Paramount Plus will bring viewers many reboots, revivals, and continuations in 2021. This article ranks their chances of success, keeping in mind factors such as audience demand multipliers on Parrot Analytics, updated as of May 20, 2021. Let us know your rankings by leaving a comment!
10. The Game
With an audience demand multiplier of 1.4, the game is by far the lowest-demanded show being rebooted, revived, or continued by Paramount Plus. Unlike many of the other shows, The Game is not exactly a household name. While it had its fan base, it will always be the spinoff of a show from The WB. Still, audience research must have indicated there would be an audience for another run. If it can bring in new subscribers, it will be considered a success. The question is how many new subscribers it can realistically bring in.
9. Evil
Sure, Evil has been off the air since early 2020 after airing just 13 low-rated episodes, but a 2.3 multiplier is a 2.3 multiplier. It’s solid, but not nearly as good as the shows to follow on this list. Additionally, there’s a good chance many people have forgotten about the show. Paramount Plus will have to do a good job convincing people to sign up specifically for Evil. People who are interested in watching a show from Robert & Michelle King will have already signed up for Paramount Plus for The Good Fight, and it’s not like this is the only CBS drama shifting to the service either. I wouldn’t be surprised if it gets a solid number of viewers, but ultimately Viacom needs to focus on getting more people to subscribe to Paramount Plus.
8. Dora the Explorer
Sure, Dora is an iconic brand, launching spinoffs, movies, and tons of merchandise. However, this is a discussion about how a show will do on Paramount Plus, not how a property is doing in general. When it comes down to it, there’s no escaping the fact that Dora the Explorer is much farther down the ‘Nickelodeon’ list than the three other Nickelodeon shows returning in 2021–although its 9.3 multiplier is impressive. With this in mind, it is tough to see a live-action remake being a blockbuster hit. As the only show being brought back that is tailored toward young children, Dora has more weight on her back than just her backpack.
7. iCarly
iCarly is among the first shows to appear in the ‘Nickelodeon’ list on Paramount Plus, and is the first live-action show to appear. As of this writing, it is behind The Fairly OddParents but ahead of Dora the Explorer and Rugrats. Viacom is hyping up the revival a lot, giving viewers “sneak peaks” without showing footage. The fact they aren’t showing footage could be because they want to hold back new material for the premiere. However, it could also mean they’re apprehensive to share material they think viewers may not like. In other words, it’s best for Viacom for people to watch the iCarly premiere and dislike it instead of refusing to check it out at all because of a clip on YouTube. There are plenty of ways in which iCarly can go wrong. For example, not bringing back some fan-favorite characters and replacing them with new ones can erase some of the nostalgia. On the upside for iCarly, its 11.8 audience demand multiplier per Parrot Analytics is the fifth-highest on this list out of ten. There is definately demand for the show, but becoming a long-term success story will be harder to accomplish.
6. The Fairly OddParents
The Fairly OddParents has tried live-action before. In fact, multiple live-action television movies have become of the show starring well-known Nickelodeon stars. The big question here is if people will enjoy it as an ongoing TV series. There is no doubt in my mind that The Fairly OddParents still enjoys some popularity. Its audience demand multiplier of 8.0, while lower than most shows on this list, is competitive with those of fellow Nickelodeon shows Rugrats and Dora the Explorer. Additionally, it is high up on the ‘Nickelodeon’ list on Paramount Plus, being edged out only by PAW Patrol and two SpongeBob SquarePants properties. This live-action version needs to decide if it will tailor toward kids who did not grow up with the original series, or if it wants to be an updated version for older kids and viewers of the show from the 2000s decade. Its success likely depends entirely on the execution of the format.
