The Data Stream: TV Ratings and Analysis

Numbers, analysis and enthusiasms about what and how we watch stuff on TV, by Rick Porter.

Featured

Confessions of a Cancel Bear, Vol. 3: Streaming video killed the (minor) internet star

Apr 26, 2026

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8 min read

Confessions of a Cancel Bear, Vol. 3: Streaming video killed the (minor) internet star

Discourse about shows is still often insane, but the environment that allowed TV by the Numbers and the Bear to thrive doesn't exist anymore.

Apr 19, 2026

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5 min read

Confessions of a Cancel Bear, Vol. 2

My three years as the internet persona that mauled underperforming TV shows.

Apr 12, 2026

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9 min read

Confessions of a Cancel Bear, Vol. 1

The history of TV by the Numbers and how I came to run the site and its most famous feature.

Articles

Jun 1, 2026

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3 min read

The week ahead, June 1-7: Finals week

The NBA and NHL begin their championship series and summer shows begin rolling out.

A short history of dubious streaming ratings claims

May 31, 2026

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5 min read

A short history of dubious streaming ratings claims

Are they outright lies? Probably not — but there are a lot of ways to put a spin on viewing numbers.

May 29, 2026

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5 min read

'Stranger Things' is how big?

Looking at (mostly) season-long cross-platform ratings, plus the weekly network and streaming numbers.

The week ahead, May 25-31: 'The Four Seasons' and the summer TV season

May 25, 2026

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4 min read

The week ahead, May 25-31: 'The Four Seasons' and the summer TV season

Here's hoping you're reading this while you relax on Memorial Day.

'The Late Show' bows out, and weekly numbers for May 11-17

May 22, 2026

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4 min read

'The Late Show' bows out, and weekly numbers for May 11-17

Plus the top streaming shows for April 20-26.

Farewell to 'The Late Show': Finales, premieres and specials for May 18-24

May 18, 2026

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4 min read

Farewell to 'The Late Show': Finales, premieres and specials for May 18-24

It's the final week of the 2025-26 TV season.