Apple Says 'Severance' Is Now More Popular Than 'Ted Lasso'

[MacRumors]

Apple has revealed that "Severance" has become its most-watched Apple TV+ series ever, surpassing previous record-holder "Ted Lasso" in unique viewers during its first month of season two availability.

According to figures shared with Deadline, the Ben Stiller-directed sci-fi drama drew the highest number of unique viewers in Apple TV+ history from January 17 through February 17, 2025.

The milestone follows an extensive marketing campaign for the show's second season, which included Apple CEO Tim Cook participating in a promotional video.

Nielsen streaming data cited by Deadline supports Apple's claims, with "Severance" securing the fourth position on its Top 10 Originals chart. The series accumulated 589 million viewing minutes in the United States during its premiere week, with 28% of viewers watching the season two opener.

The show's success appears to have prompted Apple to fast-track its next installment, and production on the third season is already underway in Los Angeles, with the writers room actively developing new episodes. Director Ben Stiller says he hopes to avoid another extended hiatus like the three-year gap between seasons one and two.

Apple has been investing heavily in the series – season two episodes reportedly cost nearly $20 million each to produce, making "Severance" one of Apple TV+'s most expensive original productions.

Article Link: Apple Says 'Severance' Is Now More Popular Than 'Ted Lasso'

 

[Rychiar]

good. I really don't understand how ted lasso ever got to be number one. so many great shows on Apple TV

 

[Zapski]

Your Outie names their files sequentially, and without the word “final”

 

[urtules]

Please enjoy each Apple TV+ show equally.

 

[cawgijoe]

Will have to try and watch again. Could not get past the first episode of the first season.

 

[Eric5h5]

The "$20 million per episode" was debunked.

 

[Zapski]

Your Outie prints their most important photos, and stores them in a shoebox

 

[satchmo]

good. I really don't understand how ted lasso ever got to be number one. so many great shows on Apple TV

I think it was decent the first season, but got overly sappy and became just another sitcom with tired storylines.

 

[xiJulian_]

Finally we’re not gonna see ted lasso at every single Apple event

 

[guzhogi]

Honestly, as much as I like Severance, I like Ted Lasso more. I need the positivity, since Severance and so many shows are so dark and dystopian.

 

[CharlesShaw]

Enjoy(ed)(ing) them both, but they're as different as Frazier and Twin Peaks.

 

[D-a-a-n]

Also don't forget to watch Pachinko on AppleTV+, it's sad it doesn't get any press at all.

 

[theluggage]

Finally we’re not gonna see ted lasso at every single Apple event

Just strangely bland employees serving a cult-like company in an architectural-award-bait headquarters…

 

[CharlesShaw]

Also don't forget to watch Pachinko on AppleTV+, it's sad it doesn't get any press at all.

Perhaps those who fall in love with Anna Sawai in Shõgun (Hulu) will check her IMDb and want to see her in Pachinko.

 

[HMFIC03]

Ted Lasso was great until it wasn’t around S3

 

[Lwii2boo]

I guess I am not the audience but I did not liked Ted Lasso, I was surprised given how good it's rated on IMDb.
I guess feel good comedies are just not my jam.

On the other hand I loved Silo and Severance

 

[dmr727]

We enjoyed Ted Lasso, and are currently enjoying Severance too. Very different vibes, though!

 

[emmab2006]

Severance was awfully boring. For All Mankind is the best show apple has, twinned with Ted Lasso if you ask me , but thats because they Mentioned my Club Port Vale in the 2nd season haha

 

[Agent007]

I loved s1 of Severance but I barely finished the 1st episode of s1. I get this sense that the writers are wondering what's coming next as much as the viewers. Reminds me of "Lost" which hooked me in for a couple episodes until it seemed like the writers were just throwing random cliffhanger crap in each episode and figuring out where to go with it later (if it even went anywhere)

 

[theluggage]

Severance was awfully boring.

Tastes vary. It’s certainly a slow burn - but it depends on your appetite for “weird and atmospheric”.

I loved s1 of Severance but I barely finished the 1st episode of s1.

Maybe give it another chance - S2E1 played out like a typical TV industry “plot reset button” cop-out, but the following episodes cast it in a rather different light. Probably worth re-watching S1 since it’s been 3 years… I do hope they plan to wrap things up with S3 though - they can always come up with a spinoff if people still want more.

 

[dmr727]

I get this sense that the writers are wondering what's coming next as much as the viewers. Reminds me of "Lost" which hooked me in for a couple episodes until it seemed like the writers were just throwing random cliffhanger crap in each episode and figuring out where to go with it later (if it even went anywhere)

If you listen to the showrunners, they claim to have it all mapped out. But who knows? I'd give season 2 another try - we're at episode 5 and it's been really good, IMO.

 

[Think|Different]

I think it was decent the first season, but got overly sappy and became just another sitcom with tired storylines.

You have no idea with a “sitcom” is, it seems.

 

[sw1tcher]

Apple has revealed that "Severance" has become its most-watched Apple TV+ series ever, surpassing previous record-holder "Ted Lasso" in unique viewers during its first month of season two availability.

The show's success appears to have prompted Apple to fast-track its next installment...

What does Apple count as a view though? If it's like how Netflix used to count a 2 minute watch as a view, then that can be very misleading regarding the quality of the show. It's hard for me to get a good feel and to judge the quality of something unless I watch at least 10 to 15 minutes of it.

 

[sw1tcher]

I think it was decent the first season, but got overly sappy and became just another sitcom with tired storylines.

You have no idea with a “sitcom” is, it seems.

Isn't it content you sit down to watch and then complain about how bad it is?

 

[Darajavahus]

I don't get it, it's soooo boring even speed up