Netflix has released its latest “What We Watched” report on July 17, offering a comprehensive look at viewing trends across all titles available on Netflix during the first six months of 2026.
“What We Watched” report measures a title’s performance based on views, calculated by dividing total watch hours by a show’s runtime. Among the Top 10 most-watched series worldwide in the first half of 2026, five were first-season originals, highlighting audiences’ growing appetite for new content.
The American series His & Hers led the global rankings with 104 million views, despite being a brand-new release. Meanwhile, Korean drama Teach You a Lesson made an impressive debut, entering Netflix’s Global Top 10 less than a month after its release and accumulating 48.2 million views, making it the most-watched Korean title during the reporting period.
Several other Korean productions also attracted significant audiences worldwide.
- Squid Game recorded 14.4 million views during the first half of the year.
- Other Korean series reached 28.6 million and 25.8 million views, respectively.
- Returning hit series also maintained strong momentum, with one second season earning 24 million views, while another title drew 16 million views.
Netflix members collectively watched more than 97 billion hours of content during the first half of 2026 the highest six-month total in the platform’s history. Interestingly, no single title accounted for more than 1% of total viewing hours, underscoring Netflix’s increasingly diverse viewing ecosystem rather than reliance on a handful of blockbuster hits.
According to the report, non-English-language titles accounted for more than one-third of all viewing on Netflix during the first half of 2026. Among them, Korean content represented the largest share, demonstrating the continued global popularity of Korean entertainment. Viewers consumed a wide range of Korean programming across multiple genres, including:
- Drama series such as Teach You a Lesson
- Korean films, including The Great Flood, Husbands, and Pavane
- Variety shows like Culinary Class Wars: Black & White Chefs Season 2
- Additional Korean entertainment programs spanning various formats
Netflix also reported steady performance in children’s content. Popular franchises including Baby Shark, Bebefinn, and Pinkfong Dinosaur Kindergarten continued to attract consistent viewership, highlighting the diversity of Netflix’s family-friendly catalog.
Several Korean television dramas originally broadcast on domestic networks including SBS’s My Royal Nemesis, Agent Kim Reactivated, Sold Out on You, tvN’s Undercover Miss Hong, and JTBC’s We Are All Trying Here were also made available to international audiences through Netflix.
In the film category, Netflix distributed both original productions such as The Great Flood, Husbands, and Pavane, alongside theatrical releases including Humint and Even If This Love Disappears from the World Tonight.
Netflix stated that its collaboration with Korea’s entertainment industry has created a positive cycle, allowing broadcasters to connect with domestic audiences while helping Korean films and television series reach new international viewers through Netflix’s global distribution and promotional network.
Sources: Naver
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