Netflix’s ‘What We Watched’ Report Offers Comprehensive Analysis of 18,000 Titles and 100 Billion Hours Viewed
Since introducing its weekly Top 10 and Most Popular rankings in 2021, Netflix has outpaced nearly all other streaming services, except YouTube, in providing detailed insights into what its audience watches. To enhance transparency, Netflix has launched its new Engagement Report.
Netflix’s “What We Watched: A Netflix Engagement Report,” which is touted to be a semi-annual report, offers a comprehensive look at viewership, focusing on three key aspects: total viewing hours, global availability of shows, and their release dates.
The report’s first edition includes the stats for the period between Jan – June 2023, and it highlights the viewership of the shows, with “The Night Agent” season one leading the pack at over 812 million hours watched.
It’s followed closely by the second season of “Ginny & Georgia” with 665.1 million hours, “The Glory” season one at 622.8 million hours, the first season of “Wednesday” with 507.7 million hours, and “Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story” racking up 503 million hours. These figures are just the tip of the iceberg, as the full report encompasses over 18,000 titles, each surpassing the 50,000-hour viewing mark.
While Netflix has been providing weekly top 10 lists, this new report offers a more expansive look at the streaming platform’s data. The recent Writers Guild of America strike highlighted the importance of streaming data, leading to a new contract that mandates studios to share such information with the guild.
In a discussion with journalists, Netflix’s co-CEO Ted Sarandos touched upon the company’s evolving stance on data transparency. He recalled the early days when keeping data private was strategic for Netflix’s growth and how it initially benefited creators by reducing the pressure associated with traditional ratings and box office figures.
However, Sarandos acknowledged that this lack of transparency eventually led to distrust among producers and creators. He believes providing more detailed data will foster a healthier environment for the guild, Netflix, producers, creators, and the media. According to Sarandos, this report uses the same data that guides Netflix’s operational decisions.
Sarandos also sheds light on why “hours viewed” is a crucial metric for Netflix, citing its simplicity, alignment with external metrics like Nielsen, and effectiveness in comparing Netflix with other streaming services.
As for other streaming platforms, their willingness to share similar data remains to be seen. Inquiries have been sent to major players like Amazon (Amazon Prime), Apple (Apple TV Plus), Disney (Disney Plus and Hulu), and Warner Bros. Discovery (Max). NBCUniversal, which operates Peacock, opted not to comment on the matter.
Ragul Thangavel
With over nine years of diverse professional experience, Ragul has made significant contributions across various domains, including Media Operations, OTT Technologies, Video Production, Ecommerce, and Social Media.
Holding an Engineering degree, Ragul's career took an unconventional turn when he discovered his passion for writing, leading him to begin his journey as a content writer.
His career has been exclusively dedicated to the growth and development of startups, where he has played a pivotal role. His unique blend of technical knowledge and creative prowess has enabled him to drive innovation and success in every venture he has been a part of.