<P> 2012--2016 </P> <P> For its 17th season (2012--13), Judge Judy once again pulled in a 7.0 household rating . The series delivered 9.63 million average daily viewers that season, growing by + 32,000 viewers over the prior season . Despite this, Judy lost its 1st place spot as the ratings leader in all of syndication that season, descending to 2nd place, only a tad behind The Big Bang Theory (off - network syndicate) which took home a 7.1 for that season . Still and all, this was the 3rd season in a row that Judy earned the title of ratings leader in all of first - run syndication . Moreover, this was the 4th consecutive season that Judy was the ratings leader in all of daytime television programming . For the 18th season (2013--14), Judy rose to a 7.2 household rating and brought in 9.94 million viewers, gaining 8% over its prior season . Also for this season, the show reclaimed the title as highest rated program in all of daytime (5th consecutive time, 8th time overall) and all of syndication (3rd time). The show's 19th season (2014--15) pulled in a 7.0 household rating and remained the highest rated program in both daytime television as well as all of syndication . The 20th season (2015--16) was Judy's 3rd consecutive year as syndication's top strip, the court show averaging a 7.0 full - season household rating . </P> <P> For its 21st season (2016 - 17), Judge Judy trounced all of its competitors in daytime and all of syndication . The court show scored a 6.8 household rating for its 21st season . </P> <P> The success of Judge Judy is particularly noteworthy in that, generally speaking, courtroom programming has a very limited shelf life . The shows in this genre are lucky to make it past a few seasons . In addition, most of the programs in this genre do not score very highly in ratings . The annual Forbes magazine Celebrity 100 for 2015 lists Judge Judy Sheindlin at number 43, along with Vin Diesel, with estimated earnings last year of $47 million . </P>

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