Netflix: Users spent 812 million hours watching The Night Agent

Netflix, the global streaming giant, has disclosed viewer data on 99% of its catalogue for the first time. The Night Agent, a political thriller, was watched for a staggering 812 million hours worldwide, making it the most viewed show in the first half of this year.

Netflix has previously faced criticism for its lack of transparency regarding the performance of its content. This issue was a key factor in this year's Hollywood strikes, which brought the film and television industry to a standstill for several months. Actors and writers have been advocating for higher royalties for shows that perform well on streaming platforms.

During a conference call with the media, co-chief executive Ted Sarandos admitted that the lack of transparency about the popularity of its shows had led to distrust within the creator community. He explained that Netflix had kept its viewer data private while it was building the business to avoid giving away crucial information to potential competitors. However, the company now believes that sharing this information will provide creators and the industry with deeper insights into their audiences and what resonates with them.