Author: Luke

Who’s tuning in for this exciting new crime thriller? 
We’re seeing an audience that leans toward women (60%) and is heavily aged 35+ (94%)–the sweet-spot viewer profile for this broadcast network-led genre. The Hunting Party falls right in line with other villain-of-the-week twisty procedurals like The Blacklist, Blindspot, and Criminal Minds.

What is the show’s main hook for viewers?
The Dangerous Missions (146). The core general premise of The Hunting Party is by far its biggest selling point, more so than any specifics around characters, plot, or mystery. Audiences are drawn to its intense weekly Psychological Investigations (151) as the team of agents and profilers Races Against Time (129) to stop a succession of notoriously brutal Serial Killers (149) before they can find their next victims (Being Hunted, 114). As is the case with several other serial killer-based dramas (Hannibal, Prodigal Son, Mindhunter, Bosch), the murderers themselves as well as the urgent charge to stop them primarily drive the show’s longevity, but they do also contribute to its ratings.

How important are the characters themselves? 
They’re more appealing as a team. The task force assigned to capture the at-large killers is a cross-agency effort combining FBI and CIA special agents (US Federal Agencies, 122), members of the military, and guards from the secret prison, and their overall Team Up (133) and often charged interpersonal dynamics (Co-worker Relationships, 116) will help keep things interesting for viewers–and drive bingeability. However, the individualistic Troubled Past (114) and Inner Conflict (104) of the team’s tense figurehead–criminal profiler Rebecca “Bex” Henderson–is but a much softer draw.

What about the show’s compelling twists and turns? 
They’re a secondary attraction. The mystery of the covertly-run prison that houses hundreds of supposedly-executed serial killers (Secret Organization, 132) and the suspicious, Dark Secrets (111) surrounding it add to The Hunting Party’s watchability. This enigmatic backdrop sets up plenty of cliffhangers during the show’s first season, adding a twist to its core procedural backbone and making it feel different and unique.

How does its social buzz look? 
Encouraging. The late-January sneak peek of the pilot episode spiked its level of online chatter to the “outstanding” level, peaking at (144) out of a max of (160). Repeated airings then kept the show on viewers’ radars, with social buzz hanging out in the high-“promising” to low-“outstanding” range and currently trending upward. It seems very likely that the show will see another big jump with the release of episode two next week.

Who has been tuning in for this intense new western? 
We’re seeing a viewership that’s mostly men (62%) and heavily 30+ (35%)–slightly more skewed than the general sweet spot for TV westerns. While a few other shows in the genre are a close audience match (Deadwood, Lawmen: Bass Reeves), the recent crop of popular oaters, such as Yellowstone, 1883, Godless, Hell on Wheels, and The Son, tend to be a bit more gender-balanced (52-55% men).

Why have so many viewers been watching?
For the suspenseful thrills. The story follows a mother and young son traveling the rugged west who become ensnared in the brutal, bloody confrontations (Action & Violence, 128) between Utah’s early Mormon settlers, the armed forces of the US government, and the native peoples inhabiting the area. With the help of a Tough Guy (125) who steps in to protect them, they must use their hardened Survival Skills (139) to navigate Scary Situations (136) that put their Lives in Danger (144), and audiences are leaning in for the resulting life-or-death tension.

What’s making this miniseries so bingeworthy? 
Its depiction of a dark episode in American History (130). The Utah War of 1857, an escalating conflict over governance and autonomy within the territory, included the infamous Mountain Meadows Massacre, where a militia disarmed and murdered over 100 uninvolved settlers traveling through to California. The show delves into the Dark Themes (125) and gritty tone of the period, including the many Wild West-style Abuses of Power (123) where the cruel and violent were free to exploit the vulnerable. Viewers are on the edge of their seats to learn whether the mother can protect her son from the massacre, and whether a sympathetic stranger can save them both (Protectiveness, 135).

How is the show’s social buzz? 
Sky-high and sitting pretty. American Primeval’s full episode drop on January 6 rocketed its level of online chatter to the very top of our buzz meter (to an ‘outstanding’ 160), where it has firmly remained ever since. Viewers are talking about the against-all-odds westward journey (Outdoor Adventure, 121) of the show’s vulnerable protagonists (Underdogs, 133) as well as the events’ broader place within American history.

Is the show’s deep dive into American history a selling point internationally?
Not as much as in the US. While American Primeval’s historical angle has an ‘outstanding’ level of pull in a couple of English-speaking markets–namely the UK (125) and New Zealand (129)–the rest of the world is somewhat less interested in such a stereotypically American western story. Instead, the show’s theme of Protectiveness is the most compelling global draw; audiences abroad primarily appreciate seeing the strong defend the weak in such a harsh, cruel environment.

