The cancellation of 'Ride Or Die' by Prime Video has sent ripples through the industry, especially given the show's impressive performance metrics since its debut. According to a report from Deadline, the decision has taken many involved by surprise, as the action-comedy was not only well-received by audiences and critics but also delivered strong viewership figures.
Launched on July 15, 'Ride Or Die' quickly rose to the No. 1 spot in daily U.S. rankings on Prime Video, even outperforming big-budget films. It logged 927K views within its first two days, significantly surpassing other Prime Video YA titles that received more extensive marketing and were subsequently renewed. The series consistently dominated Luminate's weekly U.S. rankings, doubling and tripling the viewership of comparable new series in its early weeks.
Its success wasn't limited to Prime Video's internal metrics. 'Ride Or Die' made a strong showing on Nielsen's Weekly Top 10, debuting at No. 8 overall and No. 3 among original streaming series with 869 million minutes viewed. It climbed further in its second week, hitting No. 4 overall and No. 2 for streaming originals with 922 million minutes. Reportedly, it was Prime Video's most-watched new scripted series in the U.S. for a significant period. Globally, the show was the No. 1 most-watched Prime Video original for its first three weeks and remained in the Global Top 10 more than two months later. Its completion rates were also comparable to several other Prime Video series that received renewals.
Critics and audiences alike embraced 'Ride Or Die,' which boasts an impressive 96% on Rotten Tomatoes from critics and an 85% audience score. The show, created by Tessa Coates, stars Octavia Spencer as Debbie Claybourne and Hannah Waddingham as Judith Burton, best friends whose lives are upended when Judith's secret life as an international assassin is revealed. The first season concluded with several cliffhangers, setting the stage for major storylines in a potential second installment.
Despite its undeniable success and coming in under budget, the reasons behind Prime Video's decision remain unclear. One theory, as reported by Deadline, suggests that the show's appeal to a demographic of middle-aged women might have inadvertently hampered its chances. The cynical perspective posits that many women in this age group already subscribe to Amazon Prime for shopping, meaning a show targeting them might not bring in a significant number of new subscribers—a key metric for streaming platforms.
This stands in stark contrast to Peacock's 'The Five Star Weekend,' another series focusing on 50-something female friendships that launched around the same time and received a second season renewal. Now, Paramount Television Studios, which produced 'Ride Or Die' alongside Amazon MGM Studios and others, is actively shopping the series to other potential buyers, hoping to find a new home where Debbie and Judith's story can continue.