Netflix and other streaming services don’t usually like to release viewership information, so we’re very happy that Nielsen is finally tracking streaming numbers. Hooray for outside sources!
And how are the streaming wars going? Well, Netflix is still embarrassingly far ahead of most of the competition, with only a few Disney+ programs breaking into the top 10 lists of most-watched original series, acquired series and movies for the week of April 19-25. That said, the most watched original series over that period was The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, with 796 million minutes viewed. That was the week of the series finale. Clearly, Disney’s Marvel TV show gambit is paying off big time.
Hot on its heels was Netflix’s new fantasy show Shadow and Bone, which racked up 721 million minutes watched. That’s an excellent start for a new series, and begs the question why Netflix hasn’t already announced a renewal. We’re waiting, Netflix.
The most watched series and movies on streaming
Here’s all the info, courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter:
Original Series
- The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (Disney+), 796 million minutes viewed
- Shadow and Bone (Netflix), 721 million
- The Circle (Netflix), 630 million
- The Crown (Netflix), 298 million
- Them (Amazon), 284 million
- The Great British Baking Show (Netflix), 210 million
- Lucifer (Netflix), 201 million
- The Serpent (Netflix), 200 million
- Life in Color With David Attenborough (Netflix), 189 million
- Dad Stop Embarrassing Me (Netflix), 146 million
I’m impressed to see The Crown hanging in there.
Acquired Series
- NCIS (Netflix), 890 million minutes
- Grey’s Anatomy (Netflix), 720 million
- Criminal Minds (Netflix), 630 million
- Cocomelon (Netflix), 584 million
- The Baker and the Beauty (Netflix), 495 million
- Heartland (Netflix), 464 million
- Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn (Netflix), 364 million
- Schitt’s Creek (Netflix), 346 million
- Supernatural (Netflix), 327 million
- Gilmore Girls (Netflix), 294 million
If Friends and The Office hadn’t moved to HBO Max and Peacock respectively, they’d probably be on that list. This is all Netflix.
Movies
- Stowaway (Netflix), 359 million minutes
- Thunder Force (Netflix), 318 million
- Synchronic (Netflix), 218 million
- Moana (Disney+), 185 million
- American Me (Netflix), 132 million
- Frozen (Disney+), 120 million
- Frozen II (Disney+), 116 million
- Raya and the Last Dragon (Disney+), 110 million
- The Little Rascals (Netflix), 95 million
- Soul (Disney+), 88 million
The first Frozen is more watched than Frozen II, interestingly.
And the Streaming Wars rage on.
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