This list includes a number of television shows which have received negative reception from both critics and audiences alike, some of which are considered the worst of all time.

Criteria

Factors that can reflect poorly on a television series include inherently poor quality, the lack of a budget, rapid cancellation, very low viewership, offensive content, and negative impact on other series on the same channel. Multiple outlets have produced lists ranking the worst television series, including TV Guide, Entertainment Weekly and Mail Online. TV Guide published lists in 2002 and 2010, each of which had contemporary shows near the top of the list. The following is a list of television series notable for negative reception—some of which are considered the worst of all time by critics, network executives, and viewers (with extremely low viewership despite high promotion). Situation comedy shows make up a large percentage, so they are listed in a separate page.

Animated shows

Live-action children's shows

Dramas and soap operas

Fantasy and science fiction shows

Game shows

News

Reality television series

Sitcoms

Specials and television films

Sports

Talk shows

Variety and sketch comedy shows