Social Media Data Reveals Streaming Success, Gaming Triumphs, and Rising Sports Stars

In the dynamic realm of public relations, timely insights are invaluable. Tubular Labs, a leader in global social video intelligence, has released December U.S. viewership trends that offer PR professionals a window into emerging opportunities and trends.

Streaming Success Amidst Challenges

2023 was a year of hurdles for the streaming industry, but some platforms ended it on a high note. Tubular Labs' data revealed that Netflix experienced a significant surge, with 44.7 million U.S. viewers on Facebook and YouTube in December 2023 – a 40% increase from November. This marked Netflix's highest domestic viewership in over a year. The growth was attributed to strategic content sharing on social media, promoting new arrivals like "Beverly Hills Cop: Axel Foley" and a "Love Actually" gift wrapping clip.

Peacock's Rise

Peacock, too, witnessed a 12% month-over-month growth in unique U.S. viewers on Facebook and YouTube in December. This success was fueled by engaging content such as "Paris in Love" trailers and captivating #shorts.

Gaming Brands Shine

December saw gaming brands making a splash on social video. Rockstar Games garnered 168 million YouTube views for its "Grand Theft Auto VI" trailer, resulting in a 31x month-over-month increase in U.S. minutes watched and unique viewers. Ubisoft's U.S. minutes watched grew by 147% month-over-month, driven by a focus on "Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora" gameplay and TV ads. Nintendo's emphasis on "Pokemon Scarlet and Violet" led to a 26% increase in unique U.S. viewers month-over-month, while Epic Games saw a 24% rise in unique U.S. viewers, leveraging "Fortnite's Battle Royale Chapter 5."

Nightcap Outperforms

In sports content, "Nightcap," hosted by Shannon Sharpe, Chad Ochocinco, and Gilbert Arenas, stood out. Despite being on YouTube for a few months, "Nightcap" witnessed impressive growth. In December 2023, the show garnered 284 million U.S. minutes watched on Facebook and YouTube, a remarkable 125% month-over-month increase, surpassing even ESPN.

Kids' Entertainment Competition

The kids' entertainment category remains fiercely competitive. "Ms. Rachel" continued to lead with 1.9 billion U.S. minutes watched across YouTube and Facebook, although this was down 9% month-over-month. Disney Junior witnessed a 41% month-over-month growth, reaching 1.1 billion minutes watched, securing the second position among kids' entertainment creators. "Toys and Colors" and "Cocomelon - Nursery Rhymes" also experienced substantial month-over-month watch-time growth in December.

These viewership trends hold significance for PR professionals. Understanding what captivates audiences on various platforms can inform PR strategies, content creation, and partnerships. Success stories from streaming platforms, gaming brands, and emerging content creators offer insights that can shape PR campaigns, outreach efforts, and collaborations.

Remaining attuned to trends in kids' entertainment and sports content allows PR professionals to tailor their messaging and outreach effectively. In a rapidly changing media landscape, data-driven insights empower PR professionals to make informed decisions, maximize reach, and deliver impactful communication strategies.

Incorporating real-time data into PR campaigns and strategies can lead to more effective communication, benefiting brands, content creators, and their audiences. As the digital landscape evolves, staying informed about viewership trends is not just an option; it's a necessity for PR professionals seeking to make a lasting impact.