Who’s been tuning in to this exciting new show? 
Thanks to its streaming-only origins, The Pitt carries a slightly different viewership profile than its linear-based brethren. While this series does lean to women (58%) and those 30+ (75%), other medical dramas–largely the domain of the broadcast networks–show a much more pronounced audience skew, with titles like Grey’s Anatomy, The Good Doctor, Doc, Brilliant Minds, The Resident, Chicago Med, Code Black, and New Amsterdam all landing at 65-69% women and 90-94% aged 35+.

Why have viewers been watching? 
For the intense realism. The Pitt’s central conceit–a real-time look at a single shift in a chaotic ER–is what sets this drama apart, and audiences are lining up to watch the show’s doctors work together (Teamwork, 120) to make Tough Decisions (121) in an extremely high-stress and Difficult Workplace (132). With the characters battling understaffing and limited resources in their fight to save lives (Overcoming Adversity, 130), many real-life healthcare workers are even touting The Pitt’s spot-on accuracy to their own professional experiences.

What type of emotional experience is drawing in audiences? 
The rawness of life-or-death. The show’s ratings are being driven by a wide range of rich, intense, opposing emotions, from Contempt (132) to Admiration (126), Optimism (126) to Disapproval (132), Awe (120) to Anger (120), and Aggressiveness (120) to Submission (117). This emotional roller coaster parallels the highs and lows of The Pitt’s fast-paced, do-or-die stakes and will keep viewers glued to their seats and wanting more.

How does the show’s social buzz look?
Encouraging. Online chatter spiked immediately with the release of the first two episodes and then jumped again with episode three, peaking at an “outstanding” level (131) as more and more people latched onto the show. As is typical of weekly roll-outs, its buzz has been cooling slightly in the days between new episodes, but even then it still hovers in the “promising” range (at 116), indicating a fairly robust and ongoing online conversation.

What will help propel The Pitt into a second season?
The tried-and-true Medical Drama (123) formula. While viewers are tuning in for the show’s intensely unique take on its genre, it’s actually the themes, characters, and cases that The Pitt has in common with other hospital-set series that will keep its story churning for the long haul. The Medical Professionals (160), Doctor-Patient Relationships (124), Medical Procedures (122), and patient Lives in Danger (113) are its top longevity drivers, in the same way that similar elements assured long runs for shows like Grey’s Anatomy and The Good Doctor. This genre is so rich in built-in stakes and an endless flow of new story opportunities that its basic building blocks are enough to keep viewers hooked.

Does this series appeal largely to the gaming audience? 
Yes. We’re seeing a heavy skew toward men (76%) and a slight lean toward those under 30 (52%), the sweet spot for the typical video and tabletop game player. This viewership profile is also an exact match for Marvel’s What If, another animated genre entry that explores imaginative new directions within familiar properties.

What types of stories is Secret Level telling? 
Fantastical ones. In addition to its obvious grounding in the realm of Animation (137), the series pulls genre-focused elements from the various games that inspired its episodes: Sci-Fi (135), Adventure (135), Action (129), Fantasy (128), and even War (115). These pieces combine to weave rich, complex new stories that fit perfectly within the show’s various pre-existing worlds.

What’s bringing in so many viewers? 
Gaming excitement. The same thrilling selling points that have made the source games so popular and timeless are pulling audiences into this streaming series. Viewers are geared up to watch epic clashes between white hat heroes (Heroism, 116) and their evil opponents (Good vs Evil, 130) set in a series of elaborate, Distinctly Realized Worlds (126) that they recognize from each beloved franchise. Add in a heavy dose of suspense via perilous adventures (Life in Danger, 125) and brutally effective action sequences (Bloody Violence, 122) and audiences can’t look away. These same top ratings drivers are also propelling the show’s longevity and helped it win its already-announced renewal for season two.

What type of emotional experience is appealing to audiences? 
An eclectic one. The fifteen different stories included in the fifteen episodes of season one cover a wide range of tones and sentiments, and all play a part in attracting viewers and keeping them hooked. Fans are signing on to experience everything from Rage (122), Aggressiveness (117), Fear (115), and Disgust (113) to Amazement (117), Optimism (117), Admiration (112), and Awe (112), all right alongside their various gaming heroes.

How does the show’s social buzz look? 
Encouraging for its second season. After the show’s mid-December premiere on Prime Video, it rocketed to the top of our social buzz meter (to 160) and remained there for nearly two weeks, a pattern that suggests widespread interest and prolonged online discussion. Though the chatter has since cooled a bit, that level of engagement suggests that fans are already eagerly awaiting its eventual season two.

