The study, titled “10 Years of Streaming in India – An IMDb Report 2026,” meticulously analyzed page views from IMDb's vast global audience of over 250 million monthly visitors. It charted the top 10 Indian series each year from 2016 to 2026, identifying 64 distinct shows that captivated audiences during this transformative period for digital entertainment.
Leading the pack in popularity was the crime drama Mirzapur, which made an impressive nine appearances on the annual Top 10 list since its debut, solidifying its status as a cornerstone of Indian streaming. Another standout was Scam 1992, which managed to chart five times despite having only a single season, a testament to its enduring appeal. Genre-wise, crime and thriller narratives dominated, securing 48 out of 110 top slots, though later years saw a growing presence of horror, romance, comedy, and drama.
When it came to platform performance, Prime Video and Amazon MX Player collectively claimed the most positions, with 34 entries across 17 series. Netflix, while having fewer overall positions (21), showcased the broadest range of distinct titles, featuring 18 different series in the Top 10. The report also highlighted YouTube's significant role as a launchpad for talent and content, noting that 13 of the 64 charting series originated on the platform, with 11 of those eventually picked up by subscription services, demonstrating YouTube's ability to foster stories that scale to larger audiences.
On the production front, The Viral Fever (TVF) emerged as a powerhouse, responsible for nine charting series and an impressive 17 Top 10 slots, beginning with TVF Pitchers in 2016 and continuing through to Sapne vs Everyone this year. The study also recognized key talent shaping the industry, naming Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal, Vikrant Massey, Jitendra Kumar, Kapil Sharma, and Sunil Grover as “The MVPs of Streaming,” praised for their consistent hits and involvement in recurring franchises. Meanwhile, Kay Kay Menon, Naveen Kasturia, and Mona Singh were celebrated as the most versatile performers, each appearing in at least five diverse series, rather than being tied to a single franchise.
Despite the surge in viewer engagement, the report painted a cautious picture regarding production volume. New series and season commissions peaked at 202 in 2023, then steadily declined to 169 in 2024 and 145 in 2025. This downturn suggests a more selective market as the streaming landscape matures and consolidates. Hindi-language shows continued to dominate the original content landscape, accounting for 66% of Indian streaming originals in 2025.
Yaminie Patodia, head of IMDb India, explained the report's purpose: “Building on the success of last year’s report on Indian cinema, we turned our lens to series and used IMDb Data to understand how a decade of streaming has reshaped audience interests.” She added that industry leaders, including executives from Prime Video, YouTube, Netflix, and TVF, were consulted to provide insights into future trends, aiming to empower professionals with data for strategic decisions in the coming decade.