'Squid Game' Season 2 Sets a Notable viewership Milestone on Netflix's Platform
Known for its astronomical success, it's no surprise that Squid Game's return for season 2 had high expectations given that season 1 was the most-watched Netflix series of all time by a substantial margin. And now, it's broken new ground.
We're still waiting on viewership numbers, but what's truly remarkable is that Squid Game season 2 has become the first series to debut at #1 in every one of the 93 countries where Netflix is available. That's everywhere from the US to Cyprus, Honduras, Kenya, Oman, Thailand, and beyond. The entire globe.
Such a feat is almost unheard of. Even popular shows rarely achieve this kind of simultaneous global success, with some regions often preferring one series over another. But Squid Game has managed to sweep the board, earning the top spot in all 93 countries. This is particularly impressive given that the original season took some time to gain momentum.
As for viewership, it's a tough call. I hadn't anticipated that Squid Game season 2 would surpass the 2.2 billion hours viewed of season 1, but who knows with a debut like this? While subsequent seasons of shows often see a decrease in viewership due to the need for viewers to catch up, shows like Money Heist and Stranger Things have bucked that trend.
One potential challenge for Squid Game season 2 is its shorter length. With only 7 episodes, viewers will finish the season two hours sooner than they did with season 1. But with increased global attention, maybe it can attract more viewers overall.
However, Squid Game season 2 isn't garnering the same critical acclaim as its predecessor. It currently has a 63% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, down from season 1's 83%. I believe this can be attributed to the show ending abruptly and leaving several plotlines unresolved, seemingly setting up for season 3 next year. It feels like we're only getting half a season, which is a bit too much of a cliffhanger for some.
Despite the criticism, I expect Squid Game season 2 to outperform season 1 in its debut week. Whether it can sustain that high viewership for the long term remains to be seen, but it's certainly off to a strong start with this record-breaking debut.
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The anticipation for Squid Game season 2 is sky-high, given its previous record-breaking success as the most-watched Netflix series of all time. If recent trends hold, Squid Game season 2 might surpass its own viewership numbers from season 1.
Regardless of the critical reception, fans worldwide are eagerly awaiting the debut of Squid Game season 2, breaking new grounds by becoming the first series to debut at #1 in every country where Netflix is available.