Author: Claire

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Does this show hit the usual true crime drama sweet spot? 
Definitely. We’re seeing a viewership that leans heavily toward women (66%) and those 30+ (75%), the same audience segment that enjoys other ‘based on a true story’ dramatizations like Candy, The Staircase, A Friend of the Family, The Act, Inventing Anna, The Girl from Plainville, and Love & Death (all 59-72% women / 67–80% 30+).

What’s the show’s top viewership driver? 
The scandal. After Midwestern couple Kristine and Michael Barnett adopt the short-statured Natalia Grace from Ukraine, her unusual behavior leads them to suspect she’s actually an adult lying about her age. But from Natalia Grace’s point of view, she’s merely a child trying to defend herself from the couple’s abuse, neglect, and abandonment (Child Abuse, 129). Good American Family goes farther than many of its true crime brethren, following this infamous case all the way through the courts (Courtroom Drama, 160) as judges are called on to litigate the details, and viewers are tuning in largely to see the intense final showdown.

Why else are so many people tuning in? 
For a peek into this dysfunctional Adopted Family (145). The series explores the Family Life (127) of the Barnett parents and their three sons, and the many ways everything implodes following their adoption of Natalia Grace. The Barnetts’ initial high-minded desire to save a child (Idealism, 124) and welcome her into their fold (Family, 114) contrasts mightily with the rising Family Tension (125) as they ultimately turn against her, and audiences are eager to see how it all goes so disastrously wrong.

What’s keeping viewers watching? 
Its ‘ripped from the headlines’ nature. The fact that Good American Family is Based on a True Story (128) is its #1 driver of bingeability–a much weightier position than we typically see for other true crime dramas. In this case, the real-life story–the idea that an adult may be perpetrating a Scam (122) by posing as a 7-year-old child–becomes so increasingly bizarre that viewers have to keep watching to find out the truth. Is Natalia Grace actually a little girl, as she insists, or truly a fully-grown woman, as the Barnetts claim? Who’s the real victim and who’s the real villain?

How does the show’s social buzz look? 
Very strong. Our social buzz meter saw a big spike in online activity (maxing out at 160) with the original trailer drop in late February, and then started climbing again as the marketing campaign picked up steam throughout March. The release of the first two episodes last week pushed it back up to the very top (again at 160), where it has remained firmly ever since.

Do these shows appeal to the same audience? 
No. Thanks to a darker tone and scenes of shocking (though humorous) violence, Deli Boys appeals strongly to men (65%)–a pointed gender skew, and even heavier than many similarly crime-focused comedies like Barry (57%), The Gentlemen (58%), and Mr Inbetween (55%). In contrast, Running Point’s viewership is gender-balanced (51% men / 49% women), landing better with women than many other sports-themed series (American Sports Story, Clipped, Winning Time–all 63-73% men) thanks to its strong female protagonist.

What do these two comedies have in common?
Fish Out of Water (134) protagonists. In both shows, the bumbling progeny of wealthy parents are handed an intense family legacy they’re not fully equipped to take on; at the same time, these adult children are surrounded by Family Dysfunction (151), sibling rivalries (Sibling Relationship, 122), and off-kilter business set-ups (Working with Family, 160). In Deli Boys, brothers Mir and Raj become the unwitting heirs to a cocaine empire after their father dies unexpectedly–and promised they were merely inheriting ownership of a state-wide convenience store chain. In Running Point, billionaire party girl Isla is suddenly promoted to president of her family’s pro basketball team after her competent elder brother is shipped off to rehab. In both series, these themes of family and belonging are the key drivers of longevity, setting the stage for future seasons.

What’s making Deli Boys stand out as unique? 
Crime and dark comedy (Twisted Humor, 121). Deli Boy’s ratings are being driven by its humorous twist on the crime-thriller genre, and the unexpected laughs it’s able to wring from shockingly Bloody Violence (143), an intense Criminal Organization (160), and the act of Committing a Crime (133) are giving it buoyancy. The show also revels in putting a unique spin on its specific milieu: it heightens the aspirational story of a prosperous immigrant clan who have achieved the American dream by making them a hilariously over-the-top Crime Family (132) ruling gangland with an iron fist. These distinctive elements are what’s pulling in so many viewers.

What’s differentiating Running Point? 
Sports and light humor. Where Deli Boys goes dark, Running Point serves up divertingly Awkward & Funny Moments (134) and snarky Adult Humor (153) as it plays up the Arrested Development (146) of protagonist Isla and her billionaire family. And rather than crime, the show situations itself in the captivating world of pro basketball (Sports Focus, 139), a setting appealing not only on its own merits, but also because it offers Isla the chance to Step Up (144), overcome her flaws (Overcoming Adversity, 129), grapple with new challenges (Difficult Workplace, 133), and ultimately prove herself worthy (Ambition & Drive, 128). Isla’s lighthearted journey and the comedy that underpins it propel both ratings and bingeability for the show, and viewers are tuning in–and staying tuned–to both laugh at and cheer for her success.

