5. Popularity
Friends is not only one of the best comedy series of all time, it's also one of the most loved. The season ten finale is still the fourth most watched episode in TV history with 51.1 million viewers tuning in to see the last ever outing for the six friends. Friends dominated television sets for 10 years, earning critical acclaim and numerous awards, but perhaps its greatest achievement is its lasting appeal. Currently, Friends is shown five nights a week in the Uk and Ireland and is one of the most repeatedly watched TV shows worldwide. Meanwhile, The Big Bang Theory celebrated its return with a whopping 20 million viewers tuning into the season six premiere. The ratings have steadily risen in the last few years too and don't look like slowing down. Starting at 8 million in season 1, season 2 gained the series an extra million viewers. Season 3 and 4 saw ratings soar to 14 million viewers while season 5 brought the total to 15 million. For a series with such a profound emphasis on geek culture, its success is truly spectacular. The Big Bang Theory is the most successful series on TV at the moment and as it is guaranteed at least 3 more seasons, it could, potentially, become the highest viewed sitcom of all time.
Winner = The Big Bang Theory