by Thinus Ferreira
In a first-ever for the streaming service Amazon Prime Video announced viewership figures, saying that its new fantasy drama series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of
Power which made its debut on Friday, attracted 25 million global viewers on its first day.
It is the first time Amazon Prime Video has ever revealed viewership data for its content, with the first season, set during the Second Age, costing $465 million - a price production price tag that makes it the world's most expensive TV show ever.
The 25 million viewers for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power across 240 countries and territories worldwide, breaks all previous viewership records for Amazon Prime Video and marks its biggest premiere in the history of this streaming service.
"It is somehow fitting that Tolkien’s stories - among the most popular of all time, and what many consider to be the true origin of the fantasy genre - have led us to this proud moment," says Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon Studios, in a statement.
"I am so grateful
to the Tolkien Estate – and to our showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay,
executive producer Lindsey Weber, cast and crew - for their tireless
collaborative efforts and boundless creative energy. And it is the tens
of millions of fans watching – clearly as passionate about Middle-earth as we
are – who are our true measure of success."
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power made its debut with two episodes on Friday with the first season which will have its season finale on 14 October.
After the first season was filmed in New Zealand, the second season of an envisioned five season series is currently in production in the United Kingdom.
