Viewers are voting with their screens, and the verdict is clear. Nielsen's newly released Top 20 streaming charts for the first half of the year reveal an overwhelming preference for acquired content over original programs.
The Numbers Tell the Story
The beloved children's series Bluey dominated the charts with an impressive 25.1 billion minutes viewed between January and June. Even at the bottom of the list, Comedy Central's controversial South Park pulled in a remarkable 10.5 billion minutes in the 20th spot.
Originals Struggle to Break Through
Only three original series made the overall top 20: Netflix's Squid Game and The Night Agent, along with Prime's Reacher. Notably, Squid Game — which has maintained a devoted following since its 2021 debut — was the sole original to crack the top 10, amassing over 15 billion viewing minutes.
What makes this performance particularly striking is that these figures represent only the aftermath of Season 2's January release, excluding both its initial days of availability and the late June Season 3 premiere. The true impact is likely even greater than reported.
Rewatch Culture Drives Surprising Rankings
The originals-only chart revealed another surprise: Stranger Things clocked in at No. 17 with just over 5 billion minutes viewed. While this may seem modest at first glance, consider this remarkable fact — the series hasn't released new episodes in three years, proving that fans are enthusiastically rewatching the show ahead of its upcoming final season.
One truth remains undeniable in the streaming landscape: viewers consistently return to the content they love most, whether it's new releases or timeless favorites.
