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Taylor Sheridan’s 2-Part ‘Yellowstone’ Spin-Off Is Officially CBS’ Newest Smash Hit
Taylor Sheridan's "Yellowstone" spin-off Marshals has become the biggest broadcast television hit of the 2025–2026 season, according to Nielsen's final ratings figures. Despite dividing critics and audiences more than any other show in the Yellowstone franchise, the CBS series has drawn consistently large weekly audiences, underlining Sheridan's ability to attract viewers even when reception is mixed.
Nielsen's final 35-day multi-platform ratings show Marshals attracted 19.3 million viewers across its viewing window, making it the most-watched broadcast series of the season. Across all television, including streaming, it ranked fifth overall, trailing Netflix's Stranger Things, but among traditional broadcast shows – where most of its audience sits – it topped the list outright.
In short
- Marshals is the season's most-watched US broadcast TV series.
- Nielsen data shows 19.3 million viewers across its run.
- Ranked fifth overall across all platforms, behind Stranger Things.
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The case for
The Nielsen ratings data provide objective evidence of commercial success. With 19.3 million viewers and commanding the top position for broadcast television—where the vast majority of its audience watches—Marshals has achieved what the television industry measures as a decisive victory. Large, consistent weekly audiences demonstrate genuine audience engagement, and the series has accomplished what few broadcast shows manage in an era of streaming competition.
The case against
Whilst the broadcast numbers are undeniably high, the story itself notes that critics and audiences are more divided on Marshals than on other Yellowstone franchise entries, which complicates the "smash hit" narrative. The series ranks only fifth across all television platforms when streaming services are included, and mixed critical reception suggests the raw viewership figures may obscure deeper questions about the show's actual cultural resonance and audience satisfaction.
Explained simply
"Yellowstone" was a long-running drama series created by Taylor Sheridan about a wealthy ranching family and its conflicts. The series became one of the most-watched television shows and attracted a large audience.
The success of "Yellowstone" led producers to develop multiple spin-offs – new series set within the same fictional world but with different characters and storylines. This is a common strategy for expanding successful television franchises.
"Marshals" is a two-part spin-off that premiered on CBS in 2025. Like other "Yellowstone" extensions, it takes place in the same fictional universe but features its own distinct story and cast.
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