Who Will Break Out? A Guide to Betting on Web Series Success
With the proliferation of streaming platforms and digital content creators, web series have exploded in popularity over the past decade. Once an underground novelty, web series are now a major part of the entertainment landscape. This opens up ample opportunity for viewers to try and predict which new web shows will break out into mainstream success.
Popular Web Series
Some of the best known – and most popular – web series include crime dramas like Breaking Bad and Fargo, fantasy epics such as Game of Thrones, comedies like The Office and Arrested Development, sci-fi thrillers like Dark, and thought-provoking shows tackling mortality like Six Feet Under. Other noteworthy shows include Chernobyl, The Boys, Succession, and Dexter.
Many of these web series have gained massive popularity and fan followings thanks to their complex character-driven narratives, unpredictable plot twists, social commentary, dark humor, and high production values. The compelling storytelling and high entertainment value make them engaging series to binge, which is why you must add them to your watch list if you haven’t already binged them.
What Made Game of Thrones So Popular?
Using Game of Thrones as an example of a massively popular web series that achieved legendary status until the final season, which everyone and their dog hated, let’s look at why it became a huge hit.
- Complex, well-developed characters – The show featured an ensemble cast of intricately crafted characters, each with unique motivations, that viewers became invested in. This made their fates and the show emotionally compelling.
- Shocking, unpredictable plot twists – The storytelling regularly subverted expectations, keeping audiences hooked through unpredictable twists and turns that raised the dramatic stakes.
- Epic fantasy worldbuilding – The medieval-inspired setting of Westeros provided an immersive, expansive fantasy world for the show to unfold in. The lavish production values brought it to life vividly.
- Social commentary and themes – Under the fantasy veneer, the show tackled thought-provoking themes relating to politics, power, gender roles, family, and morality. This added depth.
- Watercooler effect – The drama, deaths, and scandals prompted heated discussion online and in pop culture, boosting engagement. Being part of the fan conversation became appealing.
- Bingeable format – As a streaming series without week-to-week scheduling, it was easy for viewers to binge through episodes and get absorbed in the storytelling.
- Mainstream accessibility – Despite being high fantasy, the themes, characters, and appeal made the show accessible for a wider mainstream audience beyond hardcore genre fans.
- Big budget production – With HBO backing, the series had the budget for large-scale battle scenes, exotic locations, and cinematic quality that made it feel like an epic event.
If you are a fan of web series, how can you spot the next big hit? Here are some tips on what to look for when betting on web series success.
Look at the Creators and Cast
One of the best indicators of whether a new web series can break through is the talent behind it. If the creators have proven track records and a fanbase from previous popular projects, that’s a good sign; for example, Issa Rae’s Insecure or Rob McElhenney’s Mythic Quest. Well-known actors or comedians choosing to star in a web series also brings built-in attention. A cast with rising young talents can work too, like the stars of High School or The Summer I Turned Pretty.
Follow the Hype
Listen to the buzz around a new web series, especially among critics and influencers. Web shows that generate excited chatter on social media and get written up early on entertainment sites have momentum. Strong word of mouth and rave reviews out of initial festival screenings is promising. If a web series becomes a hot topic among pop culture and internet circles, it has a good chance of wider success.
Many of the GOT cast were unknowns at the start of the series, but by the end had become worldwide stars.
Here are some of the cast members of Game of Thrones who were relatively unknown when the show started but became stars over the course of the series:
- Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen – Clarke was fresh out of drama school and this was her first major acting role. She became globally famous for playing the Mother of Dragons.
- Kit Harington as Jon Snow – Harington had only minor roles before being cast as fan favorite Jon Snow. He gained widespread recognition.
- Sophie Turner as Sansa Stark– Turner made her acting debut as a teen playing Sansa. She grew up over the course of the show into a household name.
- Maisie Williams as Arya Stark – Williams was also an unknown child actress who shot to fame playing the fierce Arya Stark.
- Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister – Dinklage was mainly a character actor before his Emmy-winning turn as Tyrion made him a star.
Look for Pedigreed Platforms
While YouTube and other ad-supported sites have birthed popular web shows, the most likely breakouts today come from major streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, and HBO Max. A series backed by their marketing budgets and existing subscriber bases already has a leg up. The platform’s reputation for quality originals also rubs off. A series arriving on a newer, untested platform is riskier.
Watch the View Counts
Unlike traditional TV ratings, actual viewership data is available for most web shows through public-facing stats like YouTube views. While precise streaming numbers aren’t released, platforms will selectively tout figures for a very popular show. If a new series has a high volume of views per episode, it’s resonating with audiences. Sustained viewership over a full season, rather than a dip after initial curiosity, is especially positive.
Consider Wider Appeal
A niche web series tailored to a specific fandom or interest has viability, but a wider audience base indicates greater potential for crossover success. Look for universally relatable themes and diverse representation that invites more demographics to watch. Buzz extending beyond its core community into broader pop culture is a tip-off. Mass popularity requires some mainstream appeal.
Predicting which web series will break out in a crowded field is certainly difficult. But by analyzing the pedigrees involved, hype levels, platform partners, measurable engagement, and creative accessibility, you can make informed bets on the next big thing in streaming. Just trust your taste, follow the momentum, and you may spot the next viral hit before it explodes.