Yellowstone Finale Achieves Record Ratings, But There’s a Twist

Taylor Sheridan’s acclaimed series Yellowstone reached significant viewership peaks with its gripping season finale on Sunday, December 15, as highlighted by newly released data from Paramount.

This dramatic finale not only featured a shocking character death but also set the stage for several exciting spin-offs while bringing the Dutton Ranch’s story arc to a dramatic close.

Navigating the viewing options for this eagerly awaited episode was almost as intricate as the plot itself, with the show premiering in the United States on the Paramount Network, in contrast to its availability on Paramount+ in Canada, the UK, and Ireland.

A Virtual Army Tuned In

According to ratings data from VideoAmp, an impressive 11.4 million viewers tuned in for the Yellowstone finale, marking it as the most-watched episode in the series’ history (source: Variety). However, the context surrounding this number reveals a more complex picture.

Jefferson White as Jimmy in Yellowstone — Paramount

A notable aspect of these figures is that Paramount previously reported that the Season 5B premiere attracted 16.4 million viewers. This number, however, encompassed a wider audience across various platforms, including broadcasts on the Paramount Network, CBS, and other cable networks, as well as repeat airings.

In contrast, the recent ratings data focuses solely on live and same-day viewings through the Paramount Network and CMT, thereby creating a more focused but narrower metric. Historically, Nielsen ratings were employed to gauge viewership for the show, but ongoing negotiations between Paramount Global and Nielsen, following the expiration of their contract in September, have complicated data comparisons.

To view this highly anticipated finale or to find out what lies ahead for Sheridan’s expanding narrative universe, including updates about The Madison and 1923 Season 2, please follow the links below.

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