Author: Luke

Who’s been watching this new drama series? 
We’re seeing an audience that leans male (53%) and is mostly older (68% aged 35+). Gender-wise, this profile is extremely similar to other historical epics like Vikings, Marco Polo, Knightfall, The Tudors, The Last Kingdom, and even Game of Thrones but age-wise, Shōgun runs younger than its linear-based brethren.

How’s its social buzz looking?
Strong. While its early trailer drop netted only a slight bump in online chatter (peaking at 117 back in November), a :30 spot during February’s Super Bowl suddenly catapulted the show into the national conversation (maxing out our meter at 160). Its buzz spiked again soon after (again at 160) with the Feb 27 release of the first two episodes, and it’s been riding high ever since.

What’s drawing viewers to this complex saga?
The machinations and power plays. Critics are comparing Shōgun to Game of Thrones thanks to its complicated plotting, Political Manipulations (111), and backstabbing between rivals to secure the ultimate title–in this case shōgun, the top military commander and de facto ruler of pre-Edo Japan. The Ambition & Drive (139) on display and overall Power Struggle (139) between warring factions are the show’s top viewership drivers, important for ratings, bingeability, and social buzz. The gruesome, Stylized Action & Violence (136) and intense, period-accurate Battle Action (127) that result are likewise big audience draws–and similarly increase the Game of Thrones parallels.

Are the characters themselves important?
Yes. Beyond the plotting and fighting, audiences are looking to personal relationships within the story to provide both humanity and intrigue. Shōgun follows the Unlikely Friendship (131) (and Interracial Partnership, 133) between samurai Lord Yoshii Toranaga and stranded English navigator John Blackthorne as they join forces–albeit turbulently–to navigate and survive the era’s complex political situation. At the same time, there’s Romantic Conflict (127) between Blackthorne and the unhappily married Lady Mariko (a Strong Female Protagonist (123) in her own right), which adds a sense of melancholic passion. These three main characters are also loosely based on real-life historical figures, generating an extra layer of viewer interest.

Is this show likely to succeed in Japan?
Yes and no. While the show boasts a number of compelling viewership drivers in America, the only one that lands as at least “promising” for Japan is the Stylized Action & Violence (118 in that market) of the historical samurai fights and feudal battles. The other elements that make Shōgun stand out for US viewers–especially its deep dive into Japanese Culture (131 for the US, a big ratings booster)–are, presumably, more common in the country’s own local programming and thus not terribly distinguishing (Japanese Culture rates a non-influential 88 for Japan). On the other hand, the show boasts an acclaimed Japanese cast and historical period accuracy, which may nevertheless help it find solid footing.

Will the same Walking Dead audience be tuning in for this spin-off? 
Yes. We’re predicting that viewers will lean male (54%) and skew mostly older,  a profile in line with the other two most recent franchise extensions (Dead City and Daryl Dixon). These offshoots are, however, slightly more male than The Walking Dead proved to be in its early seasons (51% male).

What does The Ones Who Live have in common with the other TWD series?
Suspense and action. The #1 ratings driver for The Ones Who Live is the pervasive sense of risk and danger faced by its protagonists (Life in Danger, 134), a key element that also propelled interest in its sister shows. This new installment similarly leverages the franchise’s Distinctly Realized World (120) of post-apocalyptic chaos and its widespread Bloody Violence (120) that’s directed toward zombies and humans alike. These IP connections (IP Extension, 118) are also an important factor in the show’s bingeability.

What makes The Ones Who Live unique?
It shows that love conquers all. Rather than following a pair of enemies (Dead City), a loner (Daryl Dixon), or an entire mismatched group (Fear the Walking Dead, The Walking Dead: World Beyond), this franchise spin-off instead traces a married couple desperate to find each other after years of separation. The original The Walking Dead remained mum on the fates of both Rick and Michonne after the beloved characters departed the main storyline; The Ones Who Live will finally fill in the gaps, letting viewers in on what happened to each hero in the interim (Personal Backstory, 130) and offering up an Inspirational Story (127) of two survivors driven by Love (119) and Anticipation (119).

