# Netflix Takes Big Data Transparency Step, Releasing Viewing Numbers for 18,000 Titles **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** netflix, movies\ **Created:** [December 13, 2023, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-takes-big-data-transparency-step-releasing-viewing-numbers-for-18-000-titles/994523 "2023-12-13T04:26:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2023, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-takes-big-data-transparency-step-releasing-viewing-numbers-for-18-000-titles/994523/1 "2023-12-13T04:26:09Z")
> **[Netflix Takes Big Data Transparency Step, Releasing Viewing Numbers for...](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/netflix-releases-viewing-data-for-18000-tv-shows-movies-1235745500/)** > > 'The Night Agent' and season two of 'Ginny & Georgia' were the most watched shows in the first half of 2023. The Netflix info on the report: **What We Watched: A Netflix Engagement Report** [https://about.netflix.com/en/news/what-we-watched-a-netflix-engagement-report](https://about.netflix.com/en/news/what-we-watched-a-netflix-engagement-report) And to download the list of 18,000 + titles in spreadsheet (xlsx) format: [https://assets.ctfassets.net/4cd45et68cgf/1HyknFM84ISQpeua6TjM7A/97a0a393098937a8f29c9d29c48dbfa8/What\_We\_Watched\_A\_Netflix\_Engagement\_Report\_2023Jan-Jun.xlsx](https://assets.ctfassets.net/4cd45et68cgf/1HyknFM84ISQpeua6TjM7A/97a0a393098937a8f29c9d29c48dbfa8/What_We_Watched_A_Netflix_Engagement_Report_2023Jan-Jun.xlsx) I find this odd as I expected Netflix would consider this proprietary information. But maybe it has something to do with the recent labor negotiations where the unions want residuals on streaming. ---
**Author:** ![epbrown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e47774/32.png) [@epbrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epbrown)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2023, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-takes-big-data-transparency-step-releasing-viewing-numbers-for-18-000-titles/994523/2 "2023-12-14T03:41:34Z")
I think it’s a master-stroke. The unions have been asking for this data and everyone else has been stonewalling. Netflix may be able to sidestep a longer strike by getting union approval to work with them while everyone else is stuck still negotiating. They’d soon be the only production company producing new content, as well as getting first pick as far as talent. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2023, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-takes-big-data-transparency-step-releasing-viewing-numbers-for-18-000-titles/994523/3 "2023-12-14T12:18:54Z")
I’ve watched a lot of Netflix over the past couple of years and I’ve never even heard of **Ginny & Georgia**. Ditto for **Firefly Lane**. I guess the almighty algorithm determined I wouldn’t be interested? ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2023, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-takes-big-data-transparency-step-releasing-viewing-numbers-for-18-000-titles/994523/4 "2023-12-14T16:47:53Z")
A lot of Korean shows on that list, including the number 3 show. ---
**Author:** ![Reno\_Nevada\_Jr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecc23a/32.png) [@Reno\_Nevada\_Jr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reno_Nevada_Jr)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2023, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-takes-big-data-transparency-step-releasing-viewing-numbers-for-18-000-titles/994523/5 "2023-12-14T18:52:53Z")
I think it is interesting how fast the numbers drop. After about 7 or 8 titles they are reporting 50% of the engagement for #1. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2023, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-takes-big-data-transparency-step-releasing-viewing-numbers-for-18-000-titles/994523/6 "2023-12-14T19:14:01Z")
You might not be aware but the strikes are over. So I don’t see how this is some sort of master stroke. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2023, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-takes-big-data-transparency-step-releasing-viewing-numbers-for-18-000-titles/994523/7 "2023-12-14T21:26:33Z")
Wow, it’s interesting that some of their very-hyped ‘prestige’ shows are way down the list. None of these shows are in the top 50. Most aren’t even in the top 100: Stranger Things The Crown The Witcher Better Call Saul Breaking Bad Peaky Blinders Narcos Orange is the New Black Shameless Bojack Horseman The 100 The Last Kingdom The Lincoln Lawyer I’m sure the reason is a global audience. But this has to put a damper on investment in new ‘prestige’ ahows. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2023, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-takes-big-data-transparency-step-releasing-viewing-numbers-for-18-000-titles/994523/8 "2023-12-14T22:36:52Z")
I think the main issue is whether these shows had any new episodes in the specific time frame (January to June 2023). Just to take a couple examples I’m familiar with, The Crown had no new episodes in that period, and Breaking Bad hasn’t had any new episodes since 2013. But also, yes, the global audience. We rarely talk about Korean dramas here, except maybe for Squid Game, but they are hugely popular all over the world.