The Young and the Restless: 2025-26 TV Ratings (Updated 2/26/2026)

Why It Matters

The series’ robust ratings secure advertising revenue and set a benchmark for an industry losing viewers to streaming, making its renewal a bellwether for daytime TV viability.

Key Takeaways

• Renewed through 2027‑28, 55th year on air
• 2024‑25 averaged 0.26 rating, 2.97M viewers
• Remains highest‑rated network daytime soap
• Ratings crucial for renewal decisions
• Soap market shrinking, Y&R outlasts competitors

Pulse Analysis

The Young and the Restless remains a cornerstone of CBS’s daytime lineup, not only because of its historic run but also due to its consistently strong performance in the coveted 18‑49 female demo. A 0.26 rating and nearly three million viewers place it well above its soap counterparts, translating into premium ad inventory that advertisers covet for reaching a loyal, brand‑affinitive audience. CBS leverages these metrics to negotiate higher CPMs, reinforcing the network’s commitment to traditional broadcast even as streaming proliferates.

Across the broader television landscape, daytime drama faces an existential challenge. Viewership has migrated to on‑demand platforms, prompting many networks to cut back or cancel long‑running soaps. Yet Y&R’s ratings resilience illustrates that a well‑nurtured franchise can still capture linear audiences, especially older demographics that remain less inclined toward streaming. This dynamic reshapes advertising strategies, with brands allocating budgets to daytime slots to reach consumers who are less fragmented across digital channels.

Looking ahead, the series’ renewal through 2027‑28 provides a strategic runway for CBS to experiment with cross‑platform extensions, such as digital exclusives or companion podcasts, while preserving its core broadcast strength. If Y&R can maintain or improve its ratings, it will not only safeguard its own future but also serve as a proof point that legacy content can thrive alongside streaming giants. Advertisers and media planners will watch these trends closely, as they signal where investment dollars may flow in the evolving TV ecosystem.