7 Reasons ‘This Is Us’ Keeps Killing It in TV Ratings (Photos)

NBC drama’s got great pedigree and ‘The Voice’ lead-in, sure, but there’s considerably more to it than that

| November 22, 2016 @ 3:31 PM
This Is Us
NBC
"This Is Us" is fall TV's biggest freshman hit -- and it's really not all that close. The one-hour show premiered as NBC's most-watched scripted series in the time period in 7 years. It hasn't slowed down since then -- click through the slideshow to find out why. Also Read: ‘This Is Us': The Biggest Tearjerker Moments So Far (Photos)
The Voice
NBC
Scheduling, Scheduling, Scheduling: Hey, anything after "The Voice" has a puncher's chance. But "This Is Us" is the first-ever scripted show to build on the singing competition lead-in, and it's now done that twice. Also Read: Election 2016: The 16 Biggest Losers After It Actually Ends (Photos)
"Parenthood"
NBC
The "Parenthood" Effect: While "Parenthood" outstayed its welcome in terms of Nielsen numbers, the show had been a solid performer and a fan favorite. So why not create something like that, focusing on one big, (usually) happy family? Done and done. Also Read: Here’s the Best- and Worst-Rated TV Show on Each Network After 1 Month (Photos)
This Is Us
NBC
Fresh Start: "This Is Us" had a killer pilot. I mean, it was REALLY good, with a legitimately incredible payoff. What you guys don't know is that us TV critics saw a slightly different version, but the one that made it to air was excellent too. Also Read: 25 Highest Rated Broadcast TV Shows of 2015-2016 Season (Photos)
this is us
NBC
How About That Trailer?: Before the pilot, came the trailer that wowed the world. Immediately after May's TV upfronts, the "This Is Us" official teaser started breaking viewership records. To date, it's notched 127 million clicks. Also Read: 20 Highest-Rated Broadcast TV Shows of Summer 2016 (Photos)
This Is Us
NBC
The Power of Positivity: Look, 2016 has been pretty terrible, and the election had or currently has almost everyone in America bummed out, depending on which candidate you support(ed). Sometimes you just want to watch something nice and sweet. This fits the bill. Also Read: 27 Lowest-Rated Broadcast TV Shows of 2015-2016 Season (Photos)
This Is Us
NBC
Diverse and Relatable Casting: "This Is Us" looks more like America than many shows. The progressive drama centers on a mixed-race family, which also features an obese character. And guess what? She's not marginalized. Kate gets to date and be normal. What a concept! Also Read: Kelly Ripa’s Guest Co-Hosts Ranked by TV Ratings: From Kimmel to Christian Slater (Photos)
NBC
The "Seinfeld" Concept: Let's keep it within the NBC family, shall we? "Seinfeld" is credited -- particularly among sitcoms -- as one of the first shows to cleverly weave storylines neatly together by the tail-end of each episode. "This Is Us" does that very well, without as many laughs, clearly. Also Read: 13 Best Evil Kermit the Frog Memes (Photos)
This Is Us
NBC
The most-recent episode of "This Is Us" has set a new series record with 14.43 million total viewers, a sum inclusive of five-day delayed viewing, TheWrap has learned exclusively. In other words, this train isn't slowing down -- might as well hop aboard. Also Read: ‘Gilmore Girls': 25 Essential Episodes to Binge Before ‘A Year in the Life’ (Photos)