Quick Hit:

Despite the constant influx of new content, older TV shows dominated the streaming platforms in 2023. Shows like "Suits," "Gilmore Girls," and "Friends," which debuted over a decade ago, topped the list of most streamed shows, according to Nielsen.

Key Details

• The most streamed show in 2023 was "Suits," a legal drama that premiered 12 years prior.
• Older shows dominated the top streamed list, possibly due to major strikes by Hollywood actors and writers that halted the production of new content.
• Old shows have larger libraries, providing more content for viewers to binge-watch, and they also benefit from repeat watches, particularly from younger audiences.

Diving Deeper:

Streaming platforms saw a surge in viewership of older shows in 2023, with "Suits" leading the pack. The show, which stars Meghan Markle, now the Duchess of Sussex, garnered more than 57 billion minutes of watch time. This trend was not limited to "Suits" alone. Other older shows like "Gilmore Girls" and "Friends" also saw a significant increase in viewership.

One possible reason for this trend could be the major strikes by Hollywood actors and writers that occurred in 2023. These strikes halted the production of a lot of new content, prompting viewers to revisit old favorites. Additionally, these shows offer a sense of nostalgia and comfort, which could have been particularly appealing during a year marked by uncertainty and change.

Another factor contributing to the popularity of older shows is the size of their libraries. Shows like "NCIS" and "Grey's Anatomy" have 21 and 19 seasons respectively, providing viewers with more content to binge-watch. Furthermore, these shows benefit from repeat watches, particularly from younger audiences who don't mind watching the same episode multiple times.

Despite the popularity of older shows, new content still found its way into the top 10 list of most streamed shows. However, none of these shows reached the same volume of time watched as the older, acquired programs did. This trend underscores the enduring appeal of older TV shows and their ability to compete with new content in the streaming era.