Beginning Sept. 21, The New York Times will unveil a ranked list of the 100 best tv shows of the 21st century. The list is based on a survey of more than 500 television professionals in Hollywood and around the world. The publication is encouraging readers to sign up for updates to ensure they receive the rankings as they are revealed. This marks another major cultural ranking effort by NYT Top Stories, following previous lists on film, music, and literature.
The announcement does not specify whether the list will be released all at once or in daily installments, though past Top Stories surveys have typically rolled out over several weeks. NYT has not commented further on the selection criteria or how ties were handled. A similar 2009 list was criticized by some critics for favoring prestige dramas over genre programming such as comedies, sci-fi, and international series.
Key Facts
- Unveiling begins .
- List ranks 100 shows.
- Ranked by 500+ TV professionals globally.
- Voted on by professionals in Hollywood and abroad.
- Updates available via sign-up, per NYT.
What Happens Next?
The New York Times will begin publishing its ranking of the 100 best tv shows of the 21st century starting Sept. 21. The poll includes input from more than 500 industry professionals across Hollywood and international markets. Readers can subscribe to receive real-time notifications as each title is announced. The rollout mirrors NYT’s prior “100 Best” series, which historically publishes entries incrementally to sustain reader engagement over multiple weeks. No additional details about voting mechanics or tie-breaking procedures have been provided at this time.
Similar rankings released by NYT in 2009 sparked debate among critics who questioned the balance between prestige dramas and other genres. International representation has historically drawn scrutiny as well, with past lists criticized for underrepresenting non-U.S. productions. Whether this updated list reflects broader diversity remains to be seen.
Who Is Affected?
The list directly impacts television critics, streaming platforms, and viewers who follow award-season buzz. Networks and studios often track their inclusion on such rankings to promote programming and secure licensing deals. International broadcasters may use the results to highlight overlooked foreign-language series or challenge Western-dominated narratives in global entertainment journalism.
In recent years, streaming services like Netflix and HBO Max have leaned heavily on “best-of” lists to market their original content libraries. Being featured—or omitted—can influence subscriber retention and algorithm placement on digital platforms. Viewer habits around prestige programming tend to shift shortly after high-profile rankings emerge.
How Did We Get Here?
NYT previously ranked the 100 best films and 100 best TV shows in 2009 and 2022 respectively. These earlier efforts faced criticism for limited geographic scope and genre imbalance favoring traditional broadcast networks. Since then, the rise of streaming platforms and international co-productions has reshaped both viewing patterns and critical discourse. That context likely informed the expanded professional polling base cited in the current announcement.
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What We Know — and What We Don’t
Verified by the source:
- The list includes exactly 100 television shows.
- The ranking starts on September 21.
- More than 500 TV professionals participated.
- Voters are based in Hollywood and globally.
- Updates require reader sign-up through NYT.
Still unconfirmed:
- Exact release schedule and frequency of reveals.
- Criteria used to select participating professionals.
- Representation split between U.S. and international voters.
- Handling of ties or disputed genre classifications.
Why It Matters
NYT’s “100 Best” lists shape cultural conversation and often drive viewership trends. With streaming fragmentation making discovery harder, these rankings offer a curated guide for audiences seeking quality content amid thousands of options. They also reflect evolving industry standards around global storytelling and genre inclusion in prestige programming.
What To Watch
Viewers can expect incremental reveals beginning Sept. 21 via NYT subscriptions. No further commentary from NYT has been issued regarding methodology or scope limitations compared to previous editions.