Stranger Things vs Squid Game: What’s Hot in the World of Streaming - The Daily Charge Recap
Podcast: The Daily Charge
Published: 2022-08-04
Duration: 20 min
Summary
In this episode, the hosts discuss the streaming successes of Netflix's 'Stranger Things' and 'Squid Game', analyzing their viewing metrics and the implications of Netflix's growing global audience. They explore how these series reflect shifting trends in streaming and audience engagement.
What Happened
Art Chang and media expert Joan Salzman dive into the competition between Netflix's 'Stranger Things' and 'Squid Game', with a focus on their viewership numbers. Despite 'Stranger Things' being a massive hit, 'Squid Game' retains the title of Netflix's most-watched series, boasting 1.65 billion hours in its first month compared to 'Stranger Things' season four's 1.35 billion hours. Joan emphasizes that while Netflix measures success in hours watched within the first 28 days, the rapid growth of Netflix's subscriber base complicates direct comparisons over time.
Joan reflects on the surprising rise of 'Squid Game', noting its lack of a built-in audience compared to 'Stranger Things', which had established popularity since its debut in 2016. In that year, Netflix had only 94 million subscribers, whereas it nearly doubled to 222 million by the time 'Squid Game' was released. This increase in viewership means that new releases can tap into a much larger audience, influencing how series are perceived and ranked. The discussion raises questions about the future of Netflix's content strategy, especially in light of their evolving approach towards franchise development and risk management in movie production.
Key Insights
- Squid Game remains Netflix's biggest hit with 1.65 billion hours watched in its first month.
- Stranger Things season four is the closest competitor with 1.35 billion hours watched.
- Netflix's growing subscriber base has shifted the landscape for measuring show popularity over time.
- The success of Squid Game illustrates Netflix's ability to create global phenomena from unexpected hits.
Key Questions Answered
How does Netflix measure the success of its shows?
Netflix determines a show's popularity primarily by the number of hours watched within the first 28 days of its release. This method, while somewhat debatable, allows them to quantify interest and engagement across their vast subscriber base.
What are the viewing numbers for Squid Game compared to Stranger Things?
'Squid Game' achieved an astonishing 1.65 billion hours viewed in its first four weeks, making it Netflix's biggest hit. In contrast, 'Stranger Things' season four garnered 1.35 billion hours, falling 300,000 hours short of the record set by 'Squid Game'.
What factors contributed to the success of Squid Game?
The unexpected success of 'Squid Game' can be attributed to its unique premise and lack of a pre-existing audience. Unlike 'Stranger Things', which had established popularity since 2016, 'Squid Game' broke through as a surprise hit, demonstrating Netflix's effectiveness in reaching a global audience.
How has Netflix's subscriber growth influenced show popularity?
Netflix's subscriber base has grown significantly from 94 million in 2016 to nearly 222 million by the release of 'Squid Game'. This increase provides a larger pool of viewers for new releases, impacting how shows are ranked and perceived compared to earlier titles.
What is Netflix's approach to developing franchises?
Netflix has shown interest in developing franchises, as seen with the costly production of 'The Gray Man'. Despite its hefty $200 million budget, Netflix is cautious with investments and seeks data to justify future projects, which may lead to a focus on building franchises from successful films.