Netflix will cease its semiannual data releases detailing views and time spent on its content, opting instead for annual reports starting in 2027.
Steady Growth in Viewing Time
For the first half of 2026, Netflix users worldwide logged approximately 97.7 billion hours watching series and films, marking a 2% increase from the same period last year. This is a slight rise from the 97.1 billion hours recorded in the second half of 2025. A consistent pattern of modest growth has been observed since a 4% decline in the second half of 2023.
Change in Reporting Strategy
In its quarterly earnings letter, Netflix explained that the shift to annual data drops aims to emphasize the quality and variety of its offerings beyond just view hours. The company stated, "The goal of separating the publication of the report from our earnings results is to keep the focus on our primary financial metrics — revenue and operating profit." Following the current What We Watched report for the first half of 2026, the next release is scheduled for the first quarter of 2027.
Top Performers in Series and Films
In the first half of 2026, His & Hers led the series chart with 104 million views. Season four of Bridgerton followed with 100.2 million views, although it topped the hours viewed category with 889.8 million hours due to its longer runtime. Despite its late June release, I Will Find You garnered 63.9 million views, surpassing the final season of Stranger Things with 55.6 million views.
Movies Capture the Audience
The top movies for the first half of the year were War Machine and The Rip, with 146.9 million and 136.1 million views, respectively. They also led in watch time, with War Machine at 266.8 million hours and The Rip at 256.4 million hours.
As has been typical, viewing was concentrated among a select few titles. The top 200 shows accounted for approximately 36% of all series views and 34% of viewing time. Similarly, the top 200 films represented 34% of both views and total watch time.
Source: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/his-and-hers-netflix-data-release-january-june-2026-1236650481/
