Apple TV+ Surpasses Netflix in Streaming Trends for Popular Returning TV Shows

When it comes to the streaming landscape, Netflix is widely recognized as the dominant player.This platform leads in subscriber numbers, far surpassing competitors like Prime Video, Disney+, Max, and Apple TV+. While not every Netflix production has received critical acclaim, several titles have become cultural phenomena, including Red Notice (2021), Squid Game, Wednesday, and Stranger Things. Notably, the second season of Squid Game accumulated an impressive 126.2 million views within its first 11 days of release.

In contrast, Apple TV+ may have a smaller subscriber base, but it boasts a lineup of critically lauded programming. Series like Slow Horses and For All Mankind have garnered attention, while Ted Lasso stands out as a fan favorite. Even the less-acclaimed The Morning Show draws substantial viewership. However, one Apple TV+ show has recently emerged as both a critical and popular darling, surpassing a Netflix title in terms of viewership.

Apple TV+ Series Severance Surpasses Popular Netflix Series

The Apple TV+ Series is Taking the Lead

Adam Scott as Mark Scout in Severance season 2 — Image via Apple TV+

Recent streaming analytics indicate that Apple TV+’s Severance has outshined a well-received show from Netflix. Created by Dan Erickson, the sci-fi mystery series follows Adam Scott as Mark Scout, an employee at Lumon Industries, who undergoes a procedure separating his work memories from his personal life. Following its critically acclaimed debut season in 2022, Severance season 2 kicked off on January 17, instantly capturing high praise and rapidly climbing the charts of Apple TV+’s top titles while deepening its compelling storyline.

Data collected by Reelgood reveals that Severance not only secured the top position among Apple TV+ offerings, but it also dominated all streaming platforms in the U. S.during the week of January 23-29. This includes outpacing Netflix’s The Night Agent, which ranked second after the release of its much-anticipated season 2 on January 23. Within Netflix’s own top 10, The Night Agent season 2 is in the lead, while season 1 follows in fourth place, marking a significant achievement for Severance.

Reelgood Top 10 (Jan.23 – 29)
1	Severance
2	The Night Agent
3	High Potential
4	A Real Pain
5	American Primeval
6	Paradise
7	The Substance
8	Silo
9	The Wild Robot
10	Prime Target

The Implications of Severance Surpassing The Night Agent for Apple TV+

Analyzing the Success of the Apple Series

It’s important to note that while Reelgood’s rankings reflect user engagement, it does not publish specific viewership figures. In contrast, Netflix reports that The Night Agent season 2 accumulated 13.9 million views from January 23 to 26, with additional data not yet available.Reelgood’s methodology is based on insights gathered from 20 million monthly viewing choices by users in the U. S., differing from Netflix’s method of calculating views by dividing total hours viewed by a show’s runtime.

This indicates that The Night Agent likely has a larger pool of hours available for viewers, yet Severance still managed to claim the top spot. Despite these limitations, the victory of Severance underscores its growing influence in the streaming arena. On Rotten Tomatoes, the second season holds an impressive 98% critic score and an 81% audience score, compared to The Night Agent season 2’s scores of 82% and 41%.The high quality of Severance is undoubtedly a significant factor in its streaming success.

Furthermore, Severance adopts a weekly release schedule, while The Night Agent opted for a binge format. This difference likely influences audience engagement over time. While Apple TV+ may not eclipse Netflix in subscriber numbers anytime soon, its commitment to producing popular content ensures that series like Severance continue to thrive. The anticipation for a third season of Severance now seems increasingly warranted.

New episodes of Severance season 2 are available every Friday on Apple TV+.

Source: Reelgood