Many of the most in-demand shows in the world have been streamed on demand.
The Max (formerly HBO Max) “Game of Thrones” prequel “House of the Dragon,” Amazon’s
AMZN,
twisted superhero series “The Boys” and Netflix
NFLX,
hits “Stranger Things” and “Bridgerton” are among the most in-demand TV series featured in the 2024 Guinness World Records.
Being “in-demand” is a metric developed by TV data firm Parrot Analytics, which measures several factors including which shows are attracting high-value customers to a streaming service, which series are retaining high-risk customers for the streaming service, as well as which series are acquiring customers at the lowest cost.
Related: What’s coming to Hulu in October 2023 — and what’s leaving
Also read: More monthly streaming picks at What’s Worth Streaming
Parrot Analytics partnered with the latest edition of the Guinness World Records to highlight the most in-demand shows in genres such as comedy, drama and romance across the world between Jan. 31, 2022 and Jan. 30, 2023.
Several TV shows from streaming studios including Netflix, Amazon and Max from Warner Bros. Discovery
WBD,
came out on top, although the Paramount-owned
PARA,
CBS, Nickelodeon and VH1 also broke through in a couple of categories.
These are the 10 most in-demand TV series by genre, according to the 2024 Guinness World Records:
- Most in-demand comedy: “The Big Bang Theory” (CBS) with 45.9 times the global average
- Most in-demand soap opera: “Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai” (Star Plus) with 28.8 times the global average
- Most in-demand anime: “Attack On Titan” (MBS) with 68.2 times the global average
- Most in-demand TV series debut: “House of the Dragon” (Max) with 114.9 times the global average
- Most in-demand superhero series: “The Boys” (Amazon Prime Video) with 55.3 times the global average
- Most in-demand romantic drama: “Bridgerton” (Netflix) with 33.9 times the global average
- Most in-demand reality show: “RuPaul’s Drag Race” (VH1) with 22.1 times the global average
- Most in-demand drama: “Stranger Things” (Netflix) with 104.3 times the global average
- Most in-demand documentary: “Formula 1: Drive To Survive” (Netflix) with 19.2 times the global average
- Most in-demand children’s show: “Spongebob Squarepants” (Nickelodeon) with 47.9 times the global average
Some of these should come as little surprise. Season four of “Stranger Things” racked up more than 1 billion hours watched on Netflix in just its first month, and marketing analysts previously told MarketWatch that the show’s product visibility was worth up to $25 million for Coke, Jif and other brands. And “House of the Dragon” also roared out of the gate last year, setting a viewership record of almost 10 million for its series premiere.
“In the age of countless viewing options, it’s truly compelling to discern which TV shows and talent capture the hearts and minds of audiences globally,” said Guinness World Records editor-in-chief Craig Glenday in a statement. “Our recent Guinness World Records titleholders not only indicate a show’s global fan demand but also highlight the insatiable and ever-evolving tastes of viewers from different corners of the world”
The Guinness and Parrot Analytics announcement comes at a pivotal moment for the TV and entertainment industry, however. The WGA and SAG-AFTRA are independently striking against the AMPTP over issues surrounding artificial intelligence, residual payments and length of employment agreements, among other concerns. Some analysts have estimated that the work stoppage has cost the economy of California $5 billion in total. So the future seasons of many of these series remain up in the air while negotiations continue.
Read more: Netflix criticized for posting AI jobs paying up to $900,000 while writers and actors are on strike
The AMPTP, which includes studios such as Disney
DIS,
Amazon, Warner Bros.
WBD,
and Netflix, recently agreed to resume negotiations this week with the WGA, and CNBC reported the two sides are close to a deal. And shares of some streaming companies and major studios were higher on Thursday, amid media reports that the unions representing writers and producers are close to an agreement to end a months-long strike.
Read more: Netflix, Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery shares higher on hopes for end to writers’ strike
This story originally appeared on Marketwatch
