Image: The Walking Dead, AMC
This week, August 14 – 20, Spongebob Squarepants continues to remain the most in-demand show in the US. The beloved series had clocked 82.5 times the demand of the average series for the week, a 13% increase in demand since last week. This increase was a little unexpected, and could be because of quite a few reasons – since the past week, many fans have been engaging in hot debates around the spinoff series, The Patrick Star Show, and most recently ViacomCBS filed a lawsuit against a Spongebob Squarepants themed restaurant ‘rip-off’, drawing more attention and curiosity to the series. Regardless of the reason, it seems to be working out well for the show.
As predicted last week, Rick and Morty slid further down the charts to the tenth spot on the list. It is likely that the show, which had 40.5 times the average series demand, might not make it to the top 10 lists next week given the surge in demand for other series. The Walking Dead is now the fifth most in-demand series in the US this week, with 49.7 times the average demand for a show. This 8% increase in demand was not unexpected, given that the show’s season 11 premiered on 22nd August. The episode ended with a very shocking cliffhanger, and has already stirred up its fans, so we expect to see it continue to rise up the charts in the next few weeks with new episode releases. NBC’s Saturday Night Live also had a 10% spike in demand, following a week of scandal surrounding an ex-SNL star, and the resurfacing of a controversial video from 2001 on the invasion of Afghanistan. The long-running show clocked in 47 times the average series demand this week and was the fifth most in-demand series in the US.
Attack on Titan also had a 12% spike in demand, bringing the show back into the top 10 list from the fourteenth to the ninth position with 40.6 times the average demand for a series in the US this week. This spike could be attributed to the recent announcement of the release date for the second part of its final season, or to the news that the ever popular show will be having a live streamed orchestra to which fans will be able to purchase tickets and watch in real time. The concert will be featuring voice actors from the series, and seems to be a great way to allow fans to feel connected to the characters as well, which is a novelty for the anime genre.
Among digital originals this week Titans has officially won the race and climbed up to be the most in-demand series with 50.83 times the average series demand. This whopping 39% increase in demand comes after the show released the fourth episode of its third season on the 19th. The series will continue releasing new episodes through mid-October, so we expect to see further spikes in demand in the coming weeks for this show as well.
Stranger Things slid to second place above Ted Lasso this week with 44.2 times the average series demand. Since Stranger Things still has a few months to go before the next season release, and with Ted Lasso still going strong, it seems that the race for the second position is now between these two titles.
