According to Sensor Tower, Netflix experienced a 35% increase in mobile viewership in the United States 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

The preview for Grand Theft Auto 6 led to a 35% increase in Netflix US mobile viewership, as detailed by Sensor Tower.

GamesBeat noted a 50% rise in mobile app users compared to the average from the past 12 Thursdays.

Web traffic soared by 125%, temporarily causing disruptions on the streaming service, with Twitch also facing outages an hour after the event.

According to Sensor Tower, pre-orders for GTA 6 reached 4.6 million, with 77% of these for the PlayStation 5.

Abe Yousef, a senior insights analyst at Sensor Tower, commented on how engaging with major IP events has expanded Netflix’s reach as an entertainment platform.

By associating with a much-anticipated console release, Netflix is translating high consumer interest into renewed engagement from past viewers and new subscriptions.

Before the preview, gameplay and details were leaked by a hacker group, prompting Take-Two Interactive to subpoena Microsoft, Discord, and X during its