According to Sensor Tower, mobile viewership of Netflix in the United States surged by 35% during the extended preview of Grand Theft Auto 6

Screenshot from Grand Theft Auto 6. Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos sit in a red convertible with the top down, driving on a sunny day with a tropical landscape visible in the background. Lucia in the passenger seat holds a handgun.

Image credit: Rockstar Games

Viewership on Netflix US from mobile devices surged by 35% hour-over-hour during the lengthy preview of Grand Theft Auto 6, based on insights from Sensor Tower.

According to GamesBeat, the number of users accessing Netflix via the mobile app climbed by 50% compared to typical rates for the same time over the past dozen Thursdays.

Web-based traffic more than doubled, increasing by 125% above usual figures, and this spike reportedly led to streaming disruptions on the platform. Furthermore, Twitch, where streamers responded to the preview, also experienced technical difficulties an hour post-launch.

Sensor Tower also revealed pre-orders for the game reached 4.6 million, with 77% of customers opting for the PlayStation 5 version, the platform on which the preview was recorded.

Sensor Tower senior insights analyst Abe Yousef mentioned that using major events linked to distinguished intellectual properties has broadened Netflix's reach as a comprehensive entertainment provider.

“By associating with the release of an eagerly awaited console game, Netflix is fostering renewed interest from former viewers and attracting new subscribers,” Yousef added.

In advance of the release, confidential gameplay and details were leaked by a hacker group, prompting Take-Two Interactive, the parent company of Rockstar, to file legal actions against Microsoft, Discord, and X as part of its inquiry.

Following the leaks, Rockstar expressed its dismay, noting the breach was "heartbreaking" for its developers and not the intended method for revealing the game to the public.

"We apologize for the extended timeline – from nearing completion to sharing more information and official gameplay, as well as addressing community inquiries."