'Greyhound' viewer numbers equal summer box office smash, report says
Apple's multimillion dollar investment in Tom Hanks vehicle "Greyhound" appears to have paid off, as opening Apple TV+ viewer numbers rivaled those of a traditional summer box office hit.
Tom Hanks in "Greyhound."
Citing sources familiar with the matter, Deadline reports "Greyhound" was the largest opening weekend release in Apple TV+ history, including bows for original series.
While exact numbers were not revealed, insiders claim initial viewership was in the same league as big-budget summer theatrical debuts. "Greyhound" was originally destined for the screen before the coronavirus pandemic put a kink in Sony's plans for the film. Apple acquired streaming rights to the property in May as part of a deal estimated to be worth some $70 million.
More importantly for Apple, and perhaps as designed, the blockbuster generated interest in the fledgling Apple TV+. According to sources, 30% of viewers who watched "Greyhound" were new to the subscription service.
"Greyhound's" release reportedly eclipsed other popular Apple TV+ shows including previous record holder "Defending Jacob," a limited run series starring Chris Evans.
Hanks in interviews leading up to last Friday's release voiced disappointment in the fate of his World War II saga, characterizing the shift to streaming as "an absolute heartbreak." He struck a more optimistic tone in later press junkets, saying Apple "saved the day" by offering the film through its "benevolent streaming service."
"We are going to be able to fill up the screens in the living rooms and the bean-bag chairs of the world all in one fall shot, so we feel as though we were rescued at sea by a convoy with a big Apple logo with a bite taken out of it," Hanks said in an interview with NBC's Today.
"Greyhound" tells the story of a Navy captain tasked with protecting a convoy from a pack of German U-boats during his first command in the Battle of the Atlantic.
Tom Hanks in "Greyhound."
Citing sources familiar with the matter, Deadline reports "Greyhound" was the largest opening weekend release in Apple TV+ history, including bows for original series.
While exact numbers were not revealed, insiders claim initial viewership was in the same league as big-budget summer theatrical debuts. "Greyhound" was originally destined for the screen before the coronavirus pandemic put a kink in Sony's plans for the film. Apple acquired streaming rights to the property in May as part of a deal estimated to be worth some $70 million.
More importantly for Apple, and perhaps as designed, the blockbuster generated interest in the fledgling Apple TV+. According to sources, 30% of viewers who watched "Greyhound" were new to the subscription service.
"Greyhound's" release reportedly eclipsed other popular Apple TV+ shows including previous record holder "Defending Jacob," a limited run series starring Chris Evans.
Hanks in interviews leading up to last Friday's release voiced disappointment in the fate of his World War II saga, characterizing the shift to streaming as "an absolute heartbreak." He struck a more optimistic tone in later press junkets, saying Apple "saved the day" by offering the film through its "benevolent streaming service."
"We are going to be able to fill up the screens in the living rooms and the bean-bag chairs of the world all in one fall shot, so we feel as though we were rescued at sea by a convoy with a big Apple logo with a bite taken out of it," Hanks said in an interview with NBC's Today.
"Greyhound" tells the story of a Navy captain tasked with protecting a convoy from a pack of German U-boats during his first command in the Battle of the Atlantic.
Comments
I thought Apple TV+ was an empty theater and no one was watching?
There's always an excuse man.....
I hear this kind of vapid anti-authoritarian ranting at Apple from teenage Android owners. Maybe he’s honing a new character get younger parts.
Long term vision.
I see this as a great win for the service and Hanks. Getting 30 percent of non-Apple TV plus members to join the service to watch this movie is a pretty huge deal. There is also enough content on the service now to have someone new get hooked on a few shows before the second seasons in the fall in spring.
Hopefully Apple can provide more previews like Foundation to show they have more flagship content besides The Morning Show.
Tom Hank's improves his standing in Hollywood as a leading man, getting people to subscribe to a service for a movie he produced.
When I heard that the budget for 6 Underground was close to $200M, I was wondering how Netflix could afford it and how it planned to make money off the investment. Then I realised that their subscription numbers were so high that they could easily afford to fund a movie like that regularly.
Apple will get to that stage. Like @Beats said, it is a long term vision.
$10 per person, plus snacks. I think there's still a short free trial period with ATV+ too. So, people could sign up and essentially watch for free. That's not necessarily a bad thing, because some % of those will stick and become paying subscribers.
If Apple did just one of these big movies per month I’d consider renewing. As the service stands now there is no chance of that happening for our family.