Notwithstanding concerns of a decline in viewership, Prime Video’s opulent rendition of Tolkien seems to be proceeding as planned.
Yesterday, Amazon Prime Video announced preliminary figures for the second season of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, revealing that “40 million viewers” engaged with the series inside its first 11 days. The data, disclosed by Amazon Studios head Jennifer Salke in a letter seen by Variety, is great; nevertheless, it fails to mention the actual viewing minutes, a crucial factor given that season one had a decline in viewership as it advanced. It is also inferior to the viewership figures of the first season. However, it seemed sufficient to persuade Amazon to adhere to its initial strategy for the Middle-earth series.
A Hollywood Reporter article analyzes the challenges faced by Rings of Power, alongside the ongoing drama surrounding HBO’s House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones creator George R.R. Martin, noting that “a third season [of Rings of Power] has been in development for months, although it has not received official approval.” Furthermore, after the premiere ratings of season two, sources tell THR that the business continues to uphold their initial five-season strategy, despite third-party services indicating a significant decline in ratings from the series’ first season.
io9 contacted Prime Video to inquire about developments on season three and the accuracy of the “five-season plan” story; this article will be updated upon receiving a response.
Set millennia prior to the narratives most commonly associated with the Lord of the Rings—derived from J.R.R. Tolkien’s literature and Peter Jackson’s acclaimed, Oscar-winning films set high expectations for the series. “Rings of Power,” which debuted in 2022, generated significant enthusiasm among ardent fans, television critics, and casual viewers intrigued by what THR calls “the $715 million series.” Despite the impressive production qualities throughout the first season, the narrative failed to engage many viewers, who found it too sluggish. The series introduced the titular rings only in the last episode.
Although season two has accelerated significantly—with an increased number of rings and a new covert persona for the primary antagonist Sauron—several of the previous criticisms persist. In an interview with THR, co-showrunner J.D. Payne acknowledged the existence of detractors of Rings of Power. “The Fellowship must rely on one another and their supporters, while recalling the purpose of their struggle,” he conveyed to the publication. “When we observe that millions are viewing this and responding positively, that is our motivation for the struggle.” We also welcome individuals who scrutinize each episode and express their criticisms on social media and YouTube. A voyage to Middle-earth would be incomplete without encountering trolls.
The fifth episode of the second season, which consists of eight episodes like the first season, will be released tomorrow, September 12, on Prime Video. Will you remain engaged for five seasons of Rings of Power, should Prime Video really go with the full duration?
CREDIT: Allneeds, GIZMODO
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