Top 10 Highest-Grossing Television Shows of All Time

Television has been a constant source of entertainment, producing a myriad of shows and sitcoms over the years. While some have catered to niche audiences, others have evolved into lucrative ventures. The key to generating substantial revenue often lies in shows with broad appeal, suitable for viewers of all ages.

Table of Contents

1. “The Simpsons”

Created by Matt Groening

“The Simpsons” holds a unique position in television history, having run since 1989 with an impressive 35 seasons and 740 episodes. As the longest-running American animated series and sitcom, it has also claimed the title of the longest-running American scripted primetime television series. Beyond its animated format, the show utilizes humor to address social and political issues globally. In 2013, the series made a groundbreaking $750 million deal with FXX and FXNow for cable syndication and VOD rights. The release of “The Simpsons Movie” in 2007 added over $527 million to its revenue. The franchise extends its financial success through lucrative merchandise sales.

Release Date: December 17, 1989
Cast: Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Hank Azaria, Harry Shearer
Main Genre: Comedy
Rating: TV-14
Seasons: 36

2. “Friends”

Created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman

“Friends,” concluding its 10-season run in 2004, remains a beloved sitcom, with enduring popularity. The main cast, including Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, and Lisa Kudrow, saw a significant increase in earnings, reaching $1 million per episode in the final two years. Forbes estimated a collective earning of $816 million for the cast and at least $550 million for executive producers. The show, since its 1994 debut, has generated an estimated $1.4 billion for its stars and creators and an impressive $4.8 billion for Warner Bros. through various revenue streams.

Release Date: September 22, 1994
Cast: Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, David Schwimmer
Main Genre: Sitcom
Rating: TV-14
Seasons: 10

3. “Modern Family”

Created by Christopher Lloyd and Steven Levitan

“Modern Family” became a global family sitcom phenomenon during its 11-season run. The adult cast, including Sofia Vergara and Julie Bowen, saw earnings increase from $65,000 to half a million dollars per episode. Syndication rights were sold to the USA Network in 2010 for a staggering $1.8 million per episode. In 2021, Hulu and NBCUniversal’s Peacock secured streaming rights for the show’s 250 episodes. The series demonstrated its enduring financial appeal through various distribution deals.

Release Date: September 23, 2009
Cast: Ed O’Neill, Sofia Vergara, Julie Bowen, Ty Burrell, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Eric Stonestreet, Sarah Hyland, Ariel Winter
Main Genre: Comedy
Rating: TV-PG
Seasons: 11

4. “The Big Bang Theory”

Created by Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady

“The Big Bang Theory,” concluding its 12-season run in 2019, earned its place as the longest-running multi-camera comedy series. The main cast’s collective decision to take pay cuts of $100,000 each showcased camaraderie. CBS reaped $125 million – $150 million per season from ad revenues, and Warner Bros. grossed $1 billion through syndication revenues. Merchandising and future syndication deals added to the show and cast members’ income streams.

Release Date: September 24, 2007
Cast: Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Melissa Rauch, Mayim Bialik, Kevin Sussman
Main Genre: Comedy
Seasons: 12

5. “Cheers”

Created by Glenn and Les Charles and James Burrows

“Cheers,” a costly production for Paramount at $2.2 million per episode, became NBC’s most valuable show, earning $115 million annually in ad revenues by 1991. The cast, including Ted Danson, earned $450,000 per episode. The show’s popularity prompted NBC to continue despite Paramount’s annual losses. Syndication and royalties have sustained the cast’s financial success three decades after the show concluded.

Release Date: September 30, 1982
Cast: Ted Danson, Kirstie Alley, Rhea Perlman, John Ratzenberger, George Wendt, Kelsey Grammer, Woody Harrelson, Bebe Neuwirth
Main Genre: Comedy
Seasons: 11

6. “Frasier”

Created by David Angell, Peter Casey, and David Lee

“Frasier,” a successful spin-off of “Cheers,” ran for 11 seasons, accumulating over $1.5 billion in revenues by 2005, with $830 million from licensing fees alone. In 2011, Netflix paid CBS $200 million for streaming rights, showcasing the enduring financial appeal of the show and its streaming potential.

Release Date: September 16, 1993
Cast: Kelsey Grammer, David Hyde Pierce, Jane Leeves, Peri Gilpin, John Mahoney
Main Genre: Comedy
Seasons: 11

7. “Seinfeld”

Created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld

“Seinfeld” stands out as one of the most successful sitcoms, with its final episode in 1998 attracting 76.3 million viewers. Co-creators Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David negotiated a 15% share of syndication, streaming, and merchandise earnings, estimated at $40 million to $60 million annually from reruns alone.

Release Date: July 5, 1989
Cast: Jerry Seinfeld, Jason Alexander, Michael Richards, Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Main Genre: Comedy
Seasons: 9

8. “Everybody Loves Raymond”

Created by Philip Rosenthal

“Everybody Loves Raymond,” a fan-favorite, faced salary disparities among its cast, with Ray Romano earning $1.75 million per episode in the final two seasons. After a cast walkout and salary settlement, Romano reportedly continues to earn $18 million per year through reruns.

Release Date: September 13, 1996
Cast: Ray Romano, Patricia Heaton, Doris Roberts, Peter Boyle, Brad Garrett
Main Genre: Comedy
Seasons: 9

9. “Grey’s Anatomy”

Created by Shonda Rhimes

“Grey’s Anatomy,” with 19 seasons and counting, holds the record as ABC’s longest-running scripted primetime show and the longest-running scripted medical drama series. Ellen Pompeo’s negotiation for a higher salary, reaching $575,000 per episode, reflects the cast’s significant role in the show’s success. The series has generated nearly $3 billion for Disney+, justifying the cast’s substantial earnings.

Release Date: March 27, 2005
Cast: Ellen Pompeo, James Pickens Jr., Chandra Wilson, Justin Chambers, Kevin McKidd, Jesse Williams, Patrick Dempsey
Main Genre: Drama
Seasons: 20

10. “Two and a Half Men”

Created by Chuck Lorre and Lee Aronsohn

“Two and a Half Men” ran for 12 seasons and faced a significant casting change with Charlie Sheen’s departure. Sheen’s $1.8 million per episode was reduced to Ashton Kutcher’s $700,000. Ad revenues alone grossed $155 million per season in 2011, highlighting the financial success of the series.

Release Date: September 22, 2003
Cast: Ashton Kutcher, Conchata Ferrell, Amber Tamblyn, Jon Cryer, Angus T. Jones
Main Genre: Comedy
Seasons: 12

In conclusion, these top 10 highest-grossing television shows exemplify the enduring financial impact of successful series, transcending their initial run through syndication, streaming, merchandise, and ad revenues. Each show has left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry, demonstrating the art of balancing creative content with commercial success.