Netflix has released its second What We Watched report, providing a wealth of data and insights into viewer behavior during the second half of 2023. The report, which covers 99% of all viewing activity on Netflix, reveals several key trends:
- Enduring Popularity of Returning Favorites: Established shows like Lupin, The Witcher, and Virgin River continue to draw audiences, particularly when new seasons are released. The report highlights the importance of investing in and developing strong intellectual property (IP) that resonates with viewers over time.
- The Power of Adaptations: The live-action adaptation of the popular anime One Piece more than doubled viewership of the existing anime film and series. This demonstrates the potential of reimagining beloved stories for new audiences and across different formats. Similarly, the reality competition spin-off Squid Game: The Challenge increased viewership for the original series by 34%, even three years after its premiere. This trend suggests that well-executed adaptations and companion content can not only expand the reach of established franchises but also reignite interest in the original works.
- Global Appeal of Non-English Content: The report underscores the growing popularity of non-English language stories on Netflix. Korean, Spanish, and Japanese shows and movies are particularly in demand, capturing nearly a third of all viewing outside of English. Stand-out titles include Dear Child (Germany), Forgotten Love (Poland), Pact of Silence (Mexico), Mask Girl (Korea), Yu Yu Hakusho (Japan), Berlin (Spain), and The Railway Men (India). This trend reflects Netflix’s commitment to creating and showcasing international content that resonates with global audiences.
- Massive Audience Engagement: The report reveals the staggering scale of audience engagement on Netflix. Viewers watched a collective 90 billion hours of content on the platform in the second half of 2023 alone, solidifying Netflix’s position as a leading destination for streaming entertainment.
- Diverse Content to Suit All Tastes: The most-watched titles on Netflix encompass a wide range of genres, catering to viewers with varied preferences. Sports documentaries like BECKHAM, Untold: Johnny Football, and Quarterback are gaining traction, while reality TV shows like Is It Cake?, Love is Blind, and The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On continue to spark conversation and engagement. Kids and family titles like Gabby’s Dollhouse, Family Switch, and The Monkey King represent a significant portion of viewership, demonstrating Netflix’s commitment to providing content for the whole family. Licensed content also remains popular, with series like Young Sheldon, Grey’s Anatomy, Gossip Girl, and Gilmore Girls attracting millions of viewers. Notably, Suits alone garnered a whopping 144 million views across its nine seasons during the second half of 2023. This data highlights the depth and breadth of Netflix’s content library, which caters to a diverse range of viewer preferences.
