Apple TV viewership surged 36 percent in December, driven by the breakout success of Pluribus, the platform’s science fiction drama series, per Deadline. Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Services, called Pluribus Apple TV’s “biggest series to date” and credited the show with delivering record engagement for the streaming service during the month.
Deadline notes that the increase represents a significant milestone for Apple TV as it continues to compete in an increasingly crowded streaming market. Cue’s comments came as Apple reviewed its overall performance throughout 2025, with Pluribus identified as a central factor behind December’s gains. While Apple does not publicly disclose detailed streaming metrics, its acknowledgment of a double-digit increase suggests a notable rise in viewer engagement during the period.
The report states that the viewership surge coincided with the weekly release of Pluribus episodes following its fall premiere. This release strategy appears to have sustained momentum throughout December, helping maintain audience interest beyond the show’s initial launch window. Although specific figures were not shared, Apple’s designation of Pluribus as its most successful series to date suggests broad and consistent viewership growth.
Pluribus was created by Vince Gilligan (Breaking Bad, Community) and stars Rhea Seehorn (Bad Boys: Ride or Die, The Twilight Zone), reuniting the pair after their work together on Better Call Saul. According to Deadline, the series had already set records earlier in its run, including strong premiere benchmarks for an Apple TV drama. Its continued popularity into December indicates that the series has retained audience attention as new episodes rolled out.
The December spike also reflects broader shifts in how streaming platforms evaluate success. Deadline reports that Apple has placed greater emphasis on individual breakout titles to measure engagement, tracking metrics such as hours viewed per title and customer retention rather than relying solely on subscriber totals. In that context, Pluribus’s impact underscores its importance within Apple TV’s original programming strategy.
While Apple TV’s exact metrics remain undisclosed, Pluribus has emerged as a primary driver of recent viewership growth. As the season continues, the series is expected to remain a focal point for Apple TV as it builds on its record-setting December performance.