Mind the gap: Hype pushes OTT shows high on viewership charts but audience favourites are another story
Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. Some shows on streaming platforms may have gained high viewership from the hype built around them and generous marketing spends, but these web originals don’t necessarily become audience favourites.
The list of most-watched Hindi streaming originals in 2024 was led by the third seasons of Mirzapur and Panchayat, followed by Heeramandi, Indian Police Force and Thukra Ke Mera Pyaar, according to media consulting firm Ormax. However, the list of most-liked Hindi web series was topped by Panchayat, followed by The Legend of Hanuman, Kota Factory, Gullak and then Mirzapur.
Experts said the discrepancy between the most-watched and the most-liked shows reveals that viewership is often driven by anticipation, hype and marketing, whereas liking is a deeper metric that reflects greater engagement and long-term impact. Incidentally, high-budget, tentpole shows such as Mirzapur, Panchayat, Heeramandi and Citadel: Honey Bunny also rank high on marketing buzz.
“High viewership can often be driven by significant promotional campaigns or the allure of a popular brand or celebrity like the release of a big film on OTT platforms or content featuring well-known personalities with a dedicated fan following, where viewership numbers spike due to the large fan base," said Nitin Gupta, chief content officer of Chaupal, a platform for Punjabi, Haryanvi and Bhojpuri content. “Liking ratings may not always align [with viewership rankings] if the content fails to live up to expectations or if audiences disengage quickly." In contrast, Chaupal titles Outlaw and Vardaat have found a cult following, even with relatively low viewership, Gupta added.
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