What is Halt and Catch Fire's IQ Score?

Halt and Catch Fire has an IQ Score of 179/200 on TV Intelligentsia's Intelligence Quotient framework, placing it in the Masterclass tier. The score breaks down to 47/50 Cognitive Stimulation, 43/50 Educational Value, and 44/50 Craft & Quality.

Is Halt and Catch Fire educational?

Halt and Catch Fire is strong on educational value, 43/50 on TVI's rubric, which covers academic content, emotional intelligence, critical thinking, life skills, and knowledge transfer.

How does TV Intelligentsia calculate IQ Score?

TV Intelligentsia's IQ Score is calculated as round((Cognitive Stimulation × 0.4 + Educational Value × 0.35 + Craft & Quality × 0.25) × 4), scoring titles from 0 to 200 across five tiers: Masterclass (≥160), Stimulating (≥130), Competent (≥100), Passive (≥70), and Numbing (<70). The framework is published at tvintelligentsia.com/methodology/.

Halt and Catch Fire , IQ Score 179/200

Halt and Catch Fire has an IQ Score of 179/200 on TV Intelligentsia's Intelligence Quotient rubric, placing it in the Masterclass tier.

By Jordan Robinson, MPH·Updated 2026-05-21·Methodology

dramahistorical

179/ 200

Masterclass TVI Essential

Measurably increases domain knowledge or cognitive capacity

Halt and Catch Fire poster, IQ Score 179/200, Masterclass tier on TV Intelligentsia

Score Breakdown

Cognitive Stimulation/50

Educational Value/50

Craft & Quality/50

Cinematic Score/50

IQ = round((Cognitive × 0.4 + Educational × 0.35 + Craft × 0.25) × 4) · How we score →

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Why you should trust this score

Methodology reviewed by Jordan Robinson, MD, MPH

Physician scientist. Master of Public Health, with substantial coursework in research methodology. Reviews the rubric and its application across the adult catalog.

Methodology

Published rubric, v1.2

Formula

round(C × 0.40 + E × 0.35 + Q × 0.25) × 4

Database scale

2,282 titles, version-controlled

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TVI Essential · Consensus

Halt and Catch Fire scores 179/200 on the TVI IQ Score, placing it in the Masterclass tier. Pioneers compete in the personal computer industry in 1980s Texas. Educational about computing history and entrepreneurship, earning Cultural Impact, Intellectual Substance, Rewatch Value, and Lasting Significance. TVI Essential is an editorial designation; IQ Score is a content rating, not an intelligence measurement.

The TVI Take

Pioneers compete in the personal computer industry in 1980s Texas. Educational about computing history and entrepreneurship.

Cognitive engagement from the technical innovation and character ambition. Entertainment from the period detail.

Where to Watch

Stream