gonna stop you right there.
first 100% those are not the actual numbers. SambaTV only can show viewership numbers for people that have a TV with Samaba on it, and with people who are using the App. So that doesn't include people who don't use Samba, or people who watch on their phone, tablet or computer. Which of course is a HUGE amount. Probably half the market there.
Second Disney would NEVER allow any of the viewership numbers to actually get released. Remember this was a HUGE part of the strikes last year. No streaming service wants the actual numbers to be released. Even if Disney puts out a press release with views I would be very skeptical.
Third and probably most importantly, how many people watched the first episode 2 weeks later? 3 weeks? How many people watched it once the series was complete? More and more people binge watch shows which is never taken into account with these things. We know this happens all the time and you bringing up Suits got more views years later on Netflix then it ever did when it was aired. This is the true power and importance of Streaming.
People who talk about how important a show is watched in the first week are well dinosaurs and don't understand how Streaming has impacted the entertainment industry.
The entire reason a show wanted to get huge viewership it's first broadcast is because of ad revenue. More eyeballs means more money. That isn't how streaming works because well... obviously no ads. Even those with Ads the money they make from a subscription is way more.
So the entire point of tracking viewing numbers for a shows first broadcast is competely meaningless.
Now let's take those numbers as 100% accurate and they never got any more views after they aired.
Well clearly that's more then enough views for Disney and they consider them all a success since all of those shows are getting more seasons. If they were failures we knew Disney would have put them out to pasture like Willow.
That's the true measure of a streaming shows success, weather or not it get's a second season, remains on streaming and more importantly if it gets a physical release. Disney has shown enough confidence in its shows to released them not only in blu ray but also 4k.
Dont stop me but the 46 Million who own A Simba TV.
First, you’re right that Samba TV doesn’t capture everyone—it only includes data from TVs with Samba software and users who have opted in. But this data still represents a significant sample size, with Samba TV gathering data from about 46 million TV devices globally, including around 28 million in the U.S. This is enough to provide statistically significant insights into broader viewing trends, much like political polling does even though it doesn’t survey every single person
Second, while it’s true that Disney and other streaming services don’t release all their viewership data, they do use metrics like those from Samba TV for internal analysis and strategic decision-making. The strikes last year were indeed about transparency, but companies still selectively release data to highlight successes and shape public perception.
Third, you make a good point about binge-watching and long-term viewership. Initial viewership numbers don’t capture the full picture of a show’s success over time. However, these early metrics are still important—they generate buzz, drive promotions, and create word-of-mouth momentum that can significantly impact a show’s overall success. Samba TV’s data helps provide early insights that are valuable for these purposes
Saying that tracking first-week viewing numbers is completely meaningless ignores their role in shaping initial marketing and promotional strategies. These numbers are a piece of the puzzle, helping streaming services understand early reactions and plan future campaigns
while shows may gain more views over time, strong initial numbers can be crucial for ensuring a show’s continuation and additional seasons. Disney’s confidence in its shows, shown through renewals and physical releases, often starts with positive early viewership metrics
So, while Samba TV isn’t perfect and doesn’t cover every viewer, it still provides valuable early insights that help companies like Disney make informed decisions about their content. It’s not about having perfect data, but about using the best available data to navigate the market effectively.
