This weekend, binge on the most watched OTT shows in the US

NEW DELHI: If you are on the prowl to find some hot new online shows to watch this weekend, take a look at what’s trending in the US. It will give you some insights on the most popular movies and shows across streaming platforms.

According to the latest report from US-based information, data and market measurement firm Nielsen, some of the most watched titles on OTTs as of the end of January (week of 25 January 2021 - 31 January 2021) are on the popular online platform, Netflix. They comprise an eclectic mix of originals and acquired shows, encompassing dramas, reality shows, sitcoms, movies and documentaries.

Amongst the top original shows, two Netflix shows with a similar setting, both based in the UK, both involving the Queen and the royal family have been keeping audiences across age groups riveted. One, The Crown – a historical drama series about the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, created and written by Peter Morgan, revolving around the lives of the British royal family and the events that shaped them, spanning across almost three quarters of the century. The other, Bridgeton, is a fictional period drama based on a novel series by Julia Quinn and produced by Shonda Rhimes, set in Regency era Britain.  

Starring English actors Phoebe Dynevor and Regé-Jean Page, Bridgerton premiered on Netflix on 25 December 2020. The eight-episode first season has become the most watched series on Netflix and has completed its fifth consecutive successful week on the streaming platform. In January 2021, the series was renewed for a second season.

The Crown, on the other hand, has been a staple on Netflix through its past three seasons since its debut in 2016. Nevertheless, the fourth season covering the tenure of two of the most enigmatic women in recent British history – Princess Diana and the former UK PM, Margaret Thatcher – generated tremendous curiosity and hype.

Some of the other top original Netflix shows include Fate: The Winx Saga, Cobra Kai and Blown Away among others. WandaVision, streaming on Disney+ (and available on Disney+Hotstar in India) is the only non-Netflix show trending. It’s an American miniseries based on the Marvel Comics characters Wanda Maximoff (aka Scarlet Witch) and The Vision, set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. WandaVision is produced by Disney-owned Marvel Studios.

Amongst the most watched acquired shows, long running American television productions like Criminal Minds and Greys Anatomy managed to hold the fort. In fact, Grey's Anatomy, an American medical drama television series that premiered in 2005, is the longest-running scripted primetime series carried by ABC. The fictional series focuses on the lives of surgical interns and residents, as they develop into seasoned doctors while balancing personal and professional relationships. The series was most recently renewed for its seventeenth season

Criminal Minds is an American police procedural crime drama television series which also premiered in 2005 on CBS, and concluded in 2020. It follows a group of criminal profilers who work for the FBI as members of its Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) and tells the story of the team as they work various cases, and tackle their personal struggles.

Canadian television sitcom Schitts Creek, American biographical telenovela Mariposa de Barrio, and historical drama series Outlander have also acquired a loyal fanbase. Schitts Creek follows the formerly wealthy Rose family's trials and tribulations after the family loses its fortune and relocates to Schitt's Creek, a small town. Mariposa de Barrio is based on the autobiography Unbreakable: My Story, My Way authored by Jenni Rivera before her death and was published posthumously.

So keep an eye on these trending shows. They’re popular for a reason, and whether you’re looking for a mind-numbing escape or just an entertaining ride, you’ll probably find your next favourite binge through this list. Happy binge-watching!

[Data sourced from: https://www.nielsen.com/us/en/top-ten/]