You’re Still Hooked and Netflix Knows Why

stranger-thingsNetflix releases the latest set of hooked episodes* and it turns out nothing brings the world together like thrilling mysteries, young love, family drama and criminal behavior. Also, dogs…

The world’s leading Internet TV network expanded last year’s research to look at more than 30 additional series** on a global scale (viewing spanned six continents) to pinpoint the episode that took watchers from casual to committed – that is, the episode that kept 70% of viewers watching through a first season’s end. In doing so, Netflix discovered viewing behavior – and fandom – is quite universal. Regardless of whether they live in Argentina or Japan, members are not only getting hooked on similar episodes, but identifying with similar storylines.

Fear of the unknown turned watchers upside down for Stranger Things (Where’s Will, where’s Barb and what’s a Demogorgon?!; episode 2) and had them bewitched with American Horror Story: Murder House (The dead roam freely on All Hallows’ Eve; episode 4). The underworld of political corruption, whether it’s Pablo Escobar’s thirst for power in Colombia or Robert Taro’s fight to keep it in France, had members addicted to both Narcos and Marseille by episode 3. Unsurprisingly, the curiosity of criminality had members arrested to The Fall (Paul Spector proves murder is not a spectator sport; episode 2), Prison Break (Michael finds staying alive in prison is harder than breaking out; episode 3) and Making A Murderer (Brendan Dassey is interrogated; episode 4).

However, not all hooked moments were dark or deadly. Love was the key to get viewers falling for Gilmore Girls (Rory’s first kiss!; episode 7), Jane the Virgin (Jane rekindles an old flame, episode 7) andGrey’s Anatomy (Meredith gets steamy with McDreamy in an elevator; episode 2). Relationships of the familial kind had members relating to The Get Down (Mylene’s future hits a high note, but her relationship with her father hits a new low, episode 2), Club de Cuervos (Chava derails plans for the Iglesias soccer dynasty; episode 4) and The Ranch (The only thing bigger than Colt’s ego is Beau’s stubbornness; episode 3). A mix of the two is what worked for Fuller House when puppy Cosmo rounds out the Tanner clan in episode 4.

CindyHolland (1)

Cindy Holland

“We’ve always believed there is a universality to great stories. The Internet allows us to share these stories with a global audience and what we see from the data is how similar our members watch and respond,” said Cindy Holland, Vice President of Original Content at Netflix. “The hooked findings give us confidence that there is an appetite for original and unique content all over the world, which is why we’re excited to deliver variety in stories to our members, whether they’re political dramas from France or musical dramas from the Bronx.”

According to the research, here are the global episodes where members got hooked:

Show Hooked Episode Synopsis
American Horror Story: Murder House

4

Two of the house’s previous residents, interior designers Chad and Patrick, give the Harmons decorating advice.
Between

3

Tensions escalate as a power outage cuts off communication with the outside world; a text suggests Ronnie is involved in something sinister.
Club de Cuervos

4

Chava battles with Coach Goyo. Meanwhile, Isabel struggles to do business with a sexist sponsor.
Fuller House

4

Jackson tries to help Ramona at school but that lands them both in trouble and leads to a disagreement between DJ and Kimmy over parenting styles.
Gilmore Girls

7

Rory shares a romantic moment with Dean, but doesn’t tell Lorelai. When Lorelai hears about it from Mrs. Kim, she invites Dean over for movie night.
Gotham

7

Penguin reveals a new element of his manipulative strategy, forcing Gordon to deal with the consequences of his decision to spare Penguin’s life.
Grey’s Anatomy

2

Meredith puts her career on the line to save a newborn in the hospital nursery.
How to Get Away With Murder

3

A soccer mom arrested for a petty crime turns out to be a terrorist; Annalise represents a college football star linked to Lila’s disappearance.
iZombie

4

A new case involving a brutal gang murder puts suspicions about Clive’s past into Liv’s head. Major finally makes a decision on his new roommate.
Jane the Virgin

