Did the ‘Star Wars’ Series Canceled Due to Ratings Actually Have Strong Viewership?

Recent revelations regarding The Acolyte have stirred discussions among fans and critics alike. Initially, it was suggested that its ratings did not meet expectations for a second season. However, new reports indicate that the series was actually one of the most-watched on Disney+, ranked second overall on the platform for viewership.

According to a report by Deadline, The Acolyte amassed an impressive 2.7 billion minutes viewed. Despite this, viewership reportedly declined following its first two episodes, contributing to the decision to cancel the series. This observation was echoed by ScreenRant, which suggested that the drop-off in viewership significantly influenced Disney’s final verdict.

This presents a perplexing dilemma: although The Acolyte was the second most viewed series on Disney+, it fell just short by 300, 000 minutes compared to Percy Jackson and the Olympians, which garnered a second season with 3 billion minutes viewed. This disparity raises questions regarding the consistency and criteria of Disney+’s decision-making processes for renewing or canceling shows.

Further insights into this situation were provided by a Luminate Data report which addressed the trends within viewership for various shows. It noted that both The Acolyte and Skeleton Crew experienced significant drops in ratings. The report commented: “Despite a promising start… The Acolyte was canceled shortly after its first-season finale, ” hinting at the mixed reactions from fans as a potential factor in its downfall.

Moreover, the report suggested that Disney should reconsider its approach as Skeleton Crew hasn’t performed significantly better. With only one live-action Star Wars series planned for 2025, namely Andor Season 2, industry analysts recommend a strategic overhaul to address the franchise’s concerning trend of diminishing returns.

THE ACOLYTE was the #2 most viewed series on Disney+ in 2024 with over 2.7 billion minutes viewed(Source: https://t.co/2o5k2VwPko) pic.twitter.com/6cppoAUYUy

— Star Wars Holocron (@sw_holocron) January 26, 2025

The swift cancellation of The Acolyte is perplexing when its viewership statistics suggest a robust following. The fact that it was superseded only by one other series, which marginally outperformed it, raises eyebrows regarding the cancellation rationale. Given its performance metrics, it would seem that a more thorough evaluation was warranted.

What’s Going Wrong?

The backlash against The Acolyte was partly fueled by a vocal minority from the right-wing YouTube community, which led to significant review bombing of the series. Such targeted negativity has cast a long shadow over shows that attempt to explore new narratives within the beloved franchise.

This wave of hostility not only disheartened the fans who valued the show but also muddied the waters regarding its performance. While the decline in ratings is indeed significant, the show’s standing as the second most viewed series on Disney+ cannot be overlooked. The contentiousness surrounding the show’s reception may have hastened its cancellation despite its engagement metrics.

Ultimately, the timing of Disney’s announcement about The Acolyte not securing a second season raised further concerns. The network’s decision felt abrupt, especially in light of this new information showcasing its strong viewership. It leaves the impression that external pressures may have influenced decisions more than audience numbers, signaling a troubling trend where viewer engagement is compromised by vocal dissenters.

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