NBC Reveals "Ratings" for Netflix Shows
As the battle between network television and streaming wages on, Entertainment Weekly tells us NBC dropped some knowledge on a secret that Netflix has kept closely guarded up until now...their ratings. Using a sample group, NBC hired tech company Symphony to load "soundtrack recognition" software that could distinguish what show you were watching by listening through your phone's audio.
Of course, the data they provided was skewed towards making NBC look like it's winning the battle against Netflix and streaming, when in actuality it's far more complicated than that. Here are the numbers though for the shows they did sample...
- Jessica Jones-4.8 million viewers
- Narcos-3.2 million viewers
- Master of None-3.9
Essentially, they have the ratings of good CW shows.
While not competitive against The Voice with its 9 million viewers, that's NBC's highest rated show presently. It's very convenient that NBC chose not to sample data on Orange is The New Black, Daredevil, or House of Cards, or Making A Murderer, which are undoubtedly higher. Mind you, this is all independent speculation on NBC's part and in no way official numbers...but they seem valid.
Beyond that, you can't measure Netflix by the same standard as you do network television. Shelf life is much higher for Netflix shows, and really, the only reason networks have ratings are to show advertisers who watches their show and when so they can sell them ads. Netflix shouldn't have to give their ratings out to the public if they don't want to sell ads! I know this is a bit techy, and "yawn" kind of news, but I think it's important we stay in the loop as the war against Netflix will truly begin this year. Any thoughts on your end?