Step up your game: How is Netflix doing it?

As part of their strategy to optimize (and maximize) their subscriber base, Netflix now also knows when viewers got “hooked”with a particular series.

The streaming service company launched a study between January and July 2015, with the intention of researching after which episodes viewers were more likely to watch the entire season of a determined show. In case you were wondering, it is not the pilot.

Netflix’s methodology consisted in finding that episode after which 70% or more of the viewers went on to complete, at least, the first season of the show. Data was analyzed for 25 shows (Netflix originals and others aired in regular TV networks) in 16 countries (Australia, Brazil, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, the UK and the US), and even though specific episodes were identified for all the series in the study, Netflix did not disclose information about their findings on what makes a “hook episode”. Another finding was that, releasing all season episodes at once and being able to stream them without commercial interruptions, creates “fans” more rapidly than under the conventional TV system.

Here’s the full list of results:

1. Arrow, Episode 8
2. Bates Motel, Episode  2
3. Better Call Saul, Episode 4
4. Bloodline, Episode 4
5. BoJack Horseman, Episode 5
6. Breaking Bad, Episode 2
7. Daredevil, Episode 5
8. Dexter, Episode 3
9. Gossip Girl, Episode 3
10. Grace & Frankie, Episode 4
11. How I Met Your Mother, Episode 8
12. House of Cards, Episode 3
13. Mad Men, Episode 6
14. Marco Polo, Episode 3
15. Orange is the New Black, Episode 3
16. Once Upon a Time, Episode 6
17. Pretty Little Liars, Episode 4
18. Scandal, Episode 2
19. Sense8, Episode 3
20. Sons of Anarchy, Episode 2
21. Suits, Episode 2
22. The Blacklist, Episode 6
23. The Killing, Episode 2
24. The Walking Dead, Episode 2
25. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Episode 4

Now, just seat back and enjoy your favorite show!