{"id":2481104,"date":"2026-06-29T21:49:49","date_gmt":"2026-06-29T21:49:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2481104"},"modified":"2026-06-29T21:49:49","modified_gmt":"2026-06-29T21:49:49","slug":"netflix-and-superheroes-are-having-a-rough-stretch-on-streaming","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/netflix-and-superheroes-are-having-a-rough-stretch-on-streaming\/","title":{"rendered":"Netflix and Superheroes Are Having a Rough Stretch on Streaming…."},"content":{"rendered":"

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(Welcome to my weekly streaming ratings report, the single best guide to what\u2019s popular in streaming TV and what isn\u2019t. I\u2019m the Entertainment Strategy Guy, a former streaming executive who now analyzes business strategy in the entertainment industry. If you were forwarded this email, <\/span>please subscribe<\/a> to get these insights each week.)<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/h5>\n

I have a quick prediction before we start today\u2019s article:<\/p>\n

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You might see this data in future news articles.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Not my specific charts or analysis, but the core trend I\u2019ve been monitoring\u2014Netflix is having a lackluster Q2\u2014will become inescapable. Often, folks want to know \u201cWhat does the data say?\u201d Well, that\u2019s what it says.<\/p>\n

I haven\u2019t seen this analysis hit the trades really yet, but I have a feeling some other outlets are going to start making this case soon. Remember, you read it here first.<\/p>\n

You probably have read about the problems <\/span>facing superhero films at the box office<\/a> this weekend. Well, this week, I explore whether superheroes are dying on TV as well! And the data says: definitely maybe!<\/span><\/p>\n

We have a lot to cover in today\u2019s Streaming Ratings Report, which covers the two weeks of 18-May and 25-May. Today, I\u2019m just looking at TV, like Netflix\u2019s disappointing Q2, superhero shows underwhelming, a few TV shows dropping off the charts, <\/span>The Pitt<\/em> finally ending its epic run on the viewership charts (and whether \u201cview counts\u201d change its status as one of the biggest shows of all time), all the flops, bombs and misses, and a whole lot more. Tomorrow, I\u2019ve got a great rundown of the film side of things.<\/span><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s dive right in!<\/p>\n

(Reminder: The streaming ratings report focuses on the U.S. market and compiles data from Nielsen\u2019s weekly <\/span>top ten viewership ranks<\/a>, Luminate\u2019s Top Ten Data, <\/span>Showlabs<\/a>, <\/span>TV Time<\/a> trend data, Samba TV household viewership, company <\/span>datecdotes<\/a>, Netflix hours viewed data, Google Trends, and IMDb to determine the most popular content. While most data points are current, Nielsen\u2019s data covers the weeks of May 18th to May 31st, 2026.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

You can find a link to my terminology here<\/a>.)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Having analyzed streaming ratings for going on half a decade, I have learned to trust my gut, but I\u2019m always relieved when I can find actual data to back it up.<\/p>\n

For example, after a string of very popular shows like <\/span>Stranger Things, Bridgerton, The Lincoln Lawyer<\/em> and <\/span>The Night Agent<\/em> came out, week after week, in January and February, my gut wondered if Netflix <\/span>had enough new and returning TV shows<\/a> to sustain them throughout the year.<\/span><\/p>\n

Since then, Netflix\u2019s post-March slate of shows has not impressed me. This week seemed to feature a potential new hit, but then, like a classic Duffer Bros. TV show, there was a twist. I speak of <\/span>The Boroughs<\/em>, Netflix\u2019s latest (and last) Duffer Bros. produced show. The pitch is \u201c<\/span>Stranger Things<\/em> with older actors\u201d. And it topped the Nielsen charts:<\/span><\/p>\n

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With just two weeks of viewership, <\/span>The Boroughs<\/em> would have been a top 25 debut show last year:<\/span><\/p>\n

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But here\u2019s the twist: Netflix <\/span>has already cancelled<\/a> <\/span>The Boroughs<\/em>!<\/span><\/p>\n

What happened?<\/p>\n

Likely a few things. First, the show didn\u2019t do as well globally as it did in the US. As <\/span>What\u2019s on Netflix<\/em> showed, it lagged behind <\/span>several other shows that got cancelled<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Second, its completion rate was likely low; after an initial burst of interest, it quickly dropped off on the Samba TV and Luminate charts.<\/p>\n

Third, the Duffer Bros. left Netflix for Paramount, and that may have factored into Netflix\u2019s decision here. (Though I tend to believe that if a show is doing well, Netflix would have kept greenlighting seasons.)<\/p>\n

Still, just because I can explain why Netflix may have cancelled this show doesn\u2019t mean I\u2019m justifying it. In particular, <\/span>as I\u2019ve noted before<\/a>, Netflix is losing a lot of their bigger shows as they reach their natural ends, and they need to replace those shows. This show had the hallmarks of a big new genre show, and it\u2019s their biggest hit of the last few months (in the US at least), but now it\u2019s done.<\/span><\/p>\n

Netflix\u2019s other show this week\u2014<\/span>The Four Seasons<\/em>, the second season of the \u201chit\u201d show from last year\u2014definitely disappointed. Its sophomore season had about half the viewership of the first, only 12.7 million hours. It also only had a two week run on Samba TV, and its numbers were all down on Luminate too.<\/span><\/p>\n

In other words, even with two successes, the Q2 slump for Netflix looks real:<\/p>\n

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I could add to the list of disappointments:<\/p>\n