Lanterns episode 3 draws 10 million viewers on HBO Max
Episode 3 of DC Studios' Lanterns averaged 10 million viewers globally on HBO Max after three days, a series high, with 7 million in the U.S., Variety reports. The show is climbing week to week since its Aug. 16 premiere, and the pilot has passed 20 million worldwide.
Key Takeaways
- Episode 3 averaged 10 million global viewers and 7 million in the U.S. after three days on HBO Max.
- Those figures are a series high as Lanterns grows week to week since its Aug. 16 debut.
- The pilot has now drawn more than 20 million viewers worldwide, per the streamer.
- Lanterns ranks among the top five series launches in HBO Max history and remains the biggest DC Studios premiere on the platform.
How big were the Episode 3 numbers on HBO Max?
According to Variety, the third episode, which premiered Sunday, Aug. 30, averaged 10 million viewers globally and 7 million in the United States after three days of viewing. HBO Max said those totals mark a series high for Lanterns.
The DC Studios drama has climbed with each new episode since launching on Aug. 16. Separately, the streamer reports the pilot has now attracted more than 20 million viewers worldwide. For more streaming launches and ratings alerts, see our Streaming & TV Alerts hub.
Why does the week-to-week growth matter?
Many streaming shows spike at premiere and fade. Lanterns is doing the opposite: Gizmodo notes its HBO Max ratings have increased with each installment, including the flashback-heavy third episode titled "OutKast."
That pattern helped put the series among the top five launches in HBO Max history. It also remains the biggest premiere for a DC Studios show on the platform, ahead of live-action peers such as Peacemaker and The Penguin.
The numbers still trail a juggernaut like House of the Dragon, whose recent season three premiere reported 21.5 million global viewers in its first three days. Still, the upward arc echoes other HBO titles that found audiences mid-run, such as A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, which peaked later in its season.
What did Episode 3 explore for new viewers?
Variety reports Episode 3 dug into John Stewart's backstory, played by Aaron Pierre, and how long he trained—at his parents' direction—to one day succeed Hal Jordan, played by Kyle Chandler, as a Green Lantern. In the hour, a Guardian portrayed by Laura Linney tests whether John is worthy of replacing Hal.
Flashbacks show his father, John Stewart Sr. (J. Alphonse Nicholson), and mother Bernadette (Jasmine Cephas Jones) training him to show no fear. Based on DC's Green Lantern comics, the series follows recruit Stewart and legend Jordan as intergalactic cops investigating a murder in the American heartland.
Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof, and Tom King co-wrote the show and executive produce alongside James Hawes, James Gunn, Peter Safran, and Ron Schmidt. Gizmodo adds that showrunner Mundy has said he is already planning for a second season, though no renewal has been announced.