Nielsen’s finalized streaming data for September 2026 reveals a significant victory for Paramount Television Studios, which successfully secured three of the top four spots for original series across competing platforms. The studio’s output dominated the charts through a combination of established hits and fresh spin-offs, effectively bridging the gap between Prime Video and Paramount+.
The flagship action-thriller Reacher claimed the No. 1 spot as the most-streamed original series in the U.S. for the month. Based on the Lee Child novel Gone Tomorrow, the fourth season of the series amassed 4.6 billion minutes viewed. This performance solidified its position as a powerhouse for Amazon MGM Studios, even as the production itself stems from Paramount’s television division.
In a rare statistical tie, the third-place position was shared by two other Paramount Television Studios productions: the new Reacher spin-off Neagley and the Taylor Sheridan-led Lioness. Both series recorded 3.3 billion minutes viewed during the September window. The success of these series highlights a strategic “hand-off” release plan; Prime Video premiered all episodes of Neagley on September 16, 2026, the same day the Reacher Season 4 finale was made available.
The Taylor Sheridan and Spin-off Effect
While Reacher commanded the highest total volume of minutes, Taylor Sheridan’s Lioness reached its own milestone. The Season 3 finale, which aired on September 20, 2026, set a series record by drawing 9.7 million viewers within its first seven days. This surge helped propel the show to its shared third-place ranking alongside the Neagley premiere.
According to data from Comic Basics, there is a notable divergence in audience reception between the two Reacher-related projects. While Reacher Season 4 dominated the charts, it carried a 67% audience score. In contrast, the Neagley spin-off, starring Maria Sten, debuted to a significantly higher 92% audience score, suggesting strong long-term brand health for the expanding franchise.
The September data underscores a unique production paradox in the current streaming landscape. Despite being direct competitors, both Prime Video and Paramount+ relied on the same production house to deliver their highest-performing content. By producing three of the top four most-streamed originals in a single month, Paramount Television Studios has established itself as a primary content engine for the industry at large, regardless of which app viewers choose to open.
