The most popular shows on streaming services are old favorites. According to Nielsen, The Office, Grey’s Anatomy, and Criminal Minds are the three TV shows people spent the most time watching on major streaming services in the U.S. last year—and they all premiered on network TV “more than a decade and a half ago.” The series all have “hundreds” of older episodes on streamers like Netflix, and “each accounted for more viewing time than any other show or movie, new or old”—and they’re some of Gen Z and Millennials’ favorites too. The findings seemingly confirm that American audiences favor “comfort and escapist entertainment” in the midst of a pandemic and political upheaval. YPulse’s Content Cure research found that a majority of Gen Z and Millennials turn to their favorite shows and movies as a way to cheer them up. (NYTimes)
