Streaming’s Most Watched Shows Aren’t What You Think (But You’ll Love Them)

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It appears that, contrary to what your colleagues might be discussing enthusiastically, the most-watched streaming series as per a recent Nielsen report aren’t the highly acclaimed dramas making headlines. Instead, it’s shows that people tend to rewatch frequently that are leading the pack in the streaming battle. The standout show is “Bluey” on Disney+, but surprisingly, it’s not just for kids – “Grey’s Anatomy” on Hulu and Netflix takes second place, followed closely by “NCIS” on Hulu, Netflix, and Paramount+. Overcoming the appeal of comfort-watching is an additional challenge new shows must face, which isn’t easy.

Among the streaming shows on Nielsen’s Top 20 list that released new seasons this year, there aren’t any completely fresh series to my delight. Following NCIS, you’ll find three animated favorites – Family Guy, Bob’s Burgers, and then Spongebob Squarepants. Further down the list, you’ll encounter stalwarts like The Big Bang Theory and The Rookie. At last, we get a streaming original at number nine: the captivating Squid Game, followed by another long-running procedural, Law & Order: SVU. Interestingly, Nielsen also included the number of episodes each show has, and 16 out of the top 20 have over 100 episodes.

As a devoted streamer myself, I’ve noticed a pattern in my viewing habits – it seems I primarily turn to streaming for binge-watching and revisiting familiar shows. Often, I find myself dozing off with a favorite series playing in the background or keeping it on while I work, cook, or tackle household chores. While these hours might not reflect active engagement with my TV, these top titles are the ones that streaming professionals and advertisers keep their eyes on.

This analysis offers a fresh viewpoint on the recurring articles discussing the imminent popping of the “streaming bubble.” The reality is, the industry struggles to produce instant masterpieces capable of captivating audiences for decades as was common with classic shows from the past, such exceptions being child-oriented series like Bluey. Even those streaming originals that have achieved success haven’t managed to churn out hundreds of episodes swiftly enough to become the “go-to” shows people crave, leaving it to long-running broadcast and cable series to fill those popular slots.

As a movie enthusiast, I must admit that some recently released shows, despite their grandeur and hefty price tags, have fallen short of the hype from my point of view. Take for instance “Bluey”, which was viewed for an astounding 25 billion minutes in just six months! It’s impressive to see it at number one on the list. “South Park” follows suit with a respectable 10.4 billion minutes watched. However, even though “Severance” has been a hot topic among fans, eagerly re-watching and dissecting every detail, it only managed to garner 9.2 billion minutes of viewership.

The much-anticipated “Andor”, the crown jewel of the Star Wars streaming era, comes in at a modest 5.7 billion minutes, and even the reality show phenomenon “Love Island USA” trails behind with 5.4 billion minutes. It’s fascinating to see such vast differences in viewership among these shows.

These kinds of insights are influencing the future of media, and that trend is expected to persist. Streaming platforms might adjust their approaches to unique content, but they won’t cease producing shows with skilled artists. As viewers, all we can do is keep enjoying our favorite shows and maybe even buy Bluey on DVD as a thoughtful gift for the kids in our lives.

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2025-07-15 23:41