Netflix Viewership Surges 35% During GTA VI Preview, Sensor Tower Reports

Market intelligence firm Sensor Tower reported that Netflix saw a significant spike in viewership during the extended preview of the upcoming Grand Theft Auto VI. According to the data, Netflix's viewer numbers increased by 35% hour-over-hour during the hour the presentation began, compared to the previous hour. The platform also experienced a 50% increase in viewership from the same time on the previous day.

In addition to overall viewership, Sensor Tower noted that mobile app users rose nearly 50% compared to the average user count at the same time on the previous twelve Thursdays. Web visitors increased by 125% compared to the same average. Some viewers experienced platform crashes just as the presentation went live.

Abe Yousef, Senior Insights Analyst at Sensor Tower, commented that leveraging high-profile intellectual properties has helped Netflix expand its appeal as an entertainment platform. He added that aligning with the launch of a highly anticipated console title allowed Netflix to convert consumer interest into re-engagement from lapsed viewers and new sign-ups from non-subscribers.

Sensor Tower also provided an estimate of Grand Theft Auto VI preorders, which currently sit at approximately 4.6 million units. Of those preorders, 77% are reported to be on PlayStation, the platform on which the extended look was recorded.