What’s standing in the protagonists’ way?
A powerful settlement with a sizable army. Rick has been living in a closed-off militaristic community all this time, and to reunite with wife Michonne, they both must fight to get past its vast Military Operation (149) with countless reserves of soldiers out for blood. This armed forces aspect of the story is the show’s top source of bingeability and is also unique within the Walking Dead franchise; rather than sharing this driver with Dead City or Daryl Dixon, The Ones Who Live instead keeps company here with historical war epics like Masters of the Air, modern political dramas like Fauda, and broader-scale sci-fi sagas like Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Falling Skies.

How does this main storyline play into the show’s ratings?
It pulls viewers in through the protagonists’ desires. In The Ones Who Live, both Rick and Michonne–and, by extension, audiences–are driven to learn the fate of the other (Curiosity, 123) so that they may finally reunite (Social Contact, 121) and reignite their missing love (Romance, 119; Family, 119). At the same time, they must fight against a powerful community to secure Rick’s freedom and their own future (Power, 119; Order, 119). Viewers will tune in eager to discover whether the pair is ultimately successful.

Who’s been watching this can’t-look-away series? 
Older women. We’re seeing an audience that’s heavily female (73%) and mostly older (63% aged 30+), a gender skew that’s very much in line with other popular reality dating shows such as The Bachelor, Married at First Sight, 90 Day Fiancé, Temptation Island, Love Island, and Bachelor in Paradise. Thanks to trends in streaming, however, Love Is Blind lands a bit younger than its linear-based counterparts (which run 80-91% aged 35+).

Why did so many viewers tune in for the show’s first season?
The high-concept matchmaking. On Love Is Blind, contestants are kept in separate rooms as they get to know each other; they can chat via speaker but are not allowed visuals and only meet face-to-face at the end. This means that players must make some Tough Decisions (127) in who they choose to pursue, judging chemistry (Romantic Tension, 119), Falling in Love (123), and potentially becoming engaged all sight-unseen. It is this process of blind pairing that has been driving the series’ stellar ratings since the beginning.

What sets the show apart from other reality dating series?
The moment of truth. Love Is Blind’s unique set-up builds to a nail-biting climax as the newly-engaged couples are finally allowed to see each other and test-drive coupledom at a resort retreat. The opportunity to see their favorite contestants trying to make it work in the real world (Married Life, 131)–as well as the chance that someone might turn tail and run (Broken Engagement, 145)–creates a singular draw for Love Is Blind that’s missing in shows focused solely on matchmaking (The Bachelor, The Bachelorette), physical attraction (Love Island, Too Hot to Handle, Bachelor in Paradise), or pre-paired couples (Married at First Sight, 90 Day Fiancé). These elements also make the show eminently bingeable.

What has kept the show running for what’s about to be six successful seasons?
Conflict. Once the couples have paired off and met each other, they’re launched into a trial run of life together, and the tensions that arise as they navigate their brand-new relationships (Romantic Conflict, 121), meet each other’s families (Family Conflict, 120), and plan their own weddings (Wedding Event, 119) drive the show’s longevity and keep viewers coming back season after season.

What’s making the international versions of this series so popular?
The addictive ups and downs. The Love Is Blind format has been successfully localized for both Brazil and Japan, and in those markets, the #1 driver of engagement is the Emotional Roller Coaster (both 160) viewing experience. Japanese and Brazilian audiences are right there alongside the contestants as they face the intense highs of love and the crushing lows of rejection.

