Seinfeld generally had higher ratings during its original run, particularly evidenced by its finale viewership compared to that of Friends.
A Look at Viewership and Popularity
Throughout the 1990s, Seinfeld was widely considered a more popular show. Its cultural impact and viewership numbers during its broadcast run often surpassed those of Friends. While Friends eventually achieved immense global popularity and cultural staying power, especially in subsequent decades, Seinfeld held a dominant position in terms of viewership during its time on air.
Finale Episode Viewership Comparison
A clear indicator of this difference in peak viewership can be seen by comparing the audience numbers for each show's highly anticipated series finale:
| Show | Finale Air Date | Viewers (Millions) |
|---|---|---|
| Seinfeld | 1998 | 76.3 |
| Friends | 2004 | 52.5 |
As the table illustrates, the final episode of Seinfeld garnered a significantly larger audience, attracting 76.3 million viewers when it aired in 1998, whereas the Friends finale in 2004 had 52.5 million viewers. This direct comparison highlights Seinfeld's higher ratings performance at the culmination of its run.
