Suits, the popular drama series that ended its television run four years ago, is now making a huge splash on Netflix. The show, which aired on the USA Network from 2011 to 2019, has broken records on the streaming platform, surpassing 3.14 billion minutes of watch time, toppling the previous record held by “Manifest” with 2.49 billion viewing minutes, as reported by the Hollywood Reporter.
The show’s resurgence on Netflix has been remarkable, with the first season ranking as the eighth-most-watched series on the platform during the week of July 17 to July 23, attracting over 20 million hours of viewing. Demand for Suits has seen a substantial 27 percent increase in the first month since its arrival on Netflix, according to industry strategist Brandon Katz from Parrot Analytics.
The reasons behind the show’s renewed popularity are diverse, including the appeal of its stars, the engaging episodes, and the organic growth it has experienced through social media. Notably, Meghan Markle, who is now Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, had a role in the series as Rachel Zane, adding to the show’s allure.
Suits joins the ranks of other well-known series like “Breaking Bad,” “Gilmore Girls,” and “The Office,” which have found a second life through streaming platforms, attracting new audiences who might have missed their original television run.
Katz also points out that viewers drawn to Suits are likely interested in other similar themes and formats, such as procedural shows like “Blue Bloods” and “The Blacklist,” showing that genres popular on broadcast TV still have a significant audience on streaming platforms.
Moreover, Netflix utilizes individual account information to tailor thumbnail images for shows, and Katz suggests that viewers who have previously watched Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s docuseries may have been drawn to Suits due to her presence in the thumbnails.
The show’s success on Netflix has extended to social media, with the hashtag #SuitsOnNetflix trending on various platforms, including TikTok, where fans are sharing their favorite moments and reenacting scenes.
Despite receiving some critical reviews in its early days, Suits has garnered positive audience reviews, holding an 87 percent average audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Fans express their enjoyment and describe it as a guilty pleasure that keeps them hooked on every episode.
Overall, the sudden resurgence of Suits on Netflix has caught many fans by surprise, but they continue to enjoy the show for its engaging drama and legal storyline.
Source: The Washington Post
