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Entertainment

11th Aug 2018

New poll reveals the most popular show on Netflix right now

Dave Hanratty

Everything old is new again, and apparently just as enjoyable…

Netflix is known for being secretive when it comes to information that clearly illustrates what exactly we’re all binging on.

In adopting a ‘cards close to the chest’ policy, it is difficult to gauge what exactly constitutes the most popular movies and TV shows on the platform, outside of occasionally released figures by Netflix itself.

A new report from Ofcom in the UK has provided some clarity, and the results aren’t terribly surprising.

The Media Nations report 2018 reveals the most-watched programmes on subscription streaming services, having surveyed 2,500 viewers in the UK.

At the top of the list? Why, it’s Friends, of course.

The twins who played Emma on Friends are now 16 and have landed a serious movie role

The news follows the release of all 234 episodes of the wildly popular sitcom, which has seen some people view the show as hugely problematic through a 2018 lens.

Despite those complaints, Friends reigns supreme, as does Netflix, with eight of the top 10 shows available on the streaming service.

Amazon, by contrast, has two; The Grand Tour and Vikings, while there’s no showing from competitive streaming services available in Ireland such as hayu and NOW TV.

There’s a pretty decent return for The Big Bang Theory, too. Elsewhere, there are no major shocks, with big hitters like Stranger Things, Peaky Blinders and Black Mirror in championship contention.

One arguable downside is the lack of Netflix original content such as House of Cards and Orange is the New Black, given the amount of money the company has dedicated to their exclusive programming.

The full top 10 most-watched shows according to the Ofcom report are:

  1. Friends | Netflix
  2. The Grand Tour | Amazon
  3. The Crown | Netflix
  4. Stranger Things | Netflix
  5. Peaky Blinders | Netflix
  6. Black Mirror | Netflix
  7. The Big Bang Theory | Netflix
  8. Brooklyn Nine-Nine | Netflix
  9. The Good Place | Netflix
  10. Vikings | Amazon