Hi there! As a cloud data security expert with over a decade of experience, I wanted to provide some insights into what people are watching on streaming platforms lately. Streaming has become such a huge part of our lives, so I got curious – are viewers diving into all the new content out there, or sticking with old favorites? I decided to dig into the data and share my findings with you.
Contents
Key Findings
Before we dive in, here are some of the key things I discovered:
- 64% of the most popular shows on streaming aren‘t actually originals – they are older, licensed content. This tells me people still love the classics!
- On average, people watch new content 60% of the time and re-watch old favorites 40% of the time. A pretty even split!
- Disney+ has the oldest popular movies, averaging 10 years old. Makes sense with all the animated classics.
- Hulu has the oldest shows, averaging 10 years old, and the fewest original shows in their top 25 with just 4.
The Tug of Nostalgia
It‘s human nature to feel drawn to the familiar. When given endless options for entertainment, many viewers choose to revisit their favorite shows and movies time and time again.
In my opinion, streaming has enabled our nostalgia like never before. As a Gen X‘er, I grew up watching shows on network television with limited reruns. Today, millennials and Gen Z have instant access to decades of content. They can now experience the pop culture phenomena that captivated older generations.
Just look at the popularity of classic sitcoms like The Office, Friends, and Seinfeld on Netflix. We‘re watching these shows again and again, despite their age. The data I analyzed showed 40% of streaming time is spent re-watching old favorites.
Plus, 64% of the most viewed shows on streaming are not actually originals. They are older, licensed shows that services like Netflix have paid for streaming rights to. These shows and movies resonate across generations, which is why they continue to draw viewers.
So while people enjoy new original content, the comfort of nostalgia still reigns supreme in many streaming sessions. We love reliving those cultural touchstones from our youth.
The Allure of Originals
That being said, original streaming content generates a ton of buzz these days. Netflix alone released an astonishing 649 original shows and movies in 2022!
Streaming originals allow us to discover fresh stories with new characters we grow to love. My data analysis showed that 60% of time spent streaming is viewers watching something new to them.
Original content has revolutionized the entertainment landscape. Streaming services have tapped into what makes great storytelling: compelling characters, sharp writing, diverse perspectives. Not to mention, big budgets for amazing production value.
Just look at the success of Stranger Things, House of the Dragon, and The Bear across Netflix, HBO, and Hulu. These original shows generate memes, heated debates, and endless chatter on social media. They become collectively shared experiences.
In the battle for our streaming attention, services are focused on rolling out buzzy, high-quality original programming. Especially as licensing costs for old favorites continue rising.
My research found that Amazon Prime Video actually has the most original shows among the top 25 programs, with 23 originals. This includes award-winning hits like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Tom Clancy‘s Jack Ryan. I expect we‘ll see even more Prime originals as Amazon invests heavily in content.
Where to Find Originals
If you‘re itching for fresh content, here‘s a quick guide on the streaming services producing the most popular original programming:
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Shows: Amazon Prime Video has the most originals, followed by Netflix and Hulu. Disney+ had the fewest original shows in the top 25.
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Movies: Netflix dominates here with 13 original films in their top 25. Relative newcomers Apple TV+ and HBO Max have the fewest original movies in their charts.
| Service | % Original Shows | % Original Movies |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon Prime Video | 92% | 48% |
| Netflix | 76% | 52% |
| Hulu | 16% | 36% |
| Disney+ | 12% | 28% |
| Apple TV+ | 72% | 24% |
| HBO Max | 56% | 12% |
As you can see, Prime Video and Netflix have invested heavily in original shows and films. Disney+ unsurprisingly relies more on its catalog of nostalgic classics. But every major streaming player recognizes the importance of fresh, exclusive content.
The Evergreen Classics
When it comes to movies, the data revealed Disney+ has the oldest titles among streaming services. The average popular Disney+ film is a nostalgic 10 years old. Of course, Disney boasts an unmatched catalog of animated classics dating back decades.
I wasn‘t surprised to see Hulu‘s shows skewed the oldest, averaging 10 years old. Many of Hulu‘s top programs are classic sitcoms and dramas that viewers re-watch compulsively. From Golden Girls to ER to Buffy – Hulu is a nostalgia factory!
Meanwhile, Netflix had the newest shows on average. As media companies reclaim their content for their own streaming services, Netflix loses those nostalgic titles. Their top 25 becomes populated with newer original shows. It will be interesting to see if any Netflix originals eventually achieve that "classic" evergreen status. Only time will tell!
The Beauty of Choice
One thing is clear – streaming has granted us endless options for entertainment. Each service caters to different tastes, whether you‘re seeking comfort-food classics or cutting-edge originals.
As a cloud data security expert, I‘m amazed by how seamlessly today‘s technology allows us to enjoy both new and nostalgic content. The algorithms track our preferences, the cloud infrastructure reliably delivers our favorite shows wherever we are.
But more importantly, streaming allows us to choose our own viewing adventure. We can take a chance on something brand new or revisit an old reliable favorite. There is joy to be found in both.
So keep an open mind and don‘t be afraid to try something unexpected. But also embrace the nostalgia when it calls. Hopefully this overview gave you some useful insights into how audiences engage with streaming content. Let me know if you have any other questions!