7

Jane finds it difficult to avoid Rafael when her friends take her to one of his clubs; Xo and Rogelio plan a double date; Petra schemes to make trouble for Rafael.
Jessica Jones

4

A new case demands attention as Jessica tries to find out who’s spying on her for Kilgrave. Trish’s radio show yields unexpected consequences.
Love

3

Gus faces a make-or-break situation at work, while Mickey navigates a dicey new dynamic with her boss.
Making a Murderer

4

An unexpected confession casts doubt on Steven’s role in the murder case, but the new suspect gives conflicting accounts of what occurred.
Marseille

3

Mysterious messages put Taro on edge as he seeks a shortcut back into the race. Rachel struggles to come to terms with her new future.
Master of None

4

Dev has a series of eye-opening experiences after he encounters some casual racism in TV auditions.
Narcos

3

Murphy encounters the depths of government corruption when he and Peña try to derail Escobar’s political ambitions by proving he’s a narco.
Orphan Black

2

With a body in her car and nowhere to turn, Sarah is forced to continue her con and earn “Beth” a second chance on the force.
Outlander

5

On the road with Dougal and his men to collect rents, Claire encounters troubling scenes and begins to suspect a hidden scheme.
Prison Break

3

Michael encounters problems bringing Abruzzi and Sucre into his plan. Meanwhile, Lincoln considers having a family member attend his execution.
Scream

3

Just as the killer challenges her to a dangerous game, Emma learns that her mother has been keeping more secrets.
Stranger Things

2

Lucas, Mike and Dustin try to talk to the girl they found in the woods. Hopper questions an anxious Joyce about an unsettling phone call.
Teen Wolf

3

Scott’s first date with Allison ends up in the confusion of the dreaded “group date” with Lydia and Jackson in tow.
The 100

2

Having discovered that Jasper may still be alive, Clarke, Bellamy, Octavia, Finn and Monty set out on a mission to locate their friend.
The Americans

3

Philip and Elizabeth discover that their murdered colleague Robert had a wife they never knew about; Stan’s investigation into Robert’s death puts him hot on their trail.
The Fall

2

Gibson’s worst fears are realized as Spector’s murder spree in Belfast continues and a reckless decision has her facing some very real consequences.
The Flash

4

To steal a priceless diamond, Captain Cold acquires a specialized gun that can slay the Flash. Meanwhile, Joe disapproves of Iris and Eddie dating.
The Get Down

2

The guys seek spiritual advice from a grandmaster. Mylene’s future might be in the hands of her father and politically powerful uncle.
The Good Wife

6

Alicia agrees to a conjugal visit with Peter to get information from him because her client was convicted during his regime as state’s attorney.
The Last Kingdom

2

Caught between his scheming uncle Aelfric and pitiless Viking warlord Ubba, Uhtred goes on the run and seeks out Alfred, the man who would be king.
The Ranch

3

Colt comes to a realization after his ego puts him in hot water; Beau’s doctor wants him to switch from steaks to salads.

 

*Methodology:
The data in this research was pulled from Netflix member accounts who started watching season one of the selected series from January 2015 to August 2016 for Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Chile, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Sweden, UK and US and January 2016 to August 2016 for Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Turkey, and UAE. A hooked episode was defined when 70% of viewers who watched that episode went on to complete season one of the same series. Hooked episodes were first identified by country, then averaged to create the global hooked episode. The hooked episode had no correlation to total viewership numbers or season attrition. While the Netflix research did confirm episodes, it didn’t indicate specific plot points.

**Not all shows are available in all countries

About Netflix
Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX) is the world’s leading Internet television network with over 83 million members in over 190 countries enjoying more than 125 million hours of TV shows and movies per day, including original series, documentaries and feature films. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on nearly any Internet-connected screen. Members can play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments.

 

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Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160920/410131

Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101014/SF81638LOGO

SOURCE  Netflix

 

CONTACT: Erin Dwyer, edwyer@netflix.com

 

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