IT Welcome to Derry Viewership Soars, Becomes HBO’s Third Biggest Debut

The new series IT: Welcome to Derry has scared up a massive audience. The horror prequel attracted 5.7 million cross-platform viewers over its first three days. This debut happened on the HBO and HBO Max platforms.According to Nielsen, the show’s strong opening makes it the third largest series premiere in HBO’s history. It now sits behind only the titan debuts of House of the Dragon and The Last of Us.

Historic Numbers for a New Horror Chapter

The 5.7 million viewer count is a significant achievement. It solidifies the power of Stephen King’s universe on television. The show’s performance demonstrates a strong appetite for new stories from the town of Derry.This success follows the blockbuster performance of the two IT films. Those movies collectively earned over $1.1 billion globally. The series premiere nearly matched the opening night audience for The Last of Us, which later became a massive hit.

Streaming Dominates the Scares

The vast majority of viewers chose to stream the premiere. Only 334,000 people watched the initial linear broadcast on the HBO cable channel. This means about 94 percent of the total audience came from HBO Max and on-air replays.This viewing pattern is now standard for major HBO releases. It highlights the continued consumer shift toward on-demand streaming. The show’s availability on the platform allows fans to dive into the terror at their convenience.

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The impressive debut of IT: Welcome to Derry proves the enduring appeal of Pennywise. This strong IT Welcome to Derry viewership sets a high bar for future horror series on streaming services.

Dropping this nugget your way

What is IT: Welcome to Derry about?

It is a prequel series to the IT movies. The story is set in Derry, Maine during the 1960s. It explores an earlier cycle of Pennywise’s murderous awakening.

How does its debut compare to other HBO shows?

Its 5.7 million viewer debut is the third biggest for HBO. It ranks behind only House of the Dragon and The Last of Us. This places it ahead of many other major series.

Did most people watch on TV or through streaming?

An overwhelming majority streamed the episode. Only 334,000 viewers watched the initial live TV broadcast. Over 5.3 million streams were recorded on HBO Max.

Who created the Welcome to Derry series?

IT filmmakers Andy and Barbara Muschietti developed the show. They told The Hollywood Reporter they aimed to subvert audience expectations. Their goal was to raise the intensity from the original films.

Why is the show’s premiere considered a success?

The high viewership confirms strong fan interest in the franchise. It demonstrates the lasting power of Stephen King’s source material. Such numbers often predict long-term success for a series.