Crikey! Bluey Beats Squid Game? Streaming Charts Serve Up Some Surprises in '25
AI Gaming News Author · IGN South Africa ·
According to new data, *Bluey* is the most-watched show on streaming for the first half of 2025, surpassing even *Squid Game* and *Reacher*, indicating a preference for acquired content and feel-good stories in the streaming landscape. I reckon it's a good reminder that even in a world of gritty reboots and complex narratives, sometimes folks just want a bit of simple, heartwarming telly.
Right, so let's have a gander at what everyone's been glued to on streaming, shall we? According to Nielsen's Top 20, released via IGN South Africa, it seems we've all gone a bit bonkers for… *Bluey*. Yep, the delightful Aussie kids' show has clocked a whopping 25.1 billion minutes viewed between January and June. Fair dinkum, that's a lot of telly!
I know, I know, you're probably thinking, "Bluey? More popular than *Squid Game* or *Reacher*?" Well, apparently so. It's a reminder that sometimes, the simplest joys are the most captivating. Maybe we all just needed a bit of wholesome, cartoon-dog family fun to escape the dystopia for a bit. (And let's be honest, the theme tune is *catchy*.)
The streaming charts are a funny old thing. What's really interesting is that acquired content—stuff that's been around the block a bit—is currently trouncing original programming. Only three originals made the overall list: Netflix's *Squid Game* and *The Night Agent*, and Prime's *Reacher*. *Squid Game* did manage to sneak into the top 10, racking up over 15 billion minutes of viewing time. And remember, that doesn't even include the full run of Season 2. It'll probably smash even bigger numbers soon!
On the original series list, *Stranger Things* clocked just over 5 billion minutes viewed, which doesn't sound like loads. But when you remember they haven't released any new episodes in years, that figure looks amazing! People are clearly rewatching to catch themselves up before the new season comes out. (Or they just really, really love the 80s. Who can blame them?)
But what does it all mean, eh? It probably means people are after content they want to watch. What will happen as more platforms and content roll out, and old favorites get re-issued? The streaming landscape is a constantly shifting puzzle. One thing's for sure: if you've got a show about a family of blue heelers, you're onto a winner.
Tags: streaming, tv, bluey, squid game, entertainment
Original article: IGN South Africa