Now that Nielsen is providing competitive multi-platform primetime data to its subscribers via its Streaming Content Ratings, the broadcast networks are getting a much clearer view of how their shows’ viewership across live, time-shifted, on-demand and streaming viewing is shaping up vs. their rivals. So far, the big streaming winner appears to be freshman ABC series “High Potential,” which ranks as the No. 12 show of the fall among adults 18-49 according to Nielsen live+7 ratings — but then shoots to No. 1 when seven days of streaming viewership is included.
With six episodes having aired as of Nov. 21 (when these ratings were calculated), “High Potential” was averaging a 0.57 rating in the 18-49 demo according to live+7 data. But streaming on Hulu (including Hulu on Disney+) added an additional 1.76 rating to that tally — bumping the Kaitlin Olson series up by 309% to a 2.33 rating in the demo. That’s the kind of 18-49 number that would have been impressive a decade ago.
“Live-plus-same-day numbers do not remotely portray the success of scripted programming. We’re seeing enormous traction in playback, both on the DVR and certainly on Hulu and our direct-to-consumer platforms,” Ari Goldman, senior VP of content strategy and scheduling at ABC told Variety in October.
It’s not just the Alphabet network, of course — practically every primetime entertainment series is enjoying a healthy bump when streaming ratings are included, just some more than others. Fox’s “Bob’s Burgers” may be the most impressive of all: It goes from No. 43 in L+7 (0.36 18-49 rating) to No. 10 in cross platform (1.23 18-49 rating), thanks to its streaming run on Hulu.
In total viewers, CBS’ “Tracker” is the rarity that’s doing so well that it already is No. 1 in live+7 day viewing, and remains No. 1 when streaming comes in (from 11.4 million to 14.4 million). Newcomer Kathy Bates series “Matlock” is also enjoying a boost, landing at No. 2 in live+7 (10.2 million) and remaining No. 2 when all that streaming is added (13.5 million).
That means “Matlock” has added 3.3 million viewers in streaming, making it the second-most streaming network primetime entertainment series — only surpassed by “High Potential,” which adds 4.3 million total viewers in streaming, which pushes it from No. 15 in live+7 (6.5 million) to No. 3 in cross platform (10.8 million).
CBS’ “Ghosts” is also an overachiever in streaming, making it the No. 4 show when cross platform is tallied (10.2 million, up from 7.6 million in live+7).
