Third-party analytics have revealed The Mandalorian season 3’s viewing figures, but they likely fall somewhat short of Disney’s hopes for Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni’s Star Wars Disney+ TV show. The first season of The Mandalorian released alongside the launch of Disney+, becoming a cultural phenomenon. Engagement with season 2 was just as high, and skyrocketed after a Luke Skywalker cameo in the season finale set the internet ablaze. No Doubt Disney hoped The Mandalorian season 3 would reach similar heights, but sadly that doesn’t seem to be the case.
Streaming services don’t tend to release viewing figures, meaning third-party analytics are the closest to accurate figures it’s possible to get. The Wrap has published data from Samba TV, estimating that The Mandalorian season 3’s premiere was watched by just under 1.5 million households. As noted by The Direct, this is comparable to other Star Wars Disney+ TV shows. The Book of Boba Fett‘s premiere was 2 percent higher, with just over 1.5 million views; Obi-Wan Kenobi, however, dramatically outperformed The Mandalorian season 3 by a massive 28 percent. The most uncomfortable comparison is with The Mandalorian season 2’s premiere, which was around 25 percent higher.
Why Mandalorian Season 3 Viewing Figures Are Lower Than Other Star Wars Shows
With these viewing figures in mind, it is worth exploring why The Mandalorian season 3’s viewership is comparatively lower than its peers. It’s important to begin by stressing the context; The Mandalorian season 1’s premiere was essentially the flagship show that launched the entirety of Disney+, explaining its cultural impact and high viewership. The Mandalorian season 2 released mid-pandemic, meaning viewing figures were up because people were under lockdown.
The Book of Boba Fett was likely bolstered by the inclusion of a legacy character. In the same way, the return of both Hayden Christensen and Ewan McGregor meant Obi-Wan Kenobi felt like essential viewing, an important part of the Skywalker saga itself. Realistically, though, Disney will have been hoping The Mandalorian season 3 would outperform both these shows, performing at the same level as seasons 1 and 2, and will be disappointed to see that isn’t the case.
It’s too soon to say whether these figures are truly significant, however. It’s entirely possible viewers plan to binge-watch The Mandalorian season 3, and viewership will skyrocket when the season has come to an end – particularly given last season saved its biggest moments for the finale. So, while The Mandalorian isn’t yet drawing the viewers Disney will have hoped for, things may yet turn around – especially given the strong critical reaction to this latest Disney+ TV show.
Source: The Wrap