Netflix made a groundbreaking move by publishing detailed viewership figures for thousands of its shows and movies, providing an unprecedented look into the performance of its content. This shift, outlined in the “What We Watched: A Netflix Engagement Report,” is a significant departure from the company’s traditional practice of closely guarding its data.
The report, slated to be released biannually, includes a comprehensive spreadsheet with data on shows watched for over 50,000 hours, covering 18,000 titles and representing 99 percent of all viewing on Netflix during the first half of 2023.
Among the notable successes highlighted in the report, the US action-thriller “The Night Agent” emerged as the top performer, garnering over 812 million hours watched globally. Other popular titles mentioned include “Wednesday,” “You,” and the “Bridgerton” spin-off series “Queen Charlotte.” Interestingly, non-English language shows, particularly those in Korean and Spanish, were well-represented, constituting 30 percent of all viewing.
This newfound transparency comes in response to increased pressure on streaming platforms, including Netflix, from Hollywood writers’ and actors’ unions, particularly during strikes earlier in the year. While Netflix had previously released weekly Top 10 lists, this report goes further, providing deeper insights into audience preferences. The move is seen as a positive development for creators, industry stakeholders, and the press, fostering a more transparent and informed environment in the rapidly evolving landscape of streaming entertainment.
In discussions with reporters on Tuesday, Ted Sarandos, co-CEO of Netflix, refuted any suggestion that the initiation of this new initiative was prompted by discussions with the guilds.
He stated that Netflix in its early years “did not want to provide roadmaps to future competitors” by sharing valuable data.
However, the adherence to that policy had gradually fostered an atmosphere of mistrust over time, prompting the company to adopt a more transparent approach as streaming gained mainstream popularity.
“This has been on a continuum for several years. So this is not driven by anything differently than that,” he further said.
“This is probably more information than you need. But I think it creates a better environment for the guilds, for us, for the producers, for creators, and for the press,” he added.
