Bluey becomes America’s most watched TV show of 2024

It seems American kids really love Bluey – more than any other show.

The popular Australian children’s show has smashed streaming ratings* to become the most watched television series in the US this year.

According to ratings agency* Nielsen, Bluey has been the most-watched series on streaming this year so far among total viewers in the US, with over 35 billion minutes watched, or 584 million hours.

Daley Pearson, the director and co-founder of Ludo Studio, which produces Bluey, posted on LinkedIn about the achievement.

“Bluey’s now the No. 1 most watched show (of all shows) in the United States of America for 2024. How incredible,” Mr Pearson said.

“With 35 billion minutes watched this year.”

The post attracted a range of comments, including one from the US Embassy* in Australia.

“All our kids love it (and now use the word ‘dunny’)! Congratulations!,” the comment read.

The feat comes after Bluey was the second most streamed show of 2023, with 43.9 billion minutes viewed, according to Nielsen.

Bluey also consistently falls in the top five series on Disney+ by monthly views.

The views will continue to rise this year, with seven new “Bluey Minisodes*” set to be released on Disney+ on October 7.

The achievement is the latest in a remarkable year for Bluey, which took out the Best Children’s Program award at the 2024 Logies*.

Earlier in the year, more than 3.4 million Australians tuned in to watch a three-episode special for the season finale* of Bluey.

The beloved Australian character also features in a new set of 10 “Dollarbuck” $1 coins recently released by the Royal Australian Mint*.

POLL

GLOSSARY

• streaming ratings: a measure of the number and type of people that watch TV shows using streaming services
• ratings agency: a company that conducts research into TV or streaming ratings
• US Embassy: an official headquarters for US diplomats and government representatives living and working in Australia
• minisodes: short or mini episodes
• Logies: a yearly award ceremony celebrating the best shows and stars in Australian television
• season finale: the last episode in the season of a TV show
• Royal Australian Mint: a Commonwealth Government institution in Canberra that produces all the coins used in Australia

EXTRA READING
Real life Bluey dollarbucks for sale
Bluey for Brisbane Games mascot?
Australians love ‘true blue’ homemade TV

QUICK QUIZ
1. How many minutes of Bluey have been watched in the US so far this year?
2. How many hours does this equate to?
3. Which Aussie slang word does the US Embassy in Australia say American kids now use as a result of watching Bluey?
4. Which award did Bluey win at the 2024 Logies?
5. How many Australians watched the special three-part season finale of Bluey earlier this year?

LISTEN TO THIS STORY

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Bluey goes global
With American kids loving our Aussie show Bluey as much as we do, and using slang terms such as ‘dunny’ as stated in the article, what other Australian colloquial (everyday) expressions might become part of their vocabulary from the hit TV show? Work with a classmate to compile your own list;

Aussie expressions from Bluey:

Dunny – toilet

Time: allow 20 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Personal and Social, Critical and Creative Thinking

2. Extension
What next for Bluey? Where do you think the show’s creators should take Bluey next to continue to grow its brand and following? List your ideas below;

–

–

–

Time: allow 10 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Personal and Social, Critical and Creative Thinking

VCOP ACTIVITY
Proudly Aussie made!
There are many fantastic Bluey episodes to watch, most of which actually have a great moral, either really evident, or hidden a little deeper.

As a class, pick a Bluey episode to watch and discuss the moral behind the episode. What is it trying to share with its viewers and why?

Extension:
Want more Bluey in the classroom? See if you can create a lesson plan or activity for teachers to give their students after they watch the episode. Remember to include the learning intention for the teachers.