Wheel of Time Dominates Nielsen Streaming Rankings in Debut; One-and-Done Cowboy Bebop Lands at No. 6
The Wheel of Time channeled itself a primo spot on Nielsen’s U.S. streaming chart ranking the Top 10 original series for the week of Nov. 15.
With just a few days of eligibility for this measuring period, Prime Video‘s already-renewed fantasy saga adaptation (which bowed on Nov. 19) debuted at No. 1 with 1.6 billion minutes viewed across its first three episodes — making it the second most-watched Prime Video original since Hunters (in February 2020).
Nielsen notes that Wheel of Time is attracting a “slightly older audience profile” than most streaming titles, with 65 percent coming from the 35-64 age range, and the highest concentration of 50-64 of any show on this latest list.
TVLine readers gave Wheel of Time‘s first three episodes an average grade of “B+”; catch up on all our Wheel of Time coverage.
Tiger King placed second this week with 685 minutes viewed across 13 total episodes, followed by The Great British Baking Show, YOU and the previous champ, Narcos: Mexico.
Rounding out the Top 10 originals for the week of Nov. 15 were Netflix‘s one-and-done Cowboy Bebop — making its own chart debut at No. 6, with 414 minutes viewed across 10 episodes — Big Mouth, Maid, Locke & Key and Hellbound.
Want scoop on any of the above shows? Email InsideLine@tvline.com and your question may be answered via Matt’s Inside Line.
Is it really good? I can’t stand the first 5 minutes..
I’m struggling to continue with Wheel of Time (I don’t care about many of the characters) and haven’t decided if I’m stopping at episode 7. On the other hand, I’ve watched thus far and I might as well continue but there are plenty of other shows that take precedence!
I think there are only 8 episodes in the first season. So, you might as well see how it turns out. The book series is good. The first book, which most of the season is based on, is the least interesting. The rest of the series is really good.
You know, I grew up with a fan of the books and all I ever heard then (from him and his buddies) was that like the first three or four were good and then it was all characters nobody cared about on boring side quests and all the fans were basically hate-reading waiting for their faves to show.
I never wasted my time reading books like that. I’m like six eps into the show and feeling like I shouldn’t have wasted my time with it, either… It’s just kinda meh? Every so often something cool will happen but there’s hardly any characters that have grabbed my attention.
Having read the books several times, you aren’t wrong there. Books 1-6 are actually pretty good, it’s books 7-10 where things really drop off. Then books 11-14 are just amazing. I don’t blame anyone for not wanting to read the series, it’s really long and takes a lot of commitment to make it through some hard parts the first time through. The character arcs are some of the best I’ve ever read, though. Hopefully the show can pick things up, skip through a lot of books 7-10 (maybe make that all one season?) and make it to the end.
With how it’s coming out and looking so far, I’m not sure we’ll make it that far. I’d only ask that you give it until season 2 of the show to give up on it. The first book was taken mostly from Lord of the Rings, so it’s very slow. The world building is all being set up which will take time. We SHOULD see a lot of progress in season 2 which will make it more enjoyable for those who have not read the books.
It seems to be either a love or hate it type show…I’m definitely in the love it category. Episode 4 is the strongest one so maybe give it until that one? It’s not perfect by any means, but I think it just gets stronger as it goes.
I’m mixed. I’m sticking with it but neither love it nor hate it. It does seem to be building.
I love it.
Well, gee. I’m of the ago 60+ ‘older viewer’ demographic. Nice to know I’ve company.
I’m in the ‘love it’ camp, but it also took me until episode 4 to get into it. I’ve not read the books – it first caught my eye solely because I recognized Madeline Madden. Don’t know that I’m attached to the story per se; rather more the whole world that’s been created. The acting is good, the writing is good, and visually, the production – sets, costumes, camera work – is just stunning. That’s enough for me.
See, to me it looks really cheap except for the fact that they go to a new location almost every episode. I have to think about the fact that that’s expensive to feel like the show has any kind of production values. The creature effects are okay, too. Otherwise it feels like a gory, depressing Legend of the Seeker on wheels… (At least Legend of the Seeker was a bit of fun!)
I see you have not watched “La Brea” 🤣 With its sloppy production & bad CGI!
I am on the love it side, liked the series from the get go. Never read the books though…looking forward to more seasons. I might read the books just to find out what happens. TV takes a loooong time to make.
I’ve enjoyed it a lot. Try to watch through the first episode – it picks up a lot and if you don’t at least like Moiraine and Lan you can give it up then.
The first 5 minutes is a good representation of that tragedy of an adaptation, so if you already got that vibe, chances are you’ll only come to dislike it even more.
Cowboy Bebop needs to be rescued. Heck it’s better than almost anything on Peacock. Could give Roku a boost. Paramount+ you listening??
Unfortunately, Netflix will never allow a rival streaming service to pick up one of their outcasts. Look at “One Day at a Time.” It went to cable/broadcast (POPtv and CBS) and not streaming. To save “Bebop,” it would need a broadcast and/or cable network to save it. Anything is possible … but Netflix has the rights for now,
+75 TVLine Power User points (no cash value)
Who would even want to save a show whose fans are so hateful?
I’ve read all Wheel of Time books.As much as the people who are trying to project into the story of this series it is moving faster than the books. Newbies seem to to have a hard time using their imagination to read between the lines.
I’m enjoying it as much as GOT. There’s 13 books here and if you have a short attention span it maybe over your head. Not just like the books but I’m still satisfied with the story.
You would think they would have waited to see if Cowboy Beebop had legs before canceling it, even if reviews were mixed. It may have found its grove in season 2. Clearly there’s interest.
Great show
Such an awful offering on a fantasy classic.
The show offers about 30% of the story of which 5% is made up satisfie some strang fetish the screen writer has.
Cowboy bebop is so much better.
To bad Netflix wasn’t making wheel of time.
Love Wheel of Time. I’m still mad about the cancellation of Cowboy Bebop.
I loved the books but I haven’t really enjoyed the series I am watching it I think with the idea or hope it will improve. I find it hard to like or relate to any of the characters and they are certainly not how I pictured them. There seems to be alot of filler.
I have read the books and am a fan of Robert Jordan’s writing style. The series, in my opinion, is terrible. From the lack of detail in initial characterization, to the low production value sets and costumes to the inelegant way magic was explained in the world, the show basically takes everything Jordan did right and tosses it for some topical woman power nonsense and close ups of character faces to fill the gaps. I’m constantly having to help explain the plot to my fiancee. It’s terrible and hard to watch.