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| KuYun Data Reveals China's Most-Watched CCTV and Satellite TV Dramas of H1 2026. (Image via: Weibo) |
The first-half television ratings for Chinese dramas are in, and one thing is impossible to ignore. The Lead has completely dominated CCTV, while The Epoch of Miyu has emerged as the biggest winner on Satellite TV. According to the latest report released by KuYun Data Entertainment, realism has become the biggest attraction for traditional television audiences, proving that grounded storytelling still packs a punch even as streaming platforms continue grabbing headlines.
The report focuses exclusively on traditional television broadcasts across CCTV and China's major Satellite TV channels. That means the figures do not include streaming performance on platforms such as iQIYI, Tencent Video, Youku or Mango TV.
Instead, the rankings reflect how many people actually tuned in through broadcast television, offering a different picture from the online popularity charts that often dominate entertainment discussions.
On the Satellite TV side, Dragon TV comfortably took control of the competition thanks to The Epoch of Miyu. Led by veteran stars Wallace Chung and Zhu Zhu, the drama secured the number one position with a rating of 0.66%.
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While that figure may appear modest compared with CCTV's numbers, it represents an impressive result in the fiercely competitive Satellite TV market, where audiences are spread across multiple broadcasters every day.
The second spot went to The Inner Eye, airing on Hunan TV. Fronted by Xin Zhilei and Lin Yushen, the drama achieved 0.55%, showing that emotionally driven storytelling continues to resonate with viewers looking for something beyond flashy visuals. It stayed within touching distance of the leader, making the race far closer than many expected.
Rounding out the top three was historical drama Pursuit of Jade, another success story for Dragon TV. Starring Zhang Linghe and Tian Xiwei, the series reached 0.44%, with many viewers praising the pair's chemistry as one of its biggest strengths.
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It also stood out as one of the few period dramas capable of holding its own against the wave of realism-themed productions dominating television this year.
The rest of the Satellite TV Top 10 featured Dazzling, Glory, Never-Ending Summer, Beneath the Undertow, A Splendid Match, Born with Luck, and Persona.
The mix highlights how broadcasters are balancing modern realism, suspense, romance and historical storytelling instead of relying on just one formula. Apparently, there is still room for variety, even if realism is currently stealing the spotlight.
If Satellite TV looked competitive, CCTV was operating on another level altogether. The Lead, starring acclaimed actor Zhang Jiayi alongside Liu Haocun, delivered a remarkable 3.23% rating on CCTV-1, making it not only the channel's biggest drama but also the overall television champion for the first half of 2026.
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| The Lead Crushes CCTV Ratings as Realism Dramas Rule China's TV Charts |
The gap between first and second place was so large that The Lead almost looked like it had forgotten everyone else was supposed to be racing too.
Second place belonged to Wonderful Times, featuring respected performers Mei Ting and Tian Yu, which posted a strong 2.49% rating.
Meanwhile, My Destiny, starring popular actress Tan Songyun alongside Dong Qing, secured third place with 2.40%. All three productions leaned heavily into stories centred on everyday people, family relationships and social realities rather than larger-than-life fantasy worlds.
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Completing CCTV's Top 10 were The City Maker, Live Up to Your Youth, Love Story in the 1970s, Echoes of a Thousand Moons, Gimlet Eyes, Life Optimal Solution, and Born to be Alive.
Although each drama explored different themes, they shared a common thread of relatable characters and grounded narratives, suggesting audiences continue to favour stories that feel close to home.
Perhaps the biggest takeaway from the latest rankings is how realism has firmly established itself as Chinese television's dominant genre. Urban life, family relationships, workplace struggles and ordinary people's journeys are attracting stronger ratings than many fantasy adventures or lavish palace romances.
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| KuYun H1 2026 Rankings Show Veteran Stars Still Dominate Chinese Television |
It does not mean fantasy dramas have disappeared, but viewers appear more interested in stories that resemble real life than heroes floating through the sky for 40 episodes while maintaining flawless hair.
Casting has also played a major role in these successes. Veteran performers including Zhang Jiayi, Mei Ting and Tian Yu continue to demonstrate why they remain trusted names with television audiences, while stars such as Tan Songyun, Zhang Linghe, Liu Haocun and Tian Xiwei help bridge generations of viewers.
Producers increasingly appear to value acting ability and audience trust over simply chasing online buzz. The report has also reignited discussion about how television success should be measured.
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While streaming platforms regularly publish popularity indexes and viewing milestones, KuYun Data remains one of China's most respected third-party measurement services.
Alongside YunHe Data, it is widely used by broadcasters, producers and investors because it tracks actual television performance and effective audience engagement rather than relying solely on platform-generated popularity scores.
Its filtering technology is designed to remove artificial traffic, while its real-time monitoring provides a clearer picture of genuine viewing trends across both broadcast television and online playback.
Fans of Pursuit of Jade were equally pleased to see the historical series reach the Satellite TV podium, while viewers of My Destiny praised Tan Songyun for once again proving her broad appeal.