Nielsen data shows The Boroughs topped the streaming charts in its first full week of availability on May 25, landing at No. 1 with 1.74 billion minutes. Three weeks later, Netflix canceled the sci-fi series, a move that sparked backlash from fans and cast mem
On the week of May 25, The Boroughs didn’t just enter the streaming conversation—it claimed the top spot.
In its first full week of availability, the sci-fi series reached No. 1 on Nielsen’s streaming charts with 1.74 billion minutes. That was a 45% jump from the previous week, when it landed at No. 2 behind Netflix’s Nemesis.
The show’s audience also shifted after debuting. In its first week, 11% of viewers were adults 18–34. By that May 25 week. that figure rose to 15%. showing it had found more traction with younger audiences than it initially did. Still, the viewership remained heavily concentrated in the 50+ range, with 31% among the 50–64 cohort, according to Nielsen data.
The success came with timing that fans would later point to as Netflix moved in the opposite direction. The series’ debut drew strong ratings—typical for many Netflix releases—but the streamer chose not to pursue a Season 2, citing low audience retention and high production costs.
That decision landed hard, especially for a show helmed by Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews and produced by the Duffer Brothers. The cancellation also triggered public backlash from fans and from series stars Geena Davis and Denis O’Hare.
The Boroughs was built around a friend group at a retirement community working together to uncover a dark conspiracy in their midst. Its ensemble cast included Alfred Molina, Geena Davis, Denis O’Hare, Alfre Woodard, Clarke Peters, Jena Malone and others.
The same Nielsen period also made room for other titles. Prime Video and MGM+’s Spider-Noir premiered on May 25 and reached No. 4 on the overall charts with 851 million minutes, landing behind perennial hits Bluey and Grey’s Anatomy. Paramount’s Dutton Ranch placed at No. 6 overall and No. 3 in the streaming originals chart with a series high of 782 million minutes. Apple TV’s Your Friends and Neighbors hit its highest ranking to date at No. 8 on the originals chart with Season 2’s penultimate episode, reaching 387 million minutes.
Hulu’s The Testaments, the sequel series of The Handmaid’s Tale, debuted on the chart with the drop of its Season 1 finale, gathering 377 million minutes. The series had already been renewed for Season 2 by that time.
Across the chart, one headline stood out for The Boroughs: it was at No. 1 with 1.74 billion minutes in its first full week of availability—yet it still ended up canceled just three weeks later.
The Boroughs Nielsen streaming charts Netflix cancellation Geena Davis Denis O’Hare Jeffrey Addiss Will Matthews Duffer Brothers Spider-Noir Dutton Ranch Your Friends and Neighbors The Testaments