'Stranger Things' Season 2 Gets 15.8 Million Viewers in Three Days; Kiss Draws Flak From Viewers
"Stranger Things" season 2 averaged 15.8 million viewers within three days of its release on Netflix. Nielsen took the ratings data but the streaming platform denied the figures and cited it was inaccurate.
Nielsen also revealed that "Stranger Things" season 2 had 11 million viewers in its key demographic (ages 18-49) from Oct. 27 to 29. Over 361,000 Netflix subscribers, on the other hand, binge-watched the whole season's nine episodes within 24 hours of its release on Friday, Oct 27.
Netflix, however, objected to the data Nielsen gathered. The company released a statement following Nielsen's announcement it will begin measuring streaming platform viewings.
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"Their math might be from the upside down," a Netflix rep told Market Watch. "Nielsen only measures a fraction of our members' viewing. For example, they don't measure mobile viewing."
Time and again, Netflix bosses said their company will not make their numbers public. The streaming company doesn't sell advertising spots that put a big emphasis on a show's ratings since it is subscriptions from consumers that drive the company's earnings.
The industry, however, has always been curious about how the platform fares versus traditional television. Hence, the fascination with Netflix's ratings continues to be in discussions.
Meanwhile, an unscripted kiss between Sadie Sink (Max) and Caleb McLaughlin (Lucas) became controversial among "Stranger Things" viewers online. Fans grew uncomfortable upon learning how the actors' first kiss in reel and real life played out.
The Duffer brothers teased the 15-year-old actress during the filming of the dance scene about the kiss and Sink began freaking out. The kiss wasn't written in the script but show creators Matt and Ross Duffer forced it.
Ross revealed they were only joking when they teased Sink but because of her reaction, they decided to proceed with the kiss anyway. Viewers thought this was exploitation. The Duffer brothers and Netflix have not issued a statement nor clarification about this controversy as of press time.
