The streaming industry has experienced a transformative growth over the last few years. According to the recent Nielsen Streaming Report of 2023, two popular series, ‘Suits’ and ‘The Office,’ have not only retained their traction among global audiences but have also defined new records.
‘Suits,’ produced by Aaron Korsh, despite being off-the-air since 2019, has gained tremendous recognition from streamers, securing fourth place on Nielsen’s top 10 most-streamed acquired series list. The sophisticated legal drama revolving around talented college dropout Mike Ross, who starts working with Harvey Specter, a prodigy of law, has delivered memorable dialogues and an enthralling narrative that continues to attract viewers worldwide.
Meanwhile, ‘The Office,’ often celebrated for its office humor and relatable characters, cherishes an impressive performance on the streaming platform too. The mockumentary sitcom stands at the fifth spot on Nielsen’s Top 10 list. Its unique, cringe comedy and outlandish persona of the character Michael Scott, remarkably portrayed by Steve Carell, is its driving force, contributing to its perpetual viewership.
The Nielsen Streaming Report, a remarkable yardstick for measuring content consumption trends, informed these insights. By studying and analyzing the vital data, they have shed a light on the constantly shifting patterns in audiences’ streaming habits.
In 2023, there were approximately 817 billion minutes of ‘Suits’ streamed globally, while ‘The Office’ was closely following behind with 784 billion minutes. For comparison, ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ which ranked first, clocked in at approximately 852 billion minutes.
The report also highlighted interesting trends about the consumers. Apart from the favorite genres, it was noted that streaming is no longer an activity limited to younger generations only. Older individuals are also embracing digital platforms, finding solace in the world of streaming, where they have an array of choices at their fingertips.
Addressing a pivotal shift, the report emphasized a correlation between the viewership and seasons of the shows. For ‘Suits,’ the viewership peaked during the mid-seasons, notably season five and six, whereas for ‘The Office,’ seasons three and four saw the highest viewership. This phenomenon possibly relates to how audiences connect with recurring characters and narratives as they experience the dynamic growth of the characters and evolving storyline.
Apart from ‘Suits’ and ‘The Office,’ other series that made it to Nielsen’s top 10 list include ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ ‘Criminal Minds,’ ‘Shameless,’ amongst others. All these shows share a common attribute: They have exceeded their original broadcast or cable run, yet they continue to enjoy a popular viewership on streaming platforms.
As the streaming world continues to evolve, content preferences also undergo interesting shifts. The user-friendly nature and endless variety offered by these platforms are the prime factors that lure audiences away from traditional TV.
The continuous change in viewers’ habits and preferences needs meticulous study and strategic analysis. Nielsen’s comprehensive tracking and reporting are invaluable to understand the needs of a shifting demographic and their preferences. This data-centric approach can help content creators identify the pulse of their viewers, helping them create appealing and memorable content that would stand the test of time.
The rising popularity of streamed shows like ‘Suits’ and ‘The Office’ showcases how past series can successfully resurrect on digital platforms. The dynamic world of streaming media is a gold mine for content creators and platforms to understand and cater to the unique preferences, behaviors, and evolving requirements of their audience. With Nielsen’s data-driven insights, the future of content in the global streaming platforms seems promising – a unique blend of old favorites and fresh content.
