Image: Stranger Things, Netflix
This week, 09 – 15 April, Spongebob Squarepants remained the most in-demand show overall despite a double digit (10%) decline in demand. The ever-popular animated show had 60.2 times the average series demand in the United States for the week.
The Walking Dead also maintained its position as the third most in-demand series in the rankings with 51.9 times the average series demand, a 2% increase from last week. Game of Thrones moved up to fourth place this week after a further 3% increase in demand for the series. After HBO’s announcement of the release date for the upcoming prequel two weeks ago, there has been a small but noticeable and consistent uptick in demand for Game of Thrones as fans could be revisiting the show. As of this week, the series had 49.2 times more demand than the average show in the U.S.
AMC’s Better Call Saul entered the top ten charts this week as a result of an 11% increase in demand which came after the series returned to screens for its sixth season. The new season has been well received among audiences and critics, and the data reflects this as well. The show became the eighth most in-demand show in the U.S. this week, with 42.8 times the average series demand.
Stranger Things became the most in-demand digital original this week after Netflix dropped another trailer for the upcoming season on April 12. The new trailer also shed light on why Eleven left Hawkins, and clearly did what it was meant to do- ensure a revival of interest (more than usual) in the show. The series saw a 32% increase in demand and had 46.8 times the average series demand in the U.S.
Bridgerton moved to second place after a 15% decline in demand for the series this week. It was followed by HBO Max’s sleeper hit - Our Flag Means Death, which unlike Bridgerton still managed to impressively retain more or less the same level of demand as last week. The pirate comedy show had 39.1 times the average series demand and was the third most in-demand digital original in the U.S for the week.
Moon Knight moved up another two spots this week to become the fourth most in-demand digital original with 34.2 times the average series demand. Young Justice also managed to retain its position in the rankings this week in ninth place despite a 3% decrease in demand and had 25 times more demand than the average show.
Rounding up the list this week is The Book of Boba Fett, which made its way back into the top ten rankings this week following a 6% increase in demand. The increase in demand comes as we head closer to the next upcoming Star Wars show, Obi-Wan Kenobi (premiering May 27). This is not unexpected, as TBOBF explores Tatooine in a way no other series or movie has previously and gives fans an opportunity to familiarise themselves with the planet since Obi-Wan Kenobi is also “expected to spend quite a bit of time on Tatooine”. A similar trend was previously observed for The Mandalorian in the lead up to and days after the release of The Book of Boba Fett.
