By

    The Tech Trident Staff

    ·

    Tags:

    , , , ,

    Apple TV+ Breaks Into Top 5 Most-Watched Streaming Shows in the U.S. with Severance Season 2

    For the first time since launching its streaming platform, Apple has landed one of the five most-watched original series in the U.S., marking a significant milestone in its push to compete with established streaming giants.

    According to viewership data for the first half of 2025, the second season of Severance climbed into the top five most-viewed original streaming titles in the country. While Netflix continues to dominate the charts with multiple entries, and Amazon’s Reacher secured the No. 2 spot, Apple TV+ has now joined the ranks with its own critically acclaimed production.

    The rankings are based on total minutes watched by U.S. audiences, including viewership across smart TVs and select connected devices. Here’s how the top 10 shaped up:

    1. Squid Game (Netflix) – 15.1 billion minutes
    2. Reacher (Prime Video) – 13.3 billion minutes
    3. The Night Agent (Netflix) – 12.2 billion minutes
    4. Ginny & Georgia (Netflix) – 10.2 billion minutes
    5. Severance (Apple TV+) – 9.3 billion minutes
    6. 1923 (Paramount+) – 8.5 billion minutes
    7. The Pitt (Max) – 8.2 billion minutes
    8. The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu) – 8.2 billion minutes
    9. You (Netflix) – 8.1 billion minutes
    10. Landman (Paramount+) – 7.8 billion minutes

    The surge in Apple’s viewership reflects a broader shift in the streaming landscape. Netflix, while still the most consistent creator of top-performing series, has seen its dominance gradually erode—from commanding over 80% of top rankings in 2021 to just under 50% in early 2025. Competitors like Amazon, Max, Hulu, Paramount+, and now Apple are increasingly claiming space in the spotlight.

    Interestingly, Disney+ has yet to place an original show in this year’s top 10, highlighting how even major legacy players are facing challenges in the race for streaming attention.

    Although Apple remains tight-lipped about subscriber numbers, recent estimates suggest Apple TV+ has surpassed 60 million paid users globally. Growth has been particularly strong in North America and Western Europe over the past year.

    Severance, which has become a flagship title for the platform, has already been renewed for a third season. The show’s strong performance signals a turning point for Apple’s original content ambitions—and adds pressure on rivals as the streaming wars intensify.