These old TV shows were streamed more than any movie in 2024, ratings show

FILE-Photo of "Little House on the Prairie." (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
A pair of iconic TV shows were among the top streamed programs for viewers last year based on a new Nielsen report.
"Little House on the Prairie," which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2024, aired on NBC from 1974 to 1983. The TV western raked in 13.3 billion minutes of viewing time on Peacock last year, with Nielsen noting that adults 35–64 years old accounted for 63% of the show’s overall viewing total.
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Meanwhile, the classic western "Gunsmoke" gained stellar viewership with 10.23 billion minutes of watch time on Peacock/Paramount+. The show debuted on TV in 1955 and aired for 20 seasons on CBS ranking as a top Nielsen-rated show for a few years.
According to the Nielsen report, while the show appeals to viewers 50 years old and older, viewership for the program is strong among Black viewers who accounted for 36% of viewing time last year.
Both shows earned Nielsen’s ARTEY Legacy Award, which recognizes enduring, timeless programs that continue to entertain and captivate audiences, according to the report.
Separately, "Little House on the Prairie" and "Gunsmoke" even had a higher viewership among audiences than the top steamed films in 2024, which were "Moana" (13.03 billion minutes viewed on Disney+) and "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" (11.72 billion minutes viewed on Netflix).
‘Little House on the Prairie’ reboot
What's next:
Netflix recently announced its plans to reboot "Little House on the Prairie." Rebecca Sonnenshine was tapped to be the showrunner and executive producer on the new series.
Variety reported that Joy Gorman Wettels will be an executive produce along with Trip Friendly for Friendly Family Productions, Dana Fox, and Susanna Fogel.
CBS Studios and Anonymous Content Studios will produce for Netflix. Friendly is the son of Ed Friendly, who executive produced the original "Little House on the Prairie" TV series.
What they're saying:
Netflix on its website said about the reboot "the new Little House on the Prairie is part family drama, part epic survival tale, and part origin story of the American West" and "will offer a kaleidoscopic view of the struggles and triumphs of those who shaped the frontier."