Who has been tuning in for this new true-crime drama? 
We’re seeing an audience that’s gender-balanced (51% men / 49% women) and leans heavily to those aged 30+ (81%)–and particularly to those aged 45+ (56%), who may well remember the original news coverage of the bombing in 1988. Streaming viewership skews slightly older than previous dramas based on real-world events, such as Chernobyl, Waco, Dopesick, American Crime Story, When They See Us, and A Very English Scandal (62-78% aged 30+).

What’s been driving the show’s ratings? 
Jim Swire’s struggle. Devastated by the loss of his daughter (Death of a Loved One, 160), a passenger on the ill-fated plane, Swire embarks on a single-minded quest for the truth: who put the bomb on Flight 103, how did they get it there, what country was backing them, and why does the UK government seem to be blocking his demand for answers at every turn (Conspiracy and Cover Ups, 148)? Audiences are watching to see Underdog (135) Swire defy overwhelming odds and several governments to expose the truth so that Justice (145) can finally be served.

What type of viewing experience are audiences looking for?
A cathartic one. The top emotions attracting viewers clearly express the devastating horror of the bombing and the endless frustration of Swire’s crusade for Honor (134) and Vengeance (130): Disgust (139), Loathing (135), Anger (135), Rage (135), and Aggressiveness (132). Audiences want to see their own real-life feelings about the tragedy acted out on screen.

What’s making the show so binge-worthy? 
The real-world history. Lockerbie depicts an infamously Tragic Event (124) that most viewers have likely heard about (Based on Historical Events, 116), and its direct links to large-scale Terrorism (126) unfortunately give it heavy modern-day relevance. Viewers keep watching to see events unfold and whether this deeper story lines up with their own memories of what happened.

What drove interest when this series aired in the UK? 
The significance of the event. The strongest viewership drivers for British audiences lean into the same elements that are making Lockerbie binge-worthy in the US: the scale of the very local tragedy (Tragic Event, UK: 123) and its nefarious underlying cause (Terrorism, UK: 118).

Who’s been watching these new spy thrillers? 
We’re seeing an audience that leans toward men (59% for The Agency; 54% for Black Doves) and those aged 30+ (77% for both). A male skew is common for the genre, with shows boasting especially action-heavy operations (e.g., Citadel, Citadel: Diana, The Terminal List – 64-68% men) often showing a more pronounced tilt than more drama-oriented series (e.g., The Night Manager, Homeland, Berlin Station, Counterpart, The Diplomat – 52-58% men).

What do these two shows have in common?
Danger and high stakes. As with any good spy thriller, both The Agency and Black Doves send their operatives on highly Dangerous Missions (136) where their lives are in peril (Life in Danger, 134) from sinister, shadowy foes. The former focuses on various CIA operations, while the latter centers on revenge for a murdered lover. Both also up the ante by exploring the dark Psychological Turmoil (135) of leading a double-life and the potential consequences of intense Emotions Running High (116).

What type of viewing experience is drawing in viewers?
Tension and suspense. Both shows lean heavily on the “thriller” side of their genre, trafficking primarily in more negative emotions that very effectively put audiences on edge and leave them holding their breath. Viewers are tuning in to experience emotions like Disgust (134), Terror (126), Fear (120), Surprise (115), Rage (123), and Vigilance (113) as they move from danger to danger alongside each series’ protagonist.

What makes each series stand out as unique?
Genre and focus. While both series offer up nail-biting suspense, Black Doves cuts the tension with moments of deliciously sharp wit, infusing elements of a cutting Buddy Comedy (128) with over-the-top violence and gore (Bloody Violence, 157; Stylized Action & Violence, 141). Here, one old friend tries to save another from her own tendency to go off the rails (Saving a Life, 145). The Agency, in contrast, takes a much more serious tone, focusing on the gray areas (Moral Ambiguity, 123) built into life as a spy within the secretive yet bureaucratic Central Intelligence Agency (122), where anything and everything could be a lie and the very underpinnings of world power could be at stake (Geopolitics, 119). Both series’ distinct elements are key drivers of ratings and bingeability.

What helped push these shows to their second season renewals?
Their wider worlds. Black Doves explores its protagonist’s seemingly normal Family Relationships (126) against the backdrop of her secret life as a spy, injecting ordinary ‘daily life’ conflicts amidst the heightened reality of her espionage. Set in London, the series also highlights quirky aspects of British Culture (132). The Agency, on the other hand, is more directly immersed in the world of international Espionage (127), delving into the Emotional Turmoil (120) and Moral Dilemmas (122) inherent in Working Undercover (118) on behalf of a government bureaucracy. These elements will help keep each show’s story engine churning through future seasons. The Agency’s connection to the popular and critically-acclaimed French series The Bureau, which ran for five full seasons, also contributes to its staying power (IP Extension, 126).

