Only 4 Netflix Shows Have 1 Billion Hours Streamed, Bridgerton Isn't One of Them

Just a short decade ago, few took Netflix seriously; traditional media routinely dismissed the concept of streaming TV. Today, however, it's evident that streaming has soundly defeated network television, and Netflix's staggering records serve as the most definitive proof of this shift in how people consume entertainment.

While many primetime network TV shows continue to attract millions of viewers daily, they can't hold a candle to the viewership numbers of Netflix's top shows. Official metrics from the streaming giant indicate that on-demand content delivery is poised to be the most relevant form of media consumption for years to come.

Four Heavyweights

Reaching 100 million hours watched is already a significant achievement for any new show released on Netflix. However, that's far from the pinnacle of success for the streaming service, as several shows have zoomed past the one-billion-hour threshold in recent years.

To date, only four shows have achieved this remarkable level of success. Even the globally popular romantic series Bridgerton failed to cross the one-billion-hour mark.

Ryan Murphy once again proved his worth last year when his show, Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, reached 1 billion hours and amassed 115 million total views despite its controversial subject matter.

Also, last year, the Duffer brothers' iconic series Stranger Things finally surpassed the one-billion-hour milestone with its fourth season, being viewed 1.8 billion hours and getting 140 million total views.

Although Wednesday clocked in at 1.7 billion hours watched, it still managed to outperform Stranger Things with more than 252 million total views, making it a more successful project overall.

Unsurprisingly, the iconic Squid Game tops this list as the only Netflix show to exceed the two-billion-hour mark, boasting 2.2 billion hours watched and 265 million total views. Talk about setting and breaking records!