-the-super-bowl

## Top 10

1. **M\*A\*S\*H: "Goodbye, Farewell and Amen"** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — 106.0 million average viewers (CBS, February 28, 1983).
2. **Gulf War coverage** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — 85.6 million average viewers (multiple networks, January 16, 1991).
3. **First Clinton–Trump presidential debate** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — 84.0 million average viewers (multiple networks, September 26, 2016).
4. **Carter–Reagan presidential debate** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — 80.6 million average viewers (multiple networks, October 28, 1980).
5. **Cheers: "One for the Road" (series finale)** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — 80.5 million average viewers (NBC, May 20, 1993).
6. **The Day After** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — 77.4 million average viewers (ABC, November 20, 1983).
7. **Roots, part VIII** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — 76.7 million average viewers (ABC, January 30, 1977).
8. **Dallas: "Who Done It" (who shot J.R.?)** (-1 · ▲0 ▼1) — 83.6 million average viewers (CBS, November 21, 1980).
9. **1994 Winter Olympics ladies' figure skating** (-1 · ▲0 ▼1) — 78.8 million average viewers (CBS, February 23, 1994).
10. **Seinfeld: "The Finale"** (-1 · ▲0 ▼1) — 76.3 million average viewers (NBC, May 14, 1998).

How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.