Full Breakdown
Netflix's *The Boroughs* Tops Nielsen U.S. Streaming Ratings for Week of May 25-31, 2026
6/26/2026, 4:16:35 AM
Streaming Surge: *The Boroughs* Leads Nielsen Ratings
Netflix’s drama *The Boroughs* claimed the No. 1 spot on Nielsen’s U.S. streaming chart for the week of May 25-31, 2026, with 1.74 billion minutes of viewing. The series rose roughly 45 percent from the previous week, marking the largest weekly increase among all original titles. The strongest audience segment was viewers aged 50 and older, a demographic aligned with the show’s setting in a retirement community. Despite this performance, Netflix announced the series’ cancellation in mid-June.
Background and Nielsen Methodology
Nielsen’s streaming ratings track minutes watched on television sets within the United States and exclude viewing on computers, tablets, and mobile phones. The metrics are compiled weekly and rank both series and movies based on total minutes streamed. *The Boroughs* debuted at No. 2 overall the week before and ascended to the top position in its second week, illustrating rapid audience growth under the Nielsen measurement framework.
Viewing Numbers and Comparative Rankings
- *The Boroughs*: 1.74 billion minutes (No. 1 overall).
- *Spider-Noir* (Prime Video, starring Nicolas Cage): 851 million minutes (No. 2 among original series).
- *Euphoria*: 730 million minutes, reaching a series-finale high.
- *Dutton Ranch* (Paramount+): 782 million minutes, up about 6 percent for a second consecutive week.
- *The Four Seasons* (Netflix): 759 million minutes for its season-two premiere, down from 1.3 billion minutes during its debut season.
- *Nemesis* (Netflix): 635 million minutes, falling to seventh place after leading the chart the prior week.
- *The Testaments* (Hulu, sequel to *The Handmaid’s Tale*): 377 million minutes, entering the chart for the first time during its finale week.
- *The Crash* (Netflix documentary): 564 million minutes, retaining the top spot among movies.
Official Statements on Measurement
Nielsen clarifies that its streaming ratings “cover viewing on TV sets only and don’t include minutes watched on computers or mobile devices,” and that the figures “only measure U.S. audiences.” These parameters define the scope of the reported minutes and the comparative rankings presented above.
Implications for Content Strategy and Demographics
The strong performance of *The Boroughs*—particularly among viewers over 50—highlights the commercial viability of programming aimed at older audiences, a segment often underrepresented in streaming analytics. The series’ cancellation despite record-setting minutes raises questions about how streaming platforms weigh Nielsen data against other metrics such as subscriber acquisition, retention, and cross-device engagement, which are not captured in the Nielsen report.
Future Outlook
Netflix’s mid-June cancellation of *The Boroughs* will conclude the series shortly after its peak Nielsen week. Meanwhile, other titles continue to shape the streaming landscape: *Euphoria* concluded its final season on May 31, and *Spider-Noir* began its run on Prime Video. Nielsen will release its next weekly ratings for early June, providing further insight into how the removal of *The Boroughs* influences overall viewership trends.
