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What The World Watches on Netflix

With almost 250 million subscribers globally, Netflix is the largest streaming service in the world. So, what are its most popular shows?


Still from Netflix show The Night Agent
The Night Agent | Netflix

Netflix has released viewer data on 99 percent of its catalogue for the first time, covering around 100 billion hours of streaming. It's doing so because its lack of transparency was central to this year's Hollywood strikes, which paralysed the film and television industry for several months, says BBC News.


Netflix co-chief executive Ted Sarandos says: "We believe the viewing information in this report... will give creators and our industry deeper insights into our audiences, and what resonates with them."


The streaming giant's What We Watched report ranks 18,000 titles by the amount of hours viewed between January and June this year. The company said it will now release the report every six months.


The top performing shows? Well, users around the world watched The Night Agent for 812 million hours, making the political thriller its most viewed show in the first half of this year. This was followed by Ginny and Georgia (season 2) on 665m, The Glory on 622m, Wednesday on 507m and in fifth spot was period drama Queen Charlotte with 503m viewing hours.


The Mother starring Jennifer Lopez was the top movie, watched for more than 249 million hours.


The What We Watched report showed 55 percent of Netflix viewing came from original films and series and 45 percent from licensed titles, according to Mr Sarandos.

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