History's Best Selling TV Shows of 2000

Make way for the hits of 2000! This remarkable era stood as a testament to the turn-of-the-millennium pop explosion and the march of first-rate tv. Crowd-pleasers such as Survivor shared the spotlight with mega-bestsellers Gilmore Girls and essential classics. Brought to you by top-notch makers from industry leaders like Charlie Parsons and Amy Sherman-Palladino, these trailblazing products dominated airwaves and playground buzz alike and earned a permanent place in cultural lore. Check out the complete rank-ordered ledger below to relive the finest releases of the year.

1. Survivor

   Released in 2000 by Charlie Parsons, CBS

   On May 31, 2000, American television changed forever with the premiere of 'Survivor: Borneo' on CBS. In a television landscape dominated by sitcoms and scripted dramas, the arrival of this new 'reality' show was a seismic event. Based on a Swedish format, it brought a radical concept to primetime: a real-life adventure where 16 ordinary Americans were marooned on a remote island to outwit, outplay, and outlast each other for a million-dollar prize. This date marks the beginning of the modern reality competition genre in the U.S., a phenomenon that would reshape network programming, create new kinds of celebrities, and spark national conversations for decades to come.

2. Gilmore Girls

   Released in 2000 by Amy Sherman-Palladino, The WB, The CW

   On October 5, 2000, the television landscape was forever changed with the premiere of "Gilmore Girls" on The WB network. This date marked the first time audiences were welcomed into the quirky, charming town of Stars Hollow, Connecticut, and introduced to the fast-talking, coffee-obsessed mother-daughter duo Lorelai and Rory Gilmore. In an era often defined by high-concept dramas and broad sitcoms, "Gilmore Girls" offered a refreshing alternative. It presented a world grounded in relatable relationships, complex family dynamics, and witty, pop-culture-infused dialogue. The show's debut established a new kind of character-driven family drama that would become a hallmark of the network and a beloved cultural touchstone for a generation.