America’s Favorite Gameshows
We know the thrill of winning big through reviewing online casinos, while popular game shows like Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune feed our competitive spirit and celebrate the win-big mindset, each drawing around 9 million viewers per episode. With 80% of U.S. adults tuning into reality TV, it’s clear we’re a competitive bunch who love watching others win because it inspires us to believe we can too.
We looked at 25 of the most popular game shows and reality TV competitions in the U.S. by analyzing social media followings, engagement, audience ratings, search volume, consistent popularity, and streaming platform trends to determine which shows are true fan favorites that tap into Americans’ competitive nature.
Family Feud is America’s Overall Favorite Game Show
Airing since July 1976, Family Feud comes out on top as America’s favorite game show. With 2 million followers on social media, strong audience engagement, steady viewership, and popularity across streaming platforms, its influence remains unmatched.
Over its 49-year run, Family Feud has built a lasting legacy with the American public that continues to grow. It’s currently the favorite game show in nine different states, including Alabama, Arkansas, and Georgia.
The Top Game Show in Every State
From classic game shows such as Family Feud and Jeopardy to cutting-edge reality competitions like Love Island and Survivor, Americans love the chance to play smart and win big. Whether testing knowledge or endurance, these shows capture the thrill of competition and the excitement of unexpected victories.
Across the 50 States, TV Tastes Vary
Though MasterChef is not America’s overall favorite game show, it ranks as the top pick in 11 out of 50 states, including New Jersey, Nevada, and Arizona. Hosted by Gordon Ramsay, the cooking competition captivates audiences with high-stakes challenges, emotional storylines, and impressive culinary talent.
Nationally, MasterChef ranks as the ninth most popular show but has one of the most socially engaged audiences compared to other titles. Its blend of creativity, pressure, and personality continues to make it a standout among reality competition shows.
Family ties run deep in the South. Seven of the nine states where Family Feud comes out on top are Southern states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Tennessee.
Colorado is the only state to favor Big Brother, which may reflect its strategic mindset and younger demographic. South Dakota’s love for The Masked Singer offers a lighter contrast to the intensity of Survivor or MasterChef in other Midwestern states.
Winning Big and Winning in Popularity
Shows like Survivor, popular in nine different states, America’s Got Talent, popular in Alaska, and The Challenge, popular in Maine, Idaho, and Nebraska, all offer some of the biggest reality TV competition payouts. These shows have built large fan bases thanks to their high stakes and intense competition.
Each of these shows awards $1 million to the winner, which raises the stakes and adds extra layers of strategy. This significant prize money keeps contestants motivated and viewers engaged season after season.
For those who take these competitions seriously from the couch and want to win big while satisfying their competitive spirit, GamblingSites.com reviews online casinos to give you the confidence to know where to place your bets for the best chance at big wins.
Methodology
Using a list of 25 different game shows and reality TV competitions, we measured the popularity of each show based on metrics such as social media following, audience engagement on social media, audience ratings, popularity over time and on streaming services, and search volume using KeywordsTool. Data is accurate as of July 3, 2025.
