Apple TV+‘s breakout hit “Ted Lasso” was the most viewed streaming original series in 2023, racking up a whopping 16.9 billion minutes watched, according to Nielsen ratings.

Despite having significantly fewer subscribers than rivals like Netflix and Prime Video, Apple enjoyed immense success with “Ted Lasso” last year. The comedy series surpassed all other streaming originals, with Netflix’s “The Night Agent” coming in a distant second at 14.4 billion minutes viewed.

“Ted Lasso” saw steady viewership throughout 2023 rather than short spikes, indicative of its staying power. The season finale alone topped 1 billion minutes watched in a single week in April, a new high for the show.

Overall, Netflix dominated the top 10 most viewed streaming series, claiming 8 of the 10 spots. But the triumph of “Ted Lasso” demonstrates that Apple’s original content can drive buzz and viewership.

On the movie side, acquired content reigned supreme, with the former USA Network series “Suits” racking up 57.7 billion streaming minutes in 2023 to lead all shows. But when it comes to original streaming series, “Ted Lasso” stood tall above the rest.

Its feel-good comedy and word-of-mouth momentum make it a bright spot for Apple TV+, which continues to build its catalog of original programming. As the streamer with the fewest subscribers, Apple has an uphill climb, but “Ted Lasso‘s” sensational 2023 viewership is a promising sign of its ability to create must-watch content.