Netflix Ratings for Original Series Revealed

One of the great mysteries of modern television is finally solved...sort of.

Story by Matt Cummings

It's true that Netflix has become not only an important player in the changing viewing habits of Americans but also a household name with incredible financial value. But the streaming company has always been a mystery in regards to the real numbers it draws, especially in the realm of its Original Series releases. To say Netflix has been less than forthright with that data is an understatement, becoming one of the closest-held secrets in modern television.

But, a recent survey by San Diego-based Luth Research has shed a least a little light on this, assembling a wide swath of US Netflix subscribers to determine the most popular programs on the service. Luth looked at viewing across a wide variety of devices, but not televisions or gaming consoles. As reported exclusively by Variety, the survey reveals much about what people are watching, as well as who might be challenging the enormously popular House of Cards for the top spot.

Daredevil - which premiered on April 10 - received strong support in the Luth survey, with an estimated 10.7% of subscribers viewing at least one episode in its first 11 days of release. As a means of comparison, season three of House of Cards (which premiered on February 27th) only attracted 6.5% over its first 30 days. The comedy Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt also drew better numbers than Cards in its first month (7.3%). The drama Bloodline did not fare as well(2.4%).

Still, House of Cards is the best overall performer, when taking into account all three of its seasons. It was the most popular series in March (6.4%), and its third season saw an incredible amount of viewers (nearly 50%) who watched three or more episodes in one day. Although none of this data includes television/console viewings, it's safe to say that audiences are viewing a variety of new content. This makes Netflix's bottom line even more appealing, even though Netflix's reluctance to share data makes it nearly impossible for directors and creative teams to create what might be appealing enough to pick up. In the case of Daredevil, Marvel commands such a market that it was a no-brainer for Netflix to sign on. That deal now includes Iron Fist and The Defenders, in addition to aka Jessica Jones and Nick Cage.

Ad yet with this data, two questions still abound: first, do television/console viewers watch other programs than mobile viewers, and why won't Netflix reveal their numbers? Perhaps the Luth survey will force the streaming company's hand, giving us a unique view into a world that seems to changing under our feet with incredible rapidity. But until then, the company's revolutionary algorithms will most likely continue to make it a value for consumers regardless of age. The other reality is that companies like Neilsen, long-criticized for failing to grow with technology, has recently promised to add streaming and other DVR services into its rating system, which could see smaller shows being retained because the data will be that much more detailed.

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