Netflix publishes unprecedented report on viewing figures for 2023

Los Gatos, California - Netflix for the first time published detailed viewing figures about thousands of its shows and movies Tuesday, offering an unprecedented glimpse into the world-leading streaming platform's top hits and highest-profile flops.

Netflix released its first-ever detailed look into viewing figures on the platform and promised to publish regular reports every six months.
Netflix released its first-ever detailed look into viewing figures on the platform and promised to publish regular reports every six months.  © 123RF/davidtran07

The report, which Netflix says will be repeated every six months, is a major departure for a company that has historically guarded its data closely, but came under renewed pressure to be more transparent during strikes this year by Hollywood writers' and actors' unions.

"This is a big step forward for Netflix and our industry," the company said in a press release.

"We believe the viewing information in this report... will give creators and our industry deeper insights into our audiences, and what resonates with them."

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Since 2021, Netflix has released weekly Top 10 lists, and a regularly updated "most popular" leaderboard based on views within a title's first 91 days on the platform.

But the biannual new publication, entitled What We Watched: A Netflix Engagement Report, goes further.

A new spreadsheet contains data for all shows that were watched by Netflix users for more than 50,000 hours – that is 18,000 titles in total, representing 99% of all viewing on Netflix.

What were the most viewed Netflix shows in 2023?

The data only covers the period of January to June 2023, meaning that films and series released during that time fared better.

Topping the chart was season one of The Night Agent, an action-thriller that debuted in March, drawing more than 812 million hours watched globally.

Other high-profile Netflix titles performing well were Wednesday, You, and Bridgerton spin-off series Queen Charlotte.

Non-English language shows were well-represented, generating 30% of all viewing – most notably Korean and Spanish-language titles.

Netflix releases figures after long stand-off with unions

Unions representing actors and screenwriters clashed with Netflix and other streaming services over residuals, which are partly based on viewing figures.
Unions representing actors and screenwriters clashed with Netflix and other streaming services over residuals, which are partly based on viewing figures.  © REUTERS

The lack of transparency among streaming platforms including Netflix, Apple, and Prime Video has long been a bugbear of Hollywood agents, journalists, and the stars themselves.

But it came into stark focus during this year's Hollywood strikes.

Striking actors and writers, previously accustomed to receiving residuals whenever their shows drew large audiences on television networks, this summer demanded new mechanisms to similarly reward them for hit shows on streaming.

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Deals struck with those unions to end the strikes did contain bonuses for successful shows, but did not require streamers to publicly release any data.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos denied that the new initiative was triggered by talks with those guilds, but that he hoped it would create "a better environment" for everyone involved.

Cover photo: 123RF/davidtran07

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