Netflix shares detailed viewership data for 18,000 titles
Netflix Releases Viewership Data for the First Time
Streaming platform Netflix has finally answered the long-standing request for viewership data by releasing it for the first time ever.
The company’s report, titled “What We Watched: A Netflix Engagement Report,” will now be published twice a year, according to a company memo. While Netflix has been sharing weekly top 10 lists for movies and TV series since 2021, this comprehensive report marks a significant step forward.
The report provides detailed information on the number of hours viewed for each title, including both original and licensed content, that has been watched for over 50,000 hours. It also includes the premiere dates of Netflix TV series and films, as well as the global availability of each title.
This in-depth report covers viewership data from January to June 2023, encompassing a total of 18,000 titles. The top five most-watched titles during this period were “The Night Agent,” season 1 (812,100,000 hours), “Ginny & Georgia,” season 2 (665,100,000 hours), “The Glory,” season 1 (662,800,000 hours), “Wednesday,” season 1 (507,700,000 hours), and “Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story” (503,000,000 hours).
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“This is a big step forward for Netflix and our industry. We believe the viewing information in this report — combined with our weekly Top 10 and Most Popular lists — will give creators and our industry deeper insights into our audiences, and what resonates with them,” states the memo.
According to Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos, measuring engagement through viewing hours is the most effective method. “It’s easy to understand. It mirrors third parties like Nielsen in the US. It makes Netflix very easy to compare to other streaming services,” Sarandos explained during a conference call, as reported by CNN Business.
This move by Netflix comes in response to the recent WGA (Writers Guild of America) strike, which was partly fueled by a lack of transparency from streaming companies regarding their data. In the contract ratified in October, Netflix committed to being more transparent and sharing this type of information.
Sarandos acknowledged that the absence of transparent data had created mistrust among producers, creators, and the press over time. He stated, “The unintended consequence of not having more transparent data about our engagement was it created an atmosphere of mistrust over time with producers and creators and the press about what was happening.”
How does Netflix’s measurement of viewership data for shows like “Tiger King” and ”The Crown” differ from traditional television networks, and what implications does this have for the streaming industry
Eriod were the original TV series “Stranger Things,” followed by “The Witcher,” “Money Heist,” ”The Crown,” and “Tiger King,” according to the report.
The release of viewership data is a significant move for Netflix, as it has long been criticized for keeping its viewership numbers private. The company has built its success on the subscription-based model, where it charges a monthly fee for unlimited access to its library of content. By not sharing viewership data, Netflix has avoided comparisons with traditional television networks and maintained a sense of mystery around the popularity of its shows and movies.
However, in recent years, there has been a growing demand for transparency in the streaming industry. Other platforms such as Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ have started sharing viewership data for their most popular shows and movies, allowing industry analysts and viewers alike to gauge the popularity and success of their content.
Netflix’s decision to release viewership data comes at a time when the streaming landscape is becoming increasingly competitive. With the rise of new players in the market, such as Apple TV+ and HBO Max, Netflix is feeling the pressure to stay ahead and retain its subscriber base. By sharing viewership data, the company can demonstrate the strength of its content library and attract new subscribers who are looking for popular and high-quality shows and movies.
Additionally, the release of viewership data can be beneficial for content creators and filmmakers. By knowing how many people are watching their work and which titles are the most popular, creators can gain valuable insights into audience preferences and tailor their future projects accordingly. This can lead to a more targeted and successful content strategy, ultimately benefiting both the creators and the viewers.
However, it is important to note that Netflix’s viewership data has its limitations. The company measures viewership based on accounts that have watched at least two minutes of a TV show or movie. This metric does not take into account the duration or completion rate of the content viewed. Additionally, the data does not differentiate between individual viewers or multiple viewers using the same account.
Nevertheless, the release of viewership data by Netflix is a step towards greater transparency in the streaming industry. It allows viewers to have a better understanding of the popularity of different shows and movies and enables content creators to make more informed decisions about their future projects. As the streaming landscape continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how other platforms respond and whether this move by Netflix will set a new standard for the industry.
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