Netflix breaks tradition, finally releases first-ever viewer stats

 Netflix has unveiled detailed viewership data. (Courtesy)

Netflix has unveiled detailed viewership data, marking a notable departure from its past practices. 

The streaming giant, often criticized for its lack of transparency regarding content performance, released comprehensive ratings on its website on Tuesday. 

This disclosure, part of the company's semi-annual report, sheds light on the number of hours each show was viewed between January and June 2023.

The inaugural season of "The Night Agent," premiering on March 23, emerged as the most-watched Netflix show in the early months of 2023, amassing an impressive 812 million hours viewed in slightly over three months. 

Following closely was the second season of "Ginny & Georgia," securing the second spot with 665 million hours viewed six months after its release. Notably, the first season of "Ginny & Georgia," released in February 2021, garnered an additional 302 million hours in 2023.

For perspective, Netflix's engagement report included over 18,000 titles, encompassing 99 percent of its catalog. The cumulative viewing time surpassed 100 billion hours during the January to June period.

"The Night Agent" distinguished itself as the frontrunner, boasting 22 percent more views than the program securing second place. "The Glory" claimed the third spot with 622 million hours watched.

Additional noteworthy mentions include the comedy-horror show "Wednesday," released in November 2022, accumulating 508 million viewing hours. "Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story" secured 503 million hours. 

Notably, "You: Season 4," "La Reina del Sur: Season 3," and "Outer Banks: Season 3" garnered 441 million, 430 million, and 403 million hours viewed, respectively.

"Ginny & Georgia," in its first season, amassed 302 million hours, while "FUBAR: Season 1" rounded off the top 10 with 266 million hours watched.

Other standouts from the report include "Emily in Paris: Season 3" with 161 million hours, "Black Mirror: Season 6" with 140 million hours, and "Stranger Things 4" with 134 million hours.

Reality-dating show "Love Is Blind: Season 4" made a significant mark near the top of the list with 230 million hours viewed, while its first three seasons collectively garnered 11 million hours.

The top movie, "The Mother," starring Jennifer Lopez, claimed over 249 million hours in viewership.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's unprecedented six-part documentary series, chronicling their departure from royal life, captured a combined viewership of 62 million hours.

Conversely, at the bottom of the list, nearly 4,000 shows garnered a mere 100,000 hours viewed.

In response to the data release, Netflix emphasized that the number of hours watched does not singularly determine a show's success. The company highlighted that success takes various forms and sizes, influenced by audience enjoyment and the economic viability of each title.

"Success on Netflix comes in all shapes and sizes, and is not determined by hours viewed alone. We have enormously successful movies and TV shows with both lower and higher hours viewed. It's all about whether a movie or TV show thrilled its audience — and the size of that audience relative to the economics of the title," said Netflix.

With a global subscriber base approaching 250 million, Netflix remains the largest streaming service worldwide.