Network procedurals once again ruled 2020 across the linear TV networks.
Nielsen released its top TV programs of the year on Monday and the most watched regularly scheduled shows included NBC's "Chicago" franchise along with CBS's "NCIS" and "FBI."
Usual suspects like "This Is Us" and "Young Sheldon" also made the top 10, but law-enforcement shows still dominated in a year where police-focused TV drew scrutiny amid nationwide protests against police violence following the death of George Floyd.
The NBC comedy "Brooklyn 99," for instance, faced pressure to confront police violence in its next season. Star Andy Samberg said that the series will explore the issue in future storylines.
Police-oriented shows are often the most popular programs on TV, but a study by the nonprofit advocacy organization Color of Change this year found that these shows can normalize wrongful actions by their protagonists, such as racism or abuse of power.
Overall, Nielsen's year-end list is similar to its top shows of the 2019-2020 TV season it released in May, with the top four exactly the same but "This Is Us" falling a tad.
We rounded up the list, but only included scripted programs (so we excluded Thursday and Sunday Night Football).
Below are the top eight shows of 2020, according to Nielsen ratings: