Special Report: Netflix's Newest Report Proves POCs Are Changing The Streaming Space
Physical 100, Jenna Ortega - Wednesday, and Antonia Gentry - Ginny & Georgia
As we reel in the new year, Netflix provides us a time capsule of their most streamed shows of 2023. The Netflix Engagement Report is Netflix’s first transparent look into millions of users’ streaming habits. The streaming giant stated they will release comprehensive, biannual reports that showcase hours watched within a six-month period. The report examines each series’ release date, hours viewed, and whether it’s available globally. While the statistics are staggering, it’s important to examine POC creators’ impact in the streaming space. With the lack of oversight in cable, streaming allows POC creators to cultivate original programming that explores themes of identity, race, politics, and other topics largely underrepresented in the greater cultural zeitgeist.
From January to July of 2023, original POC programming dominated the charts, making up six of the 10 most streamed series/films on the platform. Of these six, four were original American programming and two were internationally based.
From most to least hours watched, the five most streamed American POC programming are as follows:
Ginny & Georgia (Season Two) - 665 Million
Wednesday (Season One) - 507 Million
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story - 503 Million
Ginny & Georgia (Season One) - 302 Million
Love Is Blind (Season Four) - 229 Million
Ginny & Georgia dominated the first half of 2023, with a total of 967 million hours watched across both seasons. Wednesday and Queen Charlotte proved that leading women of color can prosper in the competitive streaming space, overtaking both You and Outer Banks. The highest streamed American reality show for the first half of 2023 was season four of Love Is Blind, leading far ahead of Perfect Match, with only 176 million hours watched.
The 10 most watched American POC programs totaled 3.07 billion hours. It’s clear that people of color have shifted the streaming space and allowed for greater diversity and representation. The Netflix Engagement Report highlights the growing need for POC-centered content, and it’s becoming increasingly difficult for streaming services to ignore the immense popularity of these shows. Creators of color are accumulating opportunities to portray their culture as they see fit. Not only does this help negate harmful stereotypes, but it also grant visibility for POC, a group the media often overlooks.
Most Watched American POC Programming
Surprisingly, two of the top 10 most streamed titles on Netflix were international programs. The American entertainment industry held a stronghold on the world for a long time, but the past year saw a steady increase in international content among worldwide audiences. Examining the growth of international content in the Netflix Report proves this trend will not end anytime soon
From most to least hours watched, the five most streamed international POC programming ranks as follows:
The Glory (Season One) - 622 Million
La Reina Del Sur (Season Three) - 429 Million
Physical: 100 (Season One) - 235 Million
Crash Course In Romance (Limited Series) - 234 Million
XO, Kitty (Season One) - 200 Million
The Glory snuck into the top five, overtaking both Wednesday and Queen Charlotte despite being an international Netflix original. La Reina Del Sur ranks just below You, underscoring Spanish content’s role as a rising competitor in the Netflix streaming market. Physical: 100 was the most watched reality show in the first six months of 2023, beating out hits such as Love Is Blind and BEEF. The rise in South Korean programming demonstrates that international content is worth investing in; this knowledge may allow international creators the ability to create programming that showcases the culture of their respective countries. Representation is an international issue, and international programming provides a cultural exchange that could bridge gaps between countries and allow for deeper understanding of international societies.
The 10 most watched international POC programs totaled 2.57 billion hours watched. Breaking out of their countries, international programs have gained worldwide recognition. The report indicates the importance of defining representation within countries as well; representing different ethnic groups within international programming allows these cultures to be embraced organically. As emerging international content continues to gain visibility, audiences can explore cultures through various avenues just as POC representation increases.
Most Watched International POC Programming
Series starring people of color draw strong audiences that streaming platforms can’t ignore. International programming allows audiences to witness the cultural and societal differences that go unrecognized in American programming. Meanwhile, American programming continues to provide a glimpse into people of colors’ tumultuous lived reality. Their stories are platformed for millions to watch, allowing creators to share their stories and experiences as authentically as possible. People of color's immense reach across the globe not only breaks language barriers that many series struggle to overcome, but also emphasizes to streaming platforms that POC stories are worth telling.