Netflix finally unveils viewing data, touted as ‘big step forward’
New data shows rising frustration with streaming price hikes and the popularity of local content. Photo: TND
For the first time, Netflix has released information about what users are watching and how many hours have been spent in front of their screens.
On Wednesday, the streamer vowed that going forward it would release What We Watched: A Netflix Engagement Report twice a year.
“Since launching our weekly Top 10 and Most Popular lists in 2021, Netflix has provided more information about what people are watching than any other streamer except YouTube,” the company said in a statement.
“And now we believe it’s time to go further.”
The report shows all the hours viewed for every title, with Netflix originals or licensed.
Among those on the list was Celeste Barber’s Netflix show, Wellmania, which was axed earlier this year.
Barber played the lead role in the eight-episode series and for a time it was the No.2 most popular show on Netflix in Australia.
In an Instagram post, Barber said the reason Netflix gave her for not renewing the show was due to “numbers”, but Wellmania actually did pretty well.
Viewers spent 41,300,000 hours watching the show since it premiered in March and it sits 400th place on the list.
“I’m bummed that I can no longer explore that excellent character of Liv Healy, and I know a lot of you saw yourselves in that character and wanted to see more, but this industry is kinda bulls–t,” she said.
“As I said though, f–k, with the state of the world it’s not the biggest thing, but I just wanted to give you an update.
“Kiss your babies, watch Friends … Maybe not on Netflix though. Maybe pull out an old DVD.”
Genevieve Mooy with Celeste Barber and Lachlan Buchanan in Wellmania. Photo: Netflix
The most popular shows and movies on Netflix
The trove of data also showcases the most popular movies and TV shows on the streaming platform.
The Night Agent, which came out in March was by far the most viewed item on the platform, with 812,100,000 hours viewed, according to Netflix.
The streaming giant also noted that new offerings like The Diplomat, Beef, The Glory, Alpha Males, FUBAR and Fake Profile generated new fandoms.
Returning favourites were also popular between January and June, with the second season of Ginny & Georgia sitting in second place overall.
Most watched titles on Netflix
- The Night Agent, Season 1
- Ginny & Georgia, Season 2
- The Glory, Season 1
- Wednesday, Season 1
- Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story
- You, Season 4
- La Reina del Sur, Season 3
- Outer Banks, Season 3
- Ginny & Georgia, Season 1
- FUBAR, Season 1
Despite providing the numbers, Netflix warned that success is not solely determined by hours viewed.
“We have enormously successful movies and TV shows with both lower and higher hours viewed,” Netflix said.
“It’s all about whether a movie or TV show thrilled its audience – and the size of that audience relative to the economics of the title.”
More than 18,000 titles were featured on the list, showcasing Netflix Originals and licensed content.
Tweet from @netflix
A ‘big step forward’
Many of the actors and writers who went on respective strikes were eager for more transparency around the content on streaming services, particularly what is being watched.
Both unions eventually reached agreements with the studios, after several months of being on strike.
Upon releasing the report, Netflix said it believed doing so is a “big step forward” for he company and the industry as a whole.
“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.”
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