Beginning in November, Netflix’s viewing figures will be reported by Broadcasters’ Audience Research Board (BARB), a British ratings service.
Up until recently, Netflix has released limited ratings reports with its weekly Top 10 List, which breaks down viewing metrics in four categories: English-language TV series, English-language films, non-English tv series and non-English films. Squid Game is currently the most streamed program on Netflix with 1.6 billion viewing hours, followed by Stranger Things 4 at 1.35 billion viewing hours and in third place, Dahmer: Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story with 701.37 million hours viewed.
BARB already reports monthly rating numbers for over 300 subscribed broadcasting channels including BBC and ITV, and now with Netflix and Disney+ signing on, it could allow for more detailed analysis on how traditional channels and streaming platforms compare.
In addition to the data being used by journalists, advertisers and competitors, BARB’s data will help in determining which costly productions have underperformed. The Gray Man, Netflix’s most expensive production with cost $200 million, took the No. 1 spot for only two weeks when a smaller production, Purple Hearts knocked them down to No. 2.
In July, Netflix reported the loss of 1 million subscribers, and increased subscription prices this past January. The streaming platform has plans for an ad-supported subscription tier.