In last week’s Samba TV Weekly Wrap streaming Top 10, we pointed to a “Big Three” that has dominated the streaming landscape across the late winter and early spring. The trio of “The White Lotus,” “1923,” and “Reacher” has occupied the Top 3 spots on the chart more often than not over the past month — this week, they did it again with “Reacher” reclaiming the No. 3 spot.
Each series lives on a different platform, and they vary in terms of tone and content. Yet they are united by one element — each of their respective platforms adds one new episode per week, as opposed to the binge model. This helps each show (and streamer) maintain buzz and hold onto their spots atop the chart.
Astute readers will note that last week a newcomer crashed the Top 3, as “Adolescence” rose to third following its first full week of viewership. Per Netflix’s usual model, all four episodes of the limited series were added at once, on March 13. While that series remains part of the cultural conversation, it drops three spots this week, to No. 6.
Netflix still makes an impressive showing with four spots in the Top 10 and “Adolescence” is part of a run of Netflix titles that starts with “The Residence” at No. 4. The murder-mystery series rises three spots in its second week on the chart.
Meanwhile, “The Life List” debuts at No. 5 this week. The rom-com follows a young woman whose mother leaves behind a “life list” of accomplishments she dreamed up when she was 13. As she works through items such as performing standup comedy and playing one-on-one with Patrick Ewing, she uncovers family secrets and falls in love. “Den of Thieves 2: Pantera” closes out the Netflix quartet, coming in at No. 7 this week.
No. 8 is the buzzy Max ER drama “The Pitt” and closing out the Top 10 are two Disney+ movies: prequel, “Mufasa: The Lion King,” and sequel, “Moana 2.” The latter of which is enjoying a remarkable run in the Top 10 for Disney+ with this being its third consecutive week on the charts.
There’s another big three battling things out on linear as well, with an unexpected leader emerging. Reality and competition shows tend to dominate the linear chart, so it’s a surprise to see the scripted CBS action drama “Tracker” regularly appear near the top of the chart in its second season.
This week, “Tracker” holds off its well-established and formidable competition, “The Voice” and “American Idol” at No. 1 Another CBS scripted series, “Watson” climbs two spots to No. 4 this week. That is followed by a duo of shows from NBC’s “Chicago” universe: “Chicago Med” and “Chicago Fire.”
“Wheel of Fortune” claims spots No. 7 to No. 9, while the finale of season 29 of “The Bachelor” comes in at No. 10.
