‘Landman’ Beats ‘Squid Game’ in First Streaming Chart of 2025

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Given all the excitement surrounding the second season of , it appeared that Netflix’s dominance was set to conquer every ratings war it entered during its initial release weeks. Yet, while the seven fresh episodes from Season 2 were devoured by millions of fans in a binge-watching frenzy, the South Korean sensation faced an unexpected competitor in claiming the number one spot on the first streaming chart of the year. Instead, another powerhouse, riding high with his latest series, , claimed victory and took the top spot.

Despite some criticism towards the finale of Sheridan’s “Yellowstone”, it doesn’t signify that people have stopped watching his extensive collection of shows on Paramount+. From “Tulsa King” to “Lioness”, Sheridan currently holds a strong influence in television, and the latest addition, “Landman” starring Billy Bob Thornton and Demi Moore, is just another triumph for him.

According to a report by The Wrap, data from Samba TV for the first chart of 2025 showed that the debut of Squid Game on December 26 might have caused it to be overtaken in the ranking from December 30 by Landman. In its initial four days, an impressive 2.2 million U.S. households tuned into Squid Game, a remarkable feat for any show. However, with Landman, which initially premiered in November and airs new episodes weekly, managing to surpass Squid Game from December 30 to January 5, this outcome is likely due to Landman garnering positive reviews and heading towards its season finale this week.

Has ‘Squid Game’ Lost Its Edge?

The initial week’s chart of television shows doesn’t offer a straightforward comparison of their popularity. For that week, Netflix dominated the Top 10, with Harlan Coben’s latest show “Missing You” securing third place. The festive action movie “Carry-On” came in second, while the fifth spot was taken by the sixth season of “Virgin River”. Interestingly, “Squid Game” Season 1 reappeared at number nine on the list as viewers showed renewed interest with the arrival of a new season.

When evaluating the success of the series ‘Landman’, it’s crucial to understand that its weekly release format brings in new viewers who often binge on older episodes before tuning into the latest installment. Conversely, ‘Squid Game’ was released as a complete season, enabling viewers to watch the entire series within a few hours on its debut day. This rapid consumption was driven by an effort to steer clear of spoilers that swiftly circulated online after release. Due to this dynamic, a show like ‘Landman’, which also benefited from the buzz surrounding ‘Yellowstone’s finale, tends to sustain interest for longer periods compared to a one-time full season drop like ‘Squid Game’ on Netflix.

The popular series “Squid Game” is holding its ground strongly, with Season 2 predicted to shatter records previously set by its first season, and Season 3 anticipated later this year, giving Netflix a decisive victory in the streaming battle. On the other hand, Taylor Sheridan’s influence on Paramount+ is something that has other streaming platforms looking over their shoulders, as they might hear the rumble of oil drills and hooves, signaling that the writer/director could be preparing to challenge them again with his next project. With multiple “Yellowstone” spin-offs in the works, and new seasons of “Tulsa King” and “Lioness” on the horizon, it’s safe to say that Taylor Sheridan may not just cause one upset this year, but several.

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2025-01-10 18:03