This Was Most-Watched Streaming Original in 2023

Nielsen exec Brian Fuhrer says Ted Lasso was such a big hit that he initially thought an error had occurred at the ratings company. The series was the most-watched original series on a streaming service last year, though its maker, Apple TV+, has fewer viewers than any other service Nielsen measures. "Even though Apple TV+ didn't have the biggest footprint, a lot of people have either watched it multiple times or they've had more people come into their viewing pool and watch it," Fuhrer tells the Hollywood Reporter. The sports comedy-drama is the first non-Netflix series to take the top spot in the four years Nielsen has been releasing streaming rankings.

But even Ted Lasso, which was viewed for a total of 16.9 billion minutes, couldn't crack the 10 most-viewed titles on streaming services, a list dominated by "library" titles, Deadline reports. Suits topped the list, with 57.7 billion viewing minutes on Netflix and Peacock, followed by Bluey, with 43.9 billion viewing minutes on Disney+. It was a similar story with movies. Moana, which came out in 2016, was top of the list with 11.6 billion viewing minutes on Disney+. "Originals are sprinters, like Usain Bolt getting that quick run, and the acquired titles are more distance runners," Fuhrer says. (More Nielsen ratings stories.)