Amazon Studios chief Jennifer Salke has confirmed The Rings of Power season 2 comes two years after the fantasy series first premiered, exploring the backstory of Sauron (Charlie Vickers) as he builds power through the creation of the titular Rings. While season 1 drew in plenty of viewers, only 37% of domestic and 45% of overseas viewers who started season 1 finished watching it.
But, according to Variety, Salke released a memo to staff revealing The Rings of Power season 2 made the show one of the top five best-performing original series on the streaming service. This puts it within the same ranking as Fallout, Reacher, and The Boys, all of which were solidified on the top five list thanks to new releases this year. Amazon also shared that season 2 has been seen by 40 million viewers in its first 11 days, although it’s unclear what this means in of viewership longevity for the new episodes.
What The Rings Of Power Season 2's Numbers Means For The Fantasy Show
Amazon Has A 5-Season Plan
While the show is currently doing well for Prime Video in a relative sense, their claim of 40 million viewers in 11 days appears to be far behind season 1, which Amazon said in 2022 reached 25 million viewers on its first day. However, these claims of tens of millions of viewers are not fully replicated by data from Luminate, which claims the show's three-episode launch on Labor Day weekend earned it 553.5 million minutes, averaging to 2.7 million views. However, the show's numbers still put it near the top of Prime Video's list of successful originals.
The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power Season 2 Cast & Character Guide
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 has added to its already significant cast to create a rich array of Second Age characters.
While the show's success makes it seem like a continuation is guaranteed, it's also the most expensive TV series ever produced, with episode budgets reportedly soaring above $50 million each. This makes Rings of Power season 2 reviews more concerning for the show's longevity, with many critical of its plodding pace and lack of interesting storylines. However, with Amazon already dedicated to a five-season plan with the series, so long as it maintains a high ranking as one of its top shows, it seems inevitable to keep going strong.
Our Take On The Rings Of Power's Success On Prime Video
Season 3 Appears To Be A Guarantee
With the show performing extremely well for Prime Video, The Rings of Power season 3 appears to be guaranteed for the platform's future. Given the series is only halfway done with season 2, the exact strength of viewership for the show won't be obvious for a few more weeks. However, since the series is now one of the streamer's top five most-watched original series, it seems to have a strong future ahead that will allow its full story to unfold.
New episodes of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 arrive Thursdays on Prime Video.
Source: Variety
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
- Release Date
- September 1, 2022
- Network
- Amazon Prime Video
- Showrunner
- John D. Payne, Patrick McKay, Louise Hooper, Charlotte Brändström, Wayne Yip
Cast
Galadriel
Halbrand
WHERE TO WATCH
Set in the Second Age of Middle-earth, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power explores the forging of the iconic rings, the rise of the Dark Lord Sauron, and the epic events leading up to the stories in J.R.R. Tolkien's classic novels. The series chronicles the creation of legendary characters and the historic alliances and rivalries that shape the fate of Middle-earth.
- Directors
- J.A. Bayona, Sanaa Hamri
- Writers
- Patrick McKay, John D. Payne, J.R.R. Tolkien, Justin Doble, Jason Cahill, Gennifer Hutchison, Stephany Folsom, Nicholas Adams
- Franchise(s)
- The Lord of the Rings
- Seasons
- 2
- Streaming Service(s)
- Amazon Prime Video
Your comment has not been saved