“The Rings of Power” Premiere Draws 25 Million Viewers, Setting New Amazon Prime Record

Screenshot from “Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power”
Screenshot from “Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power”

After years in the making, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power arrived on Amazon Prime last week and set many major records in its wake. Following the premiere of the first two episodes, the series attracted 25 million viewers, setting a new viewership record for this streaming service.

With a global audience of over 25 million people, The Rings of Power scored the biggest premiere in the 15-year-long history of Amazon Prime. Amazon Studios boss Jennifer Salke sees this as a big success for everyone involved, and none of it would’ve been possible without tens of millions of people watching at home

“I am so grateful to the Tolkien Estate – and to our showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay, executive producer Lindsey Weber, cast and crew – for their tireless collaborative efforts and boundless creative energy,” said Salke in a statement.

The Rings of Power is set thousands of years before the events of The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings trilogy. It takes place during Middle-earth’s Second Age and chronicles such events as the forging of the rings of power and the rise of the dark lord Sauron. The first season will feature a total of eight episodes, set to premiere weekly.