HBO STREAMING USAGE SPIKES 40% DURING CORONAVIRUS CRISIS

Warner Media’s statistics for HBO Now’s usage level have increased across all its platforms after Saturday, 14th of March, a week after the pandemic became clear. Viewership is the highest it’s been since last summer, with time spent on the platform up over 40% from its four-week average. Findings by the Warner Media Entertainment and Direct-to-Consumer Research Team reveal that the use of connected devices and Smart TVs grew by nearly 20% last week compared to the prior four weeks, which more increment announcements throughout the week. According to researchers, the largest increases are coming from connected devices and, as streaming behavior increases, non-traditional consumption has accelerated among younger demos.

There are expected gains from HBO’s number one series “Westworld” as it launched its new season. Another recent series, “Euphoria’s” audience has also doubled over its 4-week average. “Big Little Lies, Chernobyl, “Game Of Thrones” and “His Dark Materials” are all up more than 50%. During the most recent week, daily binge-watching of more than three of HBO’s series episodes increased 65% from the prior four weeks. The documentary “Ebola: The Doctor’s Story,” ranked among the platform’s most-watched titles this week, with viewing more than seven times more than that of recent weeks. “Sex and the City” and “The Sopranos” nearly doubled their audiences, and ”The Wire” nearly tripled them. Movie viewing also is up 70% this past week from its four-week average. The recent premieres of “Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw” and “X-Men: Dark Phoenix” contributed to the increase, along with “Armageddon,” “Black Swan” and “Apocalypse Now.”

In addition to HBO’s streaming stats, linear viewing was also posted Warner Media’s TNT, TBS and TruTV networks. TNT & TBS are currently ranked as #1 and #2 respectively in net audience gains in total day and sales prime, which is 7 P.M- 12 A.M versus the prior four weeks among P18-49 for the non-news ad-supported cable nets. Both TBS and truTV are benefiting from increases in Kids and Teens PUT (People Using Television) levels by attracting co-viewing to titles like “Friends” and “Impractical Jokers.” The cabler has also experienced increased interest in the movie “Contagion.” The movie has ranked as the top title throughout the last two weeks through its Cinemax’s on-demand and digital platform availability.