HBO’s anthology series True Detective is experiencing a new high with its current season, Night Country, surpassing the viewership of its first season. The fourth season, led by Jodie Foster and Kali Reis, premiered on January 14 and has since averaged 12.7 million viewers across all platforms, making it the most-watched season in the show’s history.
True Detective: Night Country has exceeded the first season’s average of 11.9 million viewers, which aired ten years ago. HBO measures viewing for 90 days after a season premiere, and the current season has consistently drawn a large audience.
Streaming has played a significant role in the success of Night Country, as is the trend with HBO series. While the show’s initial airing on HBO averaged about 642,000 viewers for the first four episodes, streaming on HBO Max has more than doubled the linear audience. HBO reports that episode five, which premiered two days early on Max to avoid clashing with the Super Bowl, has reached 5 million viewers across all platforms.
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Comparing the numbers, Night Country outperforms other popular HBO series like The White Lotus, which averaged 10.1 million viewers before its finale, and Succession, which had 8.7 million viewers over a similar time span.
The success of Night Country highlights the enduring appeal and quality of True Detective, as audiences continue to be drawn to its compelling storytelling and engaging characters.