5. Rugrats
Yes, four Nickelodeon shows in a row on this list. You may recall me ranking Rugrats as having a low chance of success in 2020, when the plan was for it to premiere on the cable network later that year. Rugrats was an iconic show when it aired. Premiering in 1991 on the night where Nickelodeon introduced their first-ever cartoons, Rugrats was a huge reason why the Nicktoons brand even got off the ground. These days, it seems the show has been forgotten about a bit. Despite what I thought earlier, this is actually something that could work out in its favor. Unlike the revivals of iCarly and The Fairly OddParents, those behind Rugrats don’t have to worry as much about making viewers of the original angry. Viacom is hoping the magic of Rugrats captivates a new generation. Based on the clips they’ve released, it doesn’t appear they’ve made major changes to the tone of the show, only having updated the animation. I’ve also noticed Rugrats steadily climbing up that ‘Nickelodeon’ list. Kids of today will be the ultimate deciders of if Rugrats succeeds or not, but the 8.9 audience demand multiplier and apparent increase in interest as of late are two signs that bode well for it.
4. Clarice
Clarice is a ginormous flop in Live + Same Day Adults 18-49 ratings. With that in mind, it’s no surprise CBS wanted nothing to do with it. Viacom seemed to think it had more potential on their streaming service than the broadcast network, opting to move the show from CBS to Paramount Plus. They have good reason to think this, as well. Co-creator Alex Kurtzman has been a co-producer on the Star Trek franchise for over a decade now, and the three Star Trek series are Paramount Plus’ most in-demand originals per Parrot Analytics. Clarice itself is holding its own; at a 12.9 audience demand multiplier, Clarice would be Paramount Plus’ #3 original, only behind Star Trek: Discover and Star Trek: Picard, but ahead of Star Trek: Lower Decks. It also has demand throughout the world. The audience demand multiplier is at least half that of the United States’ in nine different countries. The next-closest show on this list in that regard is at three. With the move to Paramount Plus, Clarice can bring in some subscribers from around the world at the same time that Viacom is looking to expand the streaming service’s reach. Given Viacom gets these benefits from Clarice without it taking up much-valued time on CBS, this is a winning situation for all sides.
3. Frasier
Frasier is the only revival in the near future for Paramount Plus that is a traditional sitcom made for adults both in its original run and its new incarnation. A spinoff of Cheers, Frasier was a mainstay on NBC’s lineup for 11 seasons. Given CBS has the distribution rights for the show, it’s only natural that the revival be placed on Paramount Plus instead of Peacock. Despite ending 17 years ago, Frasier maintains healthy demand, earning a 14.3 audience demand multiplier per Parrot Analytics. Given it’s the only comedy that will realistically appeal to an older audience, Paramount Plus will want to give Frasier a big promotional push. I am confident Frasier will be heavily sampled. While the overall success will depend on the quality, Paramount Plus is a place where Frasier can be given ample attention. I can easily see it doing well.
2. Criminal Minds
Criminal Minds has by far the highest audience demand multiplier on this list: 25.4. It aired 324 episodes over the course of 15 seasons, and had two (short-lived) spinoffs. Given it ended in 2020 with a proper conclusion, it can be surprising that it is already being brought back. This new version of Criminal Minds is said to be more serialized than the CBS version, meaning it is essentially tailored toward the traditional streaming audience. Taking a show that was meant to be watched weekly for 15 seasons and turning it into a show meant to be binged is a huge risk. I think it will likely pay off due to the simple fact that its audience demand is higher than the vast majority of shows still airing today, but there is still the chance that old viewers reject the new format.
1. SEAL Team
SEAL Team’s audience demand multiplier is nowhere near Criminal Minds’. However, a 16.2 is certainly impressive, as is the fact there are three countries where it receives at least half the demand as in the United States. It will have the most seamless transition to Paramount Plus of all these shows, as CBS will be airing the first few episodes in the fall. Additionally, it appears as though there will be no significant changes to the show, meaning it will appeal to those who are used to watching it on CBS. Moving SEAL Team to Paramount Plus is a great way to bring the streaming service more viewers while clearing up some space on CBS. I think the transition will be smooth, and there is no reason to believe it will flop. I’m betting on a big success story from SEAL Team.