Stranger Things Tops TV Viewership for First Half of the Year; See Full List

Nielsen released its semiannual streaming report, and Stranger Things topped viewership in the first half of the year, with 23.26 billion minutes watched.

The Netflix series set records in the weeks following its finale, including the biggest weekly audience in Nielsen ranking history, with 8.65 billion minutes during the week of December 29.

Despite the performance, Stranger Things held a rare spot among streaming originals in the Top 10, which was dominated by linear titles. Bluey, from Disney+, came in second with 22.81 billion minutes. 

Among streaming originals,  The Pitt crossed the 20 billion-minute mark, with 21.12 billion, driven by a significant viewership increase in its second season compared to the first. Bridgerton was the only other streaming original in the Top 10, ranking sixth with 17.15 billion minutes.

Grey's Anatomy and The Big Bang Theory also made the list, both with more than 20 billion minutes.

Check out the full Top 10 for the first half of the year:

1. Stranger Things (Netflix) – 23.26 billion minutes

2. Bluey (Disney+) – 22.81 billion

3. The Pitt (HBO Max) – 21.12 billion

4. Grey's Anatomy (Hulu/Netflix) – 20.41 billion

5. The Big Bang Theory (HBO Max) – 20.40 billion

6. Bridgerton (Netflix) – 17.15 billion

7. SpongeBob SquarePants (Paramount+) – 16.89 billion

8. Family Guy (Hulu) – 15.96 billion

9. Bob's Burgers (Hulu) – 15.01 billion

10. PAW Patrol (Prime Video / Paramount+) – 13.56 billion

Nielsen also highlighted titles such as Landman (Paramount+), in 13th place with 12.4 billion, and Fallout (Prime Video), in 9th with 7.98 billion – the latter referring to its position among streaming originals, not the overall ranking. Among unscripted shows, The Traitors and Love Island USA led among streaming originals, with 7.74 billion and 7.62 billion, while The First 48 was the most watched in the genre, with 11.33 billion.