In the ever-evolving world of streaming services, determining the true popularity of TV shows and movies has always been a challenge. Platforms like Netflix release their own rankings based on total views, while Nielsen provides viewership data for multiple streamers in the U.S. However, due to Netflix’s massive subscriber base of over 282 million, it often dominates the viewership numbers reported by Nielsen.
To address this disparity, consulting company Owl & Co. has introduced a new ranking system that weighs streaming viewership based on the size of each platform. For the month of October, the firm utilized Luminate’s Streaming Viewership data, which includes original and library content in the U.S. and is derived from a panel of 2.5 million homes. This approach aims to provide a more balanced view of the popularity of shows across different streaming services.
The ranking, calculated by dividing views by each platform’s reported or estimated subscriber base, produces what Owl & Co. founder Hernan Lopez calls “in-universe ratings.” This metric offers a unique perspective on streaming viewership and takes into account the varying sizes of streaming platforms. Additionally, it provides a “Live+28 days” analysis of streaming data, which helps to mitigate the impact of Netflix’s binge-release strategy on the rankings.
According to the latest findings, Netflix’s comedy “Nobody Wants This” claimed the top spot in the ranking for the specified period, with an impressive in-universe score of 20.4. The show, created by Erin Foster and produced by 20th Television, has been renewed for a second season by Netflix, following initial rejections from other networks and streamers. The high in-universe rating suggests that the show is likely to qualify for the WGA’s success-based bonus, rewarding writers for achieving significant viewership levels.
Surprisingly, the ranking also revealed that Paramount+’s “Tulsa King” Season 2, starring Sylvester Stallone, secured the second position, followed by Apple TV+’s “Shrinking” Season 2 in third place. Apple TV+ had a strong presence in the top rankings, with multiple shows achieving double-digit in-universe ratings. This level of success on Apple TV+ is a noteworthy achievement and signals a shift in the streaming landscape.
Overall, Owl & Co.’s weighted rankings offer a fresh perspective on the popularity of original streaming series and highlight the diversity of content across different platforms. As Lopez mentioned, this new ranking system is a work in progress, and further development will depend on the level of interest from industry stakeholders.
In conclusion, the evolving nature of streaming viewership metrics underscores the need for innovative approaches to measure the success of TV shows and movies in the digital era. Owl & Co.’s in-universe ranking provides a more nuanced understanding of streaming popularity and sets the stage for future advancements in the industry.
