Brind.
From Amazon uses critical scores to measure success of high-cost Prime Video series

How will Amazon Prime Video's reliance on critical scores affect its content strategy?

Prime Video commits to five seasons despite mixed critical and viewer scores Amazon Prime Video has committed to producing all five seasons of its massive series, *The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power*, despite mixed reception. While the series earned a score above 80% on Rotten Tomatoes for its first two seasons, the first season was rated only 38% by viewers and saw a low completion rate. Amazon stated that the show has been a success for its model, allowing the streamer to proceed with the planned massive investment.

Reported by 1 independent outlet Written Saturday
Effect
Mixed
How direct
Stated in the reporting
When
Over the long term
The story
No new developments lately

How it reaches Amazon Prime Video

Reported by news outlets

Tap any step to see the evidence behind it.

The facts so far

As reported. Each one links to where it comes from.

  • The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power required a massive upfront investment for IP rights totaling $250 million.collider.com
  • The first two seasons of the series earned a score above 80% on Rotten Tomatoes.collider.com
  • The first season was rated 38% by viewers, and the second season's viewership also dropped.collider.com
  • Prime Video remains committed to making all five seasons of the series.collider.com

Why it matters

The decision to continue such a costly project signals Amazon's commitment to a high-budget, high-risk content strategy within the streaming wars. The series is noted as the most expensive series ever made, with future seasons expected to push the total cost over $1 billion, making the success of the underlying business model critical to Amazon's content division.

This approach contrasts with the alternative of shelving the project and paying a fee for breaking the contract. The high cost of ambitious, visually demanding shows—which can cost as much as a mid-budget movie—is a defining feature of modern television, forcing streamers to rely on metrics beyond simple viewer ratings to justify massive financial commitments.

What we don't know yet

  • What specific metrics, besides critical scores, are Amazon using to define the success of its content model?
  • Will the low viewer completion rates of the first season influence the production decisions for future seasons?

What would change this answer

Amazon announces a reduction in the planned five seasonsThis would indicate that the mixed performance metrics are outweighing the strategic value of the content model.
The series achieves a high completion rate in the third seasonThis would validate Amazon's current content investment model, reinforcing the commitment to high-budget, high-risk productions.

Reporting

Keep going

The full eventAmazon uses critical scores to measure success of high-cost Prime Video series Everything aboutAmazon Prime Video

Brind's analysis is written by AI from the reporting linked above and can be wrong. It explains possible effects; it is not investment advice.