Netflix recently announced changes to its system for ranking its top 10 shows and movies. Instead of relying on total viewing time, the company now ranks titles based on “views.” Netflix defines views as the number of hours viewed divided by the total runtime of a title. This change aims to ensure that longer titles do not have an advantage over shorter ones and allows for the comparison of the relative impact of movies and series. However, it still does not provide specific viewership numbers, which could be more useful for viewers and advertisers.
For example, Netflix used its new system to highlight the popularity of “Extraction 2” starring Chris Hemsworth. According to Netflix, the movie received 43 million “views” from June 12th to June 18th, calculated by dividing 88.38 million hours viewed by its 2.07-hour runtime. While this data gives a sense of popularity, it does not reveal how many individuals watched the movie from start to finish.
While Netflix claims that the change will provide better insights into what success in streaming looks like, it still lacks transparency. The company is only willing to provide specific viewership numbers to creators, leaving consumers, analysts, and the press in the dark. Without detailed data, it is challenging to gauge the success of titles accurately.
In addition to the change in ranking methodology, Netflix also extended the qualifying time for its most popular titles overall. Previously, a title had to perform well within 28 days to be considered popular, but now the qualifying time has been extended to 91 days. This means that a show’s long-term performance will impact its ranking.
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As a result of this change, the first season of “Wednesday” has surpassed “Stranger Things 4” as Netflix’s most popular English-language TV show. By considering a show’s performance over a longer period, Netflix aims to provide a more comprehensive representation of its popularity.
Despite these changes, Netflix and other streaming platforms have been hesitant to share specific viewership data. This data is crucial for advertisers and content creators to determine the success and popularity of their content. While Netflix claims to be consistent and transparent, it still falls short of providing detailed information that would benefit its viewers and partners.
The reluctance to share viewership data has been a long-standing issue among streaming platforms. Advertisers and content creators rely on this data to make informed decisions about their investments and understand the success of their content. Without transparency, it becomes challenging to evaluate the reach and impact of titles accurately.
In conclusion, while Netflix’s new ranking system based on “views” aims to address some concerns, it still falls short of providing the transparency and specificity that viewers, advertisers, and content creators desire. The lack of detailed viewership data hinders the ability to gauge the success and popularity of titles accurately. Moving forward, it is crucial for streaming platforms like Netflix to prioritize openness and transparency in sharing viewership data. This will not only benefit their partners but also enable viewers to make more informed choices about the content they consume.
