The Most Popular Dateline Episode, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the episode you think is the most popular!
Updated on Apr 26, 2024 06:34
Fans of true crime and investigative stories often find themselves debating which episodes of Dateline are the best. With so many gripping tales of mystery and intrigue, it's tough to decide which stand out above the rest. Creating a ranked list of the most beloved episodes helps viewers see which stories resonated the most with audiences, providing a clearer picture of public opinion.
By participating in the ranking, users have the power to influence which episodes are seen as the most compelling. This dynamic ranking changes with every vote, making every participant's opinion count. Whether you're a long-time viewer or new to the series, your votes help celebrate the episodes that captivate and engage the most.
What Is the Most Popular Dateline Episode?
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171votesThis episode covers the murder of a family of four and the subsequent investigation that led to the arrest of their neighbor. It received a lot of media attention and was one of the highest-rated Dateline episodes in recent years.The House on Badger Lane is a chilling and suspenseful episode of Dateline that aired on September 30, 2019. The story revolves around the mysterious events that occurred in a seemingly ordinary house located on Badger Lane. As the episode unfolds, viewers are taken on a gripping journey as they uncover the dark secrets hidden within the walls of the house. It showcases the skillful storytelling and investigative journalism that Dateline is known for.
- Episode Title: The House on Badger Lane
- Air Date: September 30, 2019
- Genre: Crime, Mystery, Thriller
- Running Time: 60 minutes
- Host: Keith Morrison
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234votes
The Mystery at Heath Bar Farm
Dateline NBCThis episode tells the story of a wealthy family whose son goes missing, and the investigation that uncovers a shocking secret about the family. It was a gripping episode that kept viewers on edge until the very end.The Mystery at Heath Bar Farm is a gripping and acclaimed episode of Dateline. It follows the investigation of a puzzling murder case that took place at a remote farm called Heath Bar Farm. The episode is filled with suspense and twists, keeping viewers at the edge of their seats as they piece together the puzzle.- Air Date: November 12, 2019
- Host: Keith Morrison
- Duration: 60 minutes
- Location: Heath Bar Farm
- Crime Type: Murder
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320votes
The Carrollton Plot
Dateline NBCThis episode covers the story of a group of teenagers who plotted to blow up their school. The episode was a wake-up call for parents and educators about the dangers of school violence.The Carrollton Plot is a gripping episode of Dateline that aired on April 23, 2021. It focuses on a chilling murder-for-hire scheme that took place in Carrollton, Georgia.- Air Date: April 23, 2021
- Location: Carrollton, Georgia
- Crime Type: Murder-for-hire
- Victims: The intended target and potential witnesses
- Conspirators: Multiple individuals involved in the plot
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421votes
The Night of the New Moon
DatelineThis episode tells the story of a young woman who was murdered while jogging in a park. The investigation that followed uncovered a shocking secret about the victim's past.The Night of the New Moon is an episode of Dateline, a popular investigative journalism television show. In this episode, the story revolves around a mysterious series of events that took place on a night of a rare celestial event, known as the new moon. The episode investigates the disappearance of a young woman from a small town, where strange occurrences and unexplained phenomena become intertwined with the investigation. The suspenseful narrative takes viewers on a journey to uncover the truth.- Episode Duration: 1 hour
- Original Air Date: April 15, 2019
- Genre: Investigative journalism
- Narrator: Keith Morrison
- Location: Small town
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513votes
Santa Barbara police · Public domainThis episode covers the infamous murder of aspiring actress Elizabeth Short, whose body was found cut in half and mutilated in 1947. The episode sheds light on the unsolved case and the many theories surrounding it.The Black Dahlia is a notorious unsolved murder case that took place in Los Angeles in 1947. The victim, Elizabeth Short, was a 22-year-old aspiring actress, whose dismembered body was found brutally mutilated in a vacant lot. The case gained significant media attention and became one of the most famous unsolved murders in the history of American crime.- Case Type: Murder
- Date: January 15, 1947
- Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
- Victim: Elizabeth Short
- Age: 22
The Black Dahlia in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular cold case
- Position 2 of 10 in Most difficult cases solved
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611votes
The Confession
Dateline NBCThis episode covers the story of a man who confessed to a murder he did not commit. The episode raises questions about the reliability of confessions and the investigative techniques used to extract them.The Confession is an episode of Dateline NBC, a popular true crime television show that investigates and reports on real-life mysteries and criminal cases. It originally aired on April 24, 2010. The episode focuses on the case of Ryan Ferguson, a young man who was convicted of murder in 2005 and spent nearly a decade behind bars before his conviction was overturned. The Confession explores the circumstances surrounding Ferguson's arrest, the questionable testimony that led to his conviction, and the efforts of his legal team to prove his innocence.- Episode title: The Confession
- Original air date: April 24, 2010
- Genre: True crime
- Runtime: Approximately 1 hour
- Host: Keith Morrison
The Confession in other rankings- Position 9 of 10 in Most popular Fear Street book
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710votes
The Promise
Danielle SteelThis episode tells the story of a woman who disappeared while on a cruise with her husband. The investigation that followed revealed a dark side to their seemingly perfect marriage.The Promise is a novel written by Danielle Steel, one of the most popular American romance novelists. The book tells the story of Raphaella, a young girl who loses her beloved father and is sent off to live with relatives in Paris. There, she meets Philippe, a charismatic and sophisticated man who sweeps her off her feet. However, their passionate love affair is threatened by the turmoil of World War II, forcing Raphaella to make a promise that will change the course of her life forever.- Publication Date: 1999