Who’s been watching this inventive new series? 
We’re seeing an audience that leans male (56%) and is heavily older (71% aged 30+), a bit of a departure from writer Glover’s previous female-leaning series (Atlanta, Swarm). Instead, Mr. & Mrs. Smith straddles the line between more male-heavy action-based thrillers (Citadel, 24, The Old Man, Jack Ryan, all 62-64% male) and female-skewing spy dramas with relationship elements (The Americans, Homeland, Killing Eve, Chuck, Alias, all 50-59% female).
How is this series different from the earlier movie?
It flips the premise. In the Pitt-Jolie film, a staid, boring married couple are actually highly-trained spies ordered to assassinate each other; in the show, the titular couple begin as newly-hired agents directed to act as husband and wife as a plausible cover. The Romantic Relationship (116) that develops between them–as well as hints of the pair’s previously Troubled Pasts (113)–drive longevity for the series, providing an emotional story engine for future seasons.
Why are viewers tuning in?
For the action. Though the series emphasizes (and deconstructs) the pair’s evolving relationship, it’s actually the heightened, Stylized Action & Violence (160) and guns a’blazing firepower (Gun Violence, 141) that audiences most want to see–and coincidentally, the elements that Mr. & Mrs. Smith the series has most in common with its theatrical predecessor (IP Extension, 118).
What type of viewing experience are audiences anticipating?
An intense one. The spy thriller aspects of the show (Scary Situations, 127; Race Against Time, 124) are also what’s propelling its emotional engagement, with viewers looking for a sense of Surprise (120), Terror (116), Fear (112), and Vigilance (112) to keep them on the edge of their seats. In contrast, emotions surrounding the Smiths’ marriage as they bicker (Disapproval, 90), fight (Anger, 105), and fall in love (Love, 87) are less compelling.
What keeps viewers watching?
The characters. In addition to the general spy missions (Espionage, 124), Erskine’s prickly, quirky, Strong Female Character (137) in need of A New Beginning (117) as well as the cast’s overall Cultural Diversity (110) are propelling the show’s bingeability.

Who’s the main audience for this war-based action-drama? 
Older men. We’re seeing a viewership that runs heavily male (72%) and heavily older (76% aged 30+), thanks both to its War (135)–Action (125) focus and online rollout. In contrast, The Pacific–which premiered when streaming was still nascent (2010)–and Band of Brothers–which predates streaming entirely (2001)–saw a more tempered gender skew (both 63% male) but a more extreme shift in age (both 94% age 35+), both due to past trends in linear cable viewing.

How does Masters of the Air compare to those previous miniseries?
It has a different emotional focus. In capturing the US Army Air Forces’ daring maneuvers in the above-ground battlefield over Europe, Masters lends its audience a sense of Awe (150) and Amazement (150) from breathtaking aerial fight sequences and impressive pinpoint aerobatics. While Band of Brothers similarly puts viewers right in the action, it takes a more visceral approach, leaning into a sense of chaos, Fear (124), and Anger (121) within a tension-filled ground assault of Army paratroopers. Meanwhile, The Pacific highlights the brutality of the Pacific Theater for three different regiments in the US Marine Corps, putting Disgust (144) and Grief (141) front and center and dwelling on the losses and casualties. In spite of these variations, however, all three series also showcase the ironclad sense of Trust and Love that develops within a brotherhood of soldiers facing a terrifying war.

What specifically about Masters of the Air is drawing people in?
The airmen’s bonds. The brotherhood and Teamwork (160) among the close-knit unit is the show’s #1 ratings driver, and their Bravery (136) and pluck (Overcoming Adversity, 150) make the characters rootworthy and sympathetic. Viewers are tuning in for the Emotional Rollercoaster (147) of their engagement in the war, with the glorious highs of their wins and the devastating lows of their losses, all faced as a team.

What will keep viewers watching throughout the show’s run?
The military history. The top drivers for Masters of the Air’s bingeability tie directly to its portrayal of real-world Military Operations (132) and aerial Battle Action (117) as well as the fact that it’s Based on a True Story (123) of the “Bloody Hundredth” 100th Bomb Group during WWII. The inspiring Leadership (130) and American Patriotism (130) demonstrated by the airmen as they face truly daunting circumstances will pull audiences into their story.

How does the show’s social buzz look?
It has seen a huge jump. Although Masters’ previous trailer drops caused only small spikes in online chatter (peaking at a promising 117), the premiere of the first episode caused the buzz level to explode and max out our social buzz meter (at 160). Viewers are primarily talking about the soldiers banding together to fight and survive.