HBO Max Surpasses 9 Million Viewers and Continues to Grow
HBO Max has recently gained significant traction with its latest series, *Heated Rivalry*, captivating audiences since its debut in late November. The show has become a social media phenomenon, transforming actors Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams into overnight stars.
Impressive Viewership for Heated Rivalry
According to HBO’s first-party data, *Heated Rivalry* is achieving an average of 9 million viewers per episode across the United States. This impressive figure is expected to grow over the coming weeks, as HBO Max tracks viewership for 90 days post-premiere.
- Average viewership: 9 million viewers per episode
- Tracking period: 90 days after premiere
Second Season Already Greenlit
The success of *Heated Rivalry* prompted HBO Max and its Canadian partner, Crave, to quickly approve a second season. This decision highlights the show’s placement among the top-tier offerings of HBO Max.
Ranking Challenges with Nielsen
Despite its success, *Heated Rivalry* has not yet appeared in Nielsen’s streaming charts. The ratings company has provided data for five weeks, but the series has failed to break into the top 10. The classification of the show as an acquired series instead of an original series is likely the reason for this discrepancy.
- Acquired status: Considered an acquired series due to its origin with Crave
- Top 10 threshold for acquired series: 565 million minutes of watch time
- Top 10 for original series: 363 million minutes of viewing
The metrics show that acquired series face higher benchmarks for viewer engagement compared to original shows. Shows that dominate this chart often have extensive back catalogs, such as *Grey’s Anatomy* and *NCIS*, each boasting more than 450 episodes.
Challenges of Weekly Releases
*Heated Rivalry* follows a weekly release schedule with a limited number of episodes. This approach can disadvantage it in comparison to shows with larger episode counts. Although it is common for HBO productions to reach the acquired rankings eventually, they typically involve larger marketing budgets and established intellectual properties.
In the case of *Heated Rivalry,* HBO Max secured U.S. rights only nine days before the premiere, limiting promotional efforts. This context makes the current average of 9 million viewers even more commendable.
