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State of the Screens

What Show Streamed More Than Squid Game?

By January 27, 2022February 3rd, 2022No Comments

2022-01-26_17-18-42

Big news: Americans spent 15M years (7.9T minutes) streaming movies and TV shows in 2021.

Big question #1: What were the most popular shows and movies?

Top original streaming shows of 2021 according to Nielsen:
1) Lucifer (Netflix)
2) Squid Game (Netflix)
3) Great British Baking Show (Netflix)
4) Virgin River (Netflix)
5) Bridgerton (Netflix)

Top acquired streaming shows of 2021 according to Nielsen:
1) Criminal Minds (Netflix)
2) CoCoMelon (Netflix)
3) Grey’s Anatomy (Netflix)
4) NCIS (Netflix)
5) Heartland (Netflix)

Top streaming movies of 2021 according to Nielsen:
1) Luca (Disney+)
2) Moana (Disney+)
3) Raya and the Last Dragon (Disney+)
4) Frozen II (Disney+)
5) Red Notice (Netflix)

Big question #2: Did people spend more time streaming in 2021 vs. 2020?

Quick answer: Unclear. Nielsen reports streaming has held steady at 28% since May.

Outstanding questions:

1) What will the first YoY number (May-22) for Nielsen Gauge look like for streaming?  Has streaming been flat in fall/winter due to popular linear content like college/NFL football, or is it something else?

Michael Beach

Michael Beach is the Chief Executive Officer of Cross Screen Media, a media analytics and software company that enables marketers to plan, activate, and measure CTV and linear TV at the local level. Michael is also the founder and editor of State of the Screens, a weekly newsletter focused on video advertising that is a must-read for thought leaders in the advertising industry. He has appeared in such publications as PBS Frontline, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Axios, CNBC and Bloomberg, and on NPR’s Planet Money podcast.