Netflix Reveals Top Viewed Shows and Movies, Addressing Industry Demand for Transparency
ICARO Media Group
Netflix, the popular streaming giant, has finally unveiled its long-awaited viewership data, shedding light on the performance of its extensive line-up of content. The much-debated thriller series "The Night Agent" emerged as the top show, capturing the attention of subscribers who collectively spent a staggering 812 million hours engrossed in the ten-episode FBI drama starring Gabriel Basso.
This move towards transparency comes after Netflix faced criticism for its lack of openness regarding viewership statistics. The streaming service's disclosure revealed that "The Night Agent" dominated viewership, equivalent to nearly 100,000 years of watch time. This release of data is anticipated to pacify concerns expressed by the Hollywood writers and actors' unions, who went on grueling strikes to demand greater clarity on viewership figures.
Completing the top five most-watched shows were "Ginny & Georgia: Season 2," which logged an impressive 665.1 million hours, closely followed by "The Glory" with 662.8 million hours. The "Wednesday" spinoff of the iconic "Addams Family" franchise accumulated 507.7 million hours, while "Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story" captivated audiences with 503 million hours.
On the movie front, Jennifer Lopez's star-studded film "The Mother" secured the top spot with an impressive 249.9 million hours of viewership. Notably, "The Mother" ranked 14th among the most-viewed content overall.
Netflix's release of this data aims to provide creators and the industry with deeper insights into audience preferences and content resonance. The company's commitment to transparency was emphasized in their blog post, stating, "This is a big step forward for Netflix and our industry."
The report, titled "What We Watched," comprehensively ranks nearly all of Netflix's shows and movies based on the number of hours viewed over the past six months. Netflix co-chief executive officer, Ted Sarandos, revealed that updated reports will be released every six months moving forward, signaling the streaming giant's dedication to openness and accountability.
Sarandos believes that this level of transparency creates a favorable environment for industry guilds, producers, creators, and the press. He emphasized the significance of sharing accurate information, especially given Netflix's status as a publicly traded company.
The report, encompassing viewership data from January to June, unveiled that original films and series accounted for 55% of Netflix's viewing, while licensed titles made up the remaining 45%. Netflix affirmed that the report's extensive data was derived from more than 18,000 titles, covering 99% of its total viewing, and encompassed all titles that received over 50,000 hours of watch time.
The release of Netflix's full report and rankings is anticipated to usher in a new era of transparency and understanding within the industry, addressing the demands of unions and providing valuable insights for creators. With its commitment to regular reporting, Netflix aims to maintain a transparent ecosystem that supports the diverse needs of its creators, viewers, and stakeholders.
Read Netflix's full report and rankings here.