Last week, the strike-shortened seasons for NBC’s One Chicago franchise came to an end. The trio of dramas, Chicago P.D., Chicago Fire and Chicago Med each aired 13 episodes, nine short of the usual network order of 22.
The good news is, according to Variety which just released the top 100 shows of 2023- 2024, each series has continued to captivate audiences, maintaining its stronghold among the top TV shows for the 2023-24 season. Chicago P.D., Chicago Fire, and Chicago Med—remain pivotal in NBC’s lineup, demonstrating resilience and popularity in an ever-evolving television landscape.
Winners
Chicago Fire
Chicago Fire, the anchor of the franchise, has once again proven its dominance. The series, chronicling the lives of firefighters and paramedics at Firehouse 51, ranked 8th in total viewers with 8.79 million.
Among adults 18-49, it secured a spot in the top 15, emphasizing its broad appeal across demographics. The series’ compelling storylines and character-driven plots continue to resonate, making it one of the network’s most reliable performers.
Chicago P.D.
Chicago P.D., focusing on the Intelligence Unit of the 21st District, also held its ground, finishing 13th in total viewers with 7.96 million. In the coveted adults 18-49 demo, it tied for 8th place, demonstrating its significant pull with younger audiences.
The show’s gritty portrayal of police work and its timely narratives around law enforcement have kept it both relevant and engaging.
Chicago Med
Chicago Med, which delves into the high-stakes world of the city’s most explosive hospital, also performed admirably, placing 12th in total viewers with 8.20 million. It ranked within the top 20 for adults 18-49, proving its appeal extends beyond just medical drama enthusiasts.
The series’ mix of medical cases and personal dramas has ensured its steady viewership.
Challenges
Competition and Cancellations
While the One Chicago series thrived, other shows faced challenges. NCIS: Hawai’i, despite a strong showing at 16th in total viewers, was canceled by CBS. This highlights the competitive nature of network TV, where even successful shows aren’t guaranteed longevity.
Basic Cable’s Decline
Basic cable saw a significant drop in viewership, with only Hallmark’s When Calls the Heart making the top 100 scripted shows list. This trend underscores the shift towards network television and streaming platforms, where franchises like One Chicago continue to succeed.
Paramount Network’s Struggles
Without the juggernaut that is Yellowstone, which only aired repeats, Paramount Network experienced a sharp decline, plummeting 48% in viewership. This shift highlights the importance of flagship series in maintaining network stability.
Overall Trends
The TV landscape of 2023-24 was marked by a mix of sports dominance and entertainment resilience. NFL games unsurprisingly topped the charts, with NBC’s Sunday Night Football leading the pack. Yet, scripted series like those in the One Chicago franchise showed that strong storytelling and character development can still draw substantial audiences.
NBC’s strategy of nurturing interconnected series has paid off, with the franchise exemplifying the network’s success in creating engaging, long-running dramas. As the television industry continues to evolve, the enduring popularity of Chicago P.D., Chicago Fire, and Chicago Med suggests that well-crafted, character-driven stories will always have a place on the screen.
The Top 100 Shows of 2023-24, Total Viewers
- NFL Sunday Night Football (NBC) – 19.84 million
- NFL Monday Night Football on ABC (ABC) – 11.99 million
- NFL Thursday Night Football (Amazon Prime) – 11.97 million
- Tracker (CBS) – 10.80 million
- NCIS (CBS) – 9.66 million
- Young Sheldon (CBS) – 9.10 million
- FBI (CBS) – 8.96 million
- Chicago Fire (NBC) – 8.79 million
- Blue Bloods (CBS) – 8.45 million
- 60 Minutes (CBS) – 8.27 million
- Ghosts (CBS) – 8.21 million
- Chicago Med (NBC) – 8.20 million
- Chicago P.D. (NBC) – 7.96 million
- NFL Monday Night Football on ESPN (ESPN) – 7.92 million
- The Equalizer (CBS) – 7.90 million
The Top-Rated Series of 2023-24, Adults 18-49
- NFL Sunday Night Football (NBC) – 5.2/43 (6.85 million)
- NFL Thursday Night Football (Amazon Prime) – 4.2/39 (5.54 million)
- NFL Monday Night Football on ESPN (ESPN) – 2.6/23 (3.42 million) NFL Monday Night Football on ABC (ABC) – 2.6/23 (3.39 million)
- Survivor (CBS) – 1.1/12 (1.40 million)
- Saturday Night Football (ABC) – 1.0/11 (1.35 million) NBA Saturday Primetime (ABC) – 1.0/13 (1.30 million)
- 9-1-1 (ABC) – 0.8/10 (1.12 million) Chicago P.D. (NBC) – 0.8/11 (1.12 million) Law & Order: SVU (NBC) – 0.8/9 (1.10 million) The Bachelor (ABC) – 0.8/9 (1.08 million) Chicago Fire (NBC) – 0.8/9 (1.08 million) Tracker (CBS) – 0.8/9 (1.07 million) The Golden Bachelor (ABC) – 0.8/7 (1.06 million) Grey’s Anatomy (ABC) – 0.8/9 (1.04 million) Big Brother (Thursday) (CBS) – 0.8/7 (1.01 million)
The Most-Watched Networks of 2023-24 (By Total Viewers)
- CBS – 5.56 million (down 5%)
- NBC – 4.80 million (down 8%)
- ABC – 4.22 million (up 4%)
- Fox – 3.13 million (down 30%)
- Fox News – 2.01 million (down 5%)
- ESPN – 1.99 million (down 8%)
- MSNBC – 1.22 million (up 3%)
- Univision – 1.19 million (down 7%)
- Telemundo – 1.02 million (up 9%)
- TNT – 968,000 (down 4%)
The Top-Rated Networks of 2023-24 (By Adults 18-49)
- CBS – 0.77/6 (1.02 million; up 18%)
- NBC – 0.71/7 (942,000; down 15%)
- Fox – 0.68/6 (896,000; down 33%)
- ABC – 0.65/7 (854,000; up 3%)
- ESPN – 0.58/6 (766,000; down 8%)
- TNT – 0.30/3 (396,000; down 6%)
- Univision – 0.28/3 (367,000; down 23%)
- Telemundo – 0.23/3 (308,000; down 11%)
- TBS – 0.22/2 (284,000; down 6%)
- USA – 0.17/2 (218,000; even)
NBC’s franchise continues to be a bedrock of the network’s success, proving that strong, interconnected storytelling can keep viewers coming back season after season.
(Featured Image: CHICAGO P.D. — “More” Episode 11013 — Pictured: (l-r) Tracy Spiridakos as Hailey Upton, Jason Beghe as Hank Voight — (Photo by: Lori Allen/NBC)
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