Dwayne Johnson’s Canceled HBO Series is Now a Hit on Netflix

 “Ballers’ Netflix Resurgence: Is It the New ‘Suits’?”

Suits may have set new streaming records for Netflix this summer, four years after concluding its nine-season run on USA Network, but can HBO’s Ballers, starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, follow suit?

The premium half-hour cable series, boasting a talented ensemble cast including Rob Corddry and John David Washington, and even counted among Senator Elizabeth Warren’s favorites, is now available on Max (formerly HBO Max) and recently debuted on Netflix. Since its arrival on Netflix on Aug. 15, Ballers has surged into the streaming giant’s global top 10 list, maintaining its position for the first two weeks.

Evidence suggests Ballers could replicate Suits’ surprising Netflix success. In the week of Aug. 14 to Aug. 20, the show garnered a staggering 696 million total minutes of viewership, a 400-fold increase compared to the previous week when it was only available on Max.

Created by Stephen Levinson and executive-produced by Johnson and Mark Wahlberg, Ballers offered viewers a scripted glimpse into sports culture and lavish lifestyles. The show, a comedic drama, spanned 47 episodes over five seasons from 2015 to 2019. It centered on retired Miami Dolphins football star Spencer Strasmore (played by Johnson) as he embarks on a new journey advising professional athletes and high-profile clients despite having only a meager $200 to his name. The series followed Strasmore’s trials and tribulations as he navigates demanding personalities and colossal egos and often butts heads with Joe Krutel (played by Corddry), his friend and fellow financial advisor, over lucrative contracts, personal crises, and multi-million dollar deals.

John David Washington, a former football player like Johnson, portrayed Ricky Jerret, a fiercely competitive and deeply spiritual NFL star. Meanwhile, Omar Miller took on the role of Charles Greene, an ex-NFL player grappling to find his footing. The ensemble cast also included Donovan W. Carter, Troy Garity, London Brown, Jazmyn Simon, Arielle Kebbel, and Brittany S. Hall, with notable guest appearances from Dule Hill, Michael Cudlitz, Fox Sports personality Jay Glazer, and real-life athletes such as Terrell Suggs.

Upon its debut in 2015, Ballers received mixed reviews from critics, though the general sentiment leaned towards the positive. The Hollywood Reporter dubbed it the “Entourage for the football world” and praised Johnson’s “magnetic” performance. The New York Times, while slightly more critical, noted the presence of too many sports “cliches,” deeming it an “unrewarding, predictable drama.” The show holds a 72% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with a “generally favorable” rating based on 35 critics’ reviews on Metacritic.

So, why the sudden resurgence of interest in Ballers? It’s experiencing the classic “Netflix bump” – a phenomenon where older shows find a new audience on the platform. Additionally, fresh content is scarce, with the entertainment industry facing disruptions due to strikes. Through a licensing deal between Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery, the parent company of HBO, popular titles like Ballers are making their way onto Netflix, which boasts a broader viewership.

During the week of Aug. 14 to Aug. 20, Ballers Season 1 climbed to the No. 3 spot on Netflix’s global top 10 TV list, accumulating 18.4 million hours viewed and 3.9 million views. The following week, ending Aug. 27, it maintained the No. 7 spot with 10.5 million hours considered, equivalent to 2.2 million views. Ballers is the first HBO series to enter Netflix’s top 10 under the new licensing agreement.

This resurgence can be partly attributed to Netflix’s extensive subscriber base, with around 239 million paying subscribers worldwide as of June, compared to Max’s estimated 83 million. This explains Ballers’ significant surge in viewing minutes during its debut week on Netflix.

In conclusion, Ballers possesses the key elements that made Suits a hit on Netflix. Its contemporary feel, boosted by Dwayne Johnson’s star power and its entertaining content, makes it a strong contender for the next surprise Netflix sensation. As audiences continue to revisit older shows on streaming platforms, the renewed interest in Ballers may signify a shift toward more nostalgia-driven viewing practices. While its future compared to Suits remains uncertain, it’s evident that Ballers has captured the attention of a new generation of viewers.