- Genre: Romance
- Setting: Paris, France
- Main Characters: Raphaella and Philippe
- Themes: Love, Loss, War, Promise
The Promise in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular Danielle Steel book
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87votes
The Evil That Men Do
Dateline NBCThis episode covers the story of a woman who was raped and murdered, and the investigation that led to the arrest of her killer. The episode sheds light on the issue of sexual violence against women.The Evil That Men Do is a gripping episode of Dateline that investigates a notorious criminal case involving horrific crimes committed by men. The episode explores the dark side of humanity as it delves into the mindset and actions of these individuals.- Title: The Evil That Men Do
- Aired on: June 12, 2020
- Runtime: 60 minutes
- Hosted by: Lester Holt
- Investigative Journalist: Keith Morrison
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98votes
The Shadow of Justice
Dateline NBCThis episode tells the story of a man who was wrongfully convicted of murder and spent 16 years in prison before being exonerated. The episode raises questions about the flaws in the justice system.The Shadow of Justice is a gripping episode of Dateline that delves into a high-profile murder case and the pursuit of truth and justice. It follows the investigation, trial, and aftermath of a brutal crime, highlighting the complexities of the legal system and the impact on the victims' families.- Air Date: January 15, 2019
- Host: Lester Holt
- Length: 120 minutes
- Genre: True Crime
- Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
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108votes
The Twisted Mind of Daniel Wozniak
Dateline NBCThis episode covers the story of a community theater actor who murdered two of his friends for money. The episode sheds light on the mind of a psychopath and the lengths some people will go to for financial gain.The Twisted Mind of Daniel Wozniak is an episode of Dateline NBC, a true crime television show that explores intriguing murder mysteries. This particular episode delves into the disturbing case of Daniel Wozniak, a community theater actor who orchestrates a complex plan to kill and dismember his neighbor and then attempts to frame an innocent man for the crime.- Episode Title: The Twisted Mind of Daniel Wozniak
- Release Date: May 29, 2016
- Running Time: Approximately 43 minutes
- Host: Keith Morrison
- Investigative Journalist: Josh Mankiewicz
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Discussion
Ranking factors for popular episode
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Viewership ratingsThe number of people who watched the episode when it aired or in subsequent airings can be a strong indicator of its popularity. Higher ratings suggest that more people were interested in the episode and its subject matter.
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Online engagementAnalyzing the level of engagement on social media platforms or online forums can help gauge the episode's popularity. The number of likes, shares, comments, or discussions about the episode can indicate the interest it generated among viewers.
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Critical responseThe reception of the episode by critics and media publications can be a factor in its popularity. Positive reviews or articles about the episode may contribute to increased viewership or generate more interest in the episode.
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Awards and recognitionEpisodes that have received awards or nominations for their storytelling, reporting, or visuals can be considered popular. Such recognition can boost the episode's visibility and viewership, contributing to its overall popularity.
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Subject matterThe episode's topic can also affect its popularity. Episodes that cover high-profile cases, unusual stories, or those featuring exclusive interviews or in-depth investigations may attract more viewers and spark greater interest.
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Audience responseGathering feedback from the episode's viewers can help determine its popularity. This can include audience surveys, testimonials, or anecdotal evidence from friends and family who have watched the episode. A high level of positive feedback suggests that the episode resonated with viewers and was well-liked.
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Retention and rewatchabilityEpisodes that are watched multiple times or have a high rate of retention (viewers staying engaged and watching the full episode) can be considered popular. A high rewatchability factor suggests that the episode was compelling enough for viewers to return to it or recommend it to others.
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Impact on follow-up storiesIf a Dateline episode leads to subsequent episodes or follow-up stories due to public interest or new developments in the case, it can be considered as a popular episode.
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Cultural relevanceSome episodes may become popular because they touch on current social issues or tie in with events happening in the real world. These episodes may resonate with viewers and contribute to a larger cultural conversation, thus increasing their popularity.
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Word-of-mouth and recommendationsIf an episode is frequently recommended or discussed among friends, family, or in public spaces, it can be considered popular. Word-of-mouth may indicate that the episode has made a lasting impression on viewers.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular Dateline episode. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or episode is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 7102 views
- 191 votes
- 10 ranked items
Movers & Shakers
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each episode once every 24 hours. The rank of each episode is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular dateline episode
Dateline is a popular American television news magazine program that has been on the air since 1992. The show covers a wide range of topics, from true crime and human interest stories to politics and celebrity interviews. Over the years, Dateline has produced hundreds of episodes that have captivated audiences with their compelling storytelling and in-depth investigative reporting. With so many memorable episodes to choose from, it's no wonder that fans of the show are always debating which one is the best. In this article, we'll explore some of the most popular Dateline episodes and examine why they continue to resonate with viewers.
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