The streaming landscape continues to shift, and this week saw a notable power move as “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” ascended to the top of the charts. According to the latest data from Samba TV’s weekly Wrap Report, the HBO Max fantasy drama has finally claimed the streaming crown, a position many anticipated given its pedigree as a successor to the cultural phenomenon that was “Game of Thrones.”
The series, the second spinoff from the immensely popular “Game of Thrones” franchise, debuted in third place and held that position for a second week, signaling a strong start but leaving room for growth. That growth has now materialized, with “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” overtaking its competitors to become the most-watched title on streaming this week.
However, the path to the top wasn’t without competition. The streaming charts remain crowded with established favorites. “The Lincoln Lawyer,” returning for its fourth season on Netflix, proved a significant draw, attracting 4.6 million households in its first four days. Notably, nearly 20% of viewers binged the entire season within 48 hours, demonstrating a high level of engagement.
HBO Max continues to showcase its strength in original programming, with “The Pitt,” an ER drama, climbing to third place. This marks the first time the series has cracked the top three, a testament to its growing audience and critical acclaim. The show is gaining momentum as its second season progresses, proving that award-season buzz can translate into sustained viewership.
Meanwhile, last week’s frontrunner, “Bridgerton,” experienced a dip, falling three spots to fourth place. Prime Video’s gaming adaptation, “Fallout,” maintains a steady presence in the middle of the chart, continuing its run throughout its second season.
The streaming charts also saw a debut this week with Netflix’s true-crime documentary, “The Investigation of Lucy Letby,” entering at number six. The series has garnered attention, but also controversy, due to its use of AI deepfakes in its storytelling.
Movement further down the chart revealed diverging trajectories for two series. “The Wrecking Crew” on Prime Video experienced a significant drop, falling from second to seventh place, while “The Traitors” on Peacock saw a rise, climbing two spots to eighth. Netflix’s miniseries, “His & Hers,” continues to perform well, holding its position in the Top 10 for five consecutive weeks.
Rounding out the top ten is “Shrinking,” the Apple TV+ comedy, which returns for its third season.
On the linear television front, the dominated viewership, as expected. Samba TV’s weekly Wrap Report does not track live sports or news programming, so “American Idol” retained the top spot for the second consecutive week. “Chicago Med” and “Chicago Fire” followed closely behind, demonstrating the continued strength of procedural dramas. Two ABC procedurals, “Will Trent” and “High Potential,” also secured positions within the top ten, while “Wheel of Fortune” and “Jeopardy!” maintained their consistent presence.
The success of “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” underscores the power of established franchises in the current streaming environment. The series is benefiting from the built-in audience and brand recognition associated with “Game of Thrones,” and is following a similar trajectory to its predecessor, “House of the Dragon.” This highlights the importance of brand trust and compelling world-building in attracting and retaining viewers.
The Wrap Report’s data is sourced from viewership trends collected from Samba TV’s panel of over 3 million households, balanced to reflect the U.S. Census, providing a comprehensive overview of both streaming and linear television consumption.
