10 Most Popular TV Series In The U.S.: None Are Recent Award Winners

Remember when nerds used to be un-cool?

Well, they aren't any longer. We’re in the 21st century now, and values have certainly changed; a new appreciation for intellect has arisen. Or has it?

Leaving all reasons aside, CBS Corporation CBS’s "The Big Bang Theory" was the most popular prime-time TV show in the United States in 2016, with an average viewership of 19.94 million people, Nielsen revealed — it was also one of10 most pirated shows of 2016. Shocking, right? Who would have ever imagined that a show about Star Trek-loving, socially awkward physicists would hit a “Friends” level?

One thing is for sure: This show is completely different from all the other top programs on TV right now. As Nielsen’s report put it, “Television in 2016 was all about court rooms, cat fights and comebacks.”

So, let’s take a look at the other nine top TV shows in the States – and their average viewership:

1. CBS’ “NCIS”: 19.89 million.
2. NBC’s Sunday Night Football: 19.28 million. NBC is owned by Comcast Corporation CMCSA.
3. AMC Networks Inc AMCX’s “The Walking Dead”: 18.82 million.
4. CBS’ “Bull”: 17.65 million.
5. CBS’ “NCIS: New Orleans”: 15.62 million.
6. NBC’s “Sunday Night NFL Pre-Kick”: 14.95 million.
7. ABC’s “Designated Survivor”: 14.92 million. ABC is owned by the Walt Disney Co DIS.
8. CBS’ “Tuesday Night Football”: 14.79 million.
9. CBS’ “Blue Bloods”: 14.41 million.

Interestingly enough, none of these series, its actors, directors or producers won a Golden Globe award this year or an Emmy last year.