Who’s been tuning in for this TV show remake? 
We’re seeing a viewership that’s mostly women (66%) and mostly aged 30+ (67%). While this gender skew is typical of other teen drama fare, Cruel Intentions runs a bit older than similar streaming titles like 13 Reasons Why, The Society, One of Us Is Lying, Pretty Liars: Original Sin, Gossip Girl (2021), and Elite (all 47-59% aged 30+)–suggesting that late-90s fans of the original movie may be joining the audience.

Is the 1999 film important in getting viewers to check out the show? 
Absolutely. The fact that Cruel Intentions is based on the Gellar/Philippe/Witherspoon cult classic movie–and includes parallel characters for each of the original roles–is its #4 overall ratings driver (IP Extension, 124).

What does the show keep from the movie?
The diabolical stepsiblings at its center. As in the film before it, Cruel Intentions the series revolves around a pair of manipulative Antiheroes (133)–here renamed as Caroline and Lucien–in a semi-incestuous Stepsibling Relationship (125). These two pull the strings of power and rule their prestigious private school. When Femme Fatale (117) Caroline tasks sly lothario Lucien with seducing an innocent classmate, he accidentally develops genuine feelings that complicate her plans (Romantic Conflict, 122). These similarities, along with tense feelings of Surprise (133) and Contempt (122) throughout, are all key drivers of bingeability; the same story elements that made the film so compulsively watchable are working for this remake.

How is this new show different from the movie? 
It widens its lens. Where the film was set in high school, the show ages up the characters to explore well-known facets of College Life (138), offering up a broader commentary on the dubious world of fraternities, sororities, hazing, and Bullying (123). Similarly, Lucien’s seduction challenge in the film stems simply from a bet between bored teenagers, but the series incorporates a deeper motive: Caroline’s Ambition & Drive (114), accompanied by an examination of teenage power and status. Caroline needs Lucien’s efforts to preserve her place atop the social hierarchy, and his victim-turned-love-interest is no longer merely the headmaster’s daughter but the daughter of the US Vice President, raising the stakes and skewering High Society (126) more directly. These drivers all contribute to the show’s ratings, suggesting that fans are tuning in for its brand new take on the movie’s delicious tale of dark Romantic Obsession (127).

How does the show’s social buzz look? 
Strong. The late-October trailer drop resulted in an “outstanding”-level spike (to 135). The first season’s release on November 21 maxed out our social buzz meter (to 160), where it stayed for over a week. It is still hovering in “outstanding” territory (at 126) nearly three weeks later, suggesting comfortable longevity for a show following an all-at-once release plan.

Who’s been tuning in for this earnest new comedy? 
We’re seeing an audience that’s roughly gender-balanced (52% men / 48% women) and skewed toward those 30+ (70%)–almost an exact match for creator Schur’s previous streaming show Rutherford Falls. The showrunner’s past series (The Office, Parks and Recreation, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, The Good Place) all premiered on broadcast networks, however, so their audiences were slightly different, reflecting the more definitive viewership skew typical of linear TV (59-65% women, 90-92% ages 35+).

Why have so many viewers been watching? 
For the undercover investigation. The basic premise of the show is proving quite sticky, with viewers largely tuning in to see Danson’s well-meaning but goofy Charles attempt to blend in with the regular nursing home residents and solve the disappearance of a precious family heirloom (Investigators & Detectives, 130)–without looking like the Fish Out of Water (129) he truly is. Audiences are also appreciating the show’s broad range of sympathetic characters (Cultural Diversity, 160) that are brought to the fore as Charles’s list of key suspects slowly turns into a list of New Friends (138).

What type of emotional experience are audiences looking for? 
A heartfelt yet realistic one. A Man on the Inside’s sense of warm, Feel Good Humor (154) is one of its top draws, but viewers are also tuning in to see the show gently reflect on heavier, real-life issues like dementia, purposelessness, aging, and death. The show’s infusion of a variety of complicated emotions, from Grief (145) to Sadness (145) to Anger (160) to Acceptance (131) to Joy (122), creates a rich, well-rounded viewing experience that’s keeping audiences engaged.

How does the show’s social buzz look? 
Excellent. After the late-October trailer release spurred a brief “outstanding”-level spike in chatter (to 120), the show’s first season episode drop firmly pushed it over the top, immediately maxing out our social buzz meter (to 160) and remaining there ever since. Charles’s undercover investigation as well as his late-in-life New Beginning (113) are driving the bulk of the online conversation.

What will help this series reach a second season? 
Its examination of aging. The show’s quirky nursing home setting allows it to explore a host of relatable topics around Growing Old (136), and its juxtaposition between senior citizen Charles and the younger people that surround him (the Age Gap (116) with his 30-something private investigator boss, the Father-Child Relationship (112) with his middle-aged daughter) provides plenty of fodder for a thoughtful look at intergenerational connection. These longevity drivers will keep the show’s story engine running through any additional seasons.