Wizards Beyond Waverly Placehas broken a streaming record. The show is a sequel series to Disney Channel’sWizards of Waverly Placefollowing a grown-up Justin Russo (David Henrie) reluctantly agreeing to train young wizard Billie (Janice LeAnn Brown) even though he has tried to keep the truth about magic from his family.Wizards Beyond Waverly Placeseason 1premiered its first two episodes on Disney Channel on October 29, which was followed by the first nine episodes of the 10-episode season dropping on the streaming service Disney+ the next day.
PerDeadline, the premiere episode ofWizards Beyond Waverly Placehas amassed 3.2 million global views during its first 12 days on Disney+. This makes itthe most-watched Disney Channel series premiere on the streaming service. The report also reveals that Nielsen’s streaming numbers reflect the show being No. 1 across all platforms during its first five days with Kids 6-11, Girls 6-11, Teens, and Adults 18-24. Read a statement on the streaming numbers from Disney Branded Television president Ayo Davis below:
Wizards Beyond Waverly Place has reintroduced the magic of the Russo family to a new generation, resonating with audiences across platforms. Its standout debut reflects the enduring appeal and relevance of this beloved franchise – and the creativity and talent driving this new chapter.
What This Means For Wizards Beyond Waverly Place
The Show Has A Bright Future
It is important to note that this streaming success, which may have been driven by glowingWizards Beyond Waverly Placereviewsearning the season a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, isonly for Disney Channel series as opposed to Disney+ originals. The streamer’s bigger franchise shows such asWandaVisionandThe Mandalorianlikely garnered more views (in Disney+’s case meaning viewing time divided by overall runtime) during their premieres, though Disney+ had not yet started reporting such metrics when those shows premiered.
Season 1 ofThe Mandalorianwas viewed for 5.42 billion minutes during the seven weeks of its initial run on Disney+.
However, by setting this particular record, the future of the sequel series seems very secure. While episode 1 was likely boosted by the presence ofreturningWaverly PlacecharacterAlex Russo (Selena Gomez) in a guest appearance, if the other episodes of the season garner similarly strong viewership,it seems highly likely that the show will be renewed for season 2before long.
Our Take On The Wizards Beyond Waverly Place Premiere
The Show’s Demographics Reveal Its Long-Term Appeal
While its bid for nostalgia may have helpedWizards Beyond Waverly Placethrive, the Nielsen demographics reveal thatthe popularity of the original series likely isn’t the only thing driving viewership. The two key demographics between the ages of 6 and 11 were not even born by the time the original show went off the air in 2012, showing how the appeal of the supernatural sitcom’s premise likely extends beyond a desire to see the return of legacy characters. By conquering the younger demographic, the show may have secured its longevity even beyond a second season.
Wizards Beyond Waverly Placeseason 1 airs in two-episode chunks on Disney Channel through November 22.
Wizards Beyond Waverly Place
Cast
Wizards Beyond Waverly Place follows adult Justin Russo, who leads a normal life until his sister Alex asks for help with a young wizard-in-training. Justin must revive his magical skills to mentor the trainee while balancing his family life and safeguarding the Wizard World’s future.
