Netflix Says Its Own Shows Were Most Popular

Netflix Inc. said its original shows and movies were watched more than any other content released on the streaming service in 2019, a sign of the company’s aggressive investment in its own content in anticipation of getting fewer programs from traditional Hollywood suppliers.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the company said its most popular release this year in the U.S. was “Murder Mystery,” a comedy starring Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston, topping the third season of “Stranger Things.” The only program on the streaming service’s top 10 for this year that wasn’t originated by Netflix was “The Incredibles 2” from Walt Disney Co. ’s Pixar unit.

The rankings don’t include the most popular content on Netflix —only the most popular that debuted in 2019. Netflix didn’t disclose how much original and acquired programming the company released in 2019 and didn’t provide actual viewing numbers for its rankings.

A spokesman for Netflix said the information is “a fun way to celebrate the most popular shows and films on Netflix” released this year. The spokesman said its rankings are based on “at least two minutes of viewing.”

Netflix’s lack of complete transparency on its viewing patterns has been criticized by rival media companies. Netflix has said that since it doesn’t sell advertising, providing exact viewing numbers isn’t necessary.

Netflix’s aggressive investment spree in original content—estimated at $15 billion this year alone—comes as Walt Disney is no longer selling to Netflix. The company is focusing its efforts on its Disney+ streaming service that launched last month. Next year, Comcast Corp. ’s NBCUniversal and AT&T Inc. ’s WarnerMedia will unveil their Peacock and HBO Max streaming platforms and are also expected to sell less to Netflix.