Are the shows popular on social media? 
Definitely. Both series peaked at or near the top of the “outstanding” range on our social buzz meter after their first season drop, and both show signs of continued engagement. While Running Point reveals more long-term robust chatter–it has maxed out our meter (at 160) almost continuously since its release on February 27–Deli Boys is also proving to be a sticky show, bouncing between “outstanding” and high-level ”promising” buzz several weeks after its own release.

Does House of David appeal to the same audience as The Chosen? 
No. For David, we’re seeing an audience that’s mostly men (64%) and mostly aged 30+ (68%), largely thanks to its war-action focus and younger male protagonist. The Chosen, in contrast, which retells the story of Jesus’s life, pulls in more women (59%) and skews considerably older (92% aged 35+ on linear / 77% aged 30+ on streaming).

Why are viewers tuning in? 
To see David fight Goliath. The show’s first season culminates in that legendary confrontation, and audiences are eagerly watching to see underdog David (Overcoming Adversity, 115) challenge the towering Philistine with his slingshot. The young shepherd’s Heroism (136) and Bravery (113) make for an exciting climax as he single-handledly defends his homeland–the ancient kingdom of Israel and Judah (Distinctly Realized World, 111)–from the invading forces.

What’s making the show so bingeworthy? 
David’s journey to the throne. The series follows David’s inspirational Journey of Self Discovery (147)–made more revealing by carefully-deployed Voice-Over Narration (140)–as he overcomes early Family Tragedy (112) to become the wise, brave king of Scripture. His rise counters the fall of the once-mighty King Saul (Royalty, 151), a leader felled by his own hubris, and viewers are hooked watching David’s destiny unfold.

How important is the religious aspect? 
It’s supportive. While the specifics of David’s story are what’s attracting viewers, the show’s faith-based storytelling (Spirituality, 116) and Biblical origins (Based on a Book, 113) are contributing to its social buzz and likely longevity. David’s tale extends far beyond his battle with Goliath, and there’s plenty of source material left to bring into future seasons.

How’s the show’s social buzz? 
Stellar. Its level of online chatter shot up to (160) (the very top of our buzz meter) with its three-episode premiere on February 27 and landed there again a week later with the drop of episode four. Though there have been slight dips between weekly episode roll-outs, its buzz has nevertheless remained firmly in “outstanding”-level territory. Viewers are engaging in David’s storied heroism and the show’s ties to religion and spirituality.

Who’s been tuning in for this dark new drama? 
We’re seeing an audience made up mostly of men (63%) and those aged 30+ (67%). The similarly violent Peaky Blinders showed the same gender skew (65% men) but trended quite a bit older (78% aged 30+), potentially thanks to its heavier focus on Married Life (116) and Family Relationships (137)–themes that tend to land best with those who can personally relate.

Why have audiences been watching? 
For its gritty thrills. A Thousand Blows boasts the same top two ratings drivers as the long-lived Peaky Blinders: a gripping peek into a compelling (and loosely factual) Criminal Organization (134) and its sharp bursts of remorseless Action & Violence (122) that make the portrayal feel true-to-life. For A Thousand Blows, this means a deep dive into the Forty Elephants, an all-woman syndicate of thieves and crooks, and their conflicts with the illegal underground world of bare-knuckle boxing. These core elements create a tense viewing experience full of Surprise (116), Terror (116), and Anger (114) that’s making audiences want to sit up and lean forward. At the same time, the show’s protagonists–two Fish Out of Water (120) immigrants new to this world–set up an effective entry point that introduces viewers to its many colorful characters and mores.

What’s making the series so bingeworthy? 
The ruthlessness of the period. The show’s exploration of this specific corner of British Culture (142) and real-life history (Based on Historical Events, 127) puts an entirely new spin on its portrayal of shocking violence and a dog-eat-dog way of life. Audiences are being sucked into the Ambition & Drive (132) of its larger-than-life Tough Guy (129) characters, especially a hardened and lethal champion boxer and the cunning leader of the Forty Elephants (Strong Female Character, 124).

How is the show’s level of online chatter? 
Strong. With its full first season drop on Feb 21, the series rocketed to the top of our social buzz meter (at 160), remaining there for a solid week and hovering consistently in the “outstanding”-level range thereafter. Peaky Blinders proved quite buzzy over the length of its run, and A Thousand Blows may find a similar level of social media success.

What will help push A Thousand Blows into future seasons? 
Its Sports Focus (139). To gain a foothold into such a brutal community, the show’s Jamaican immigrant protagonist Hezekiah enters the illegal boxing ring and goes up against a furious champion loath to cede the spotlight, especially to a Black man. Though Hezekiah’s path becomes ever more winding–the leader of the Forty Elephants wants him for her criminal schemes–his struggles in the ring (his Underdog (123) status, his growing success and Winning (112)) will help to provide story fodder for the show’s already-ordered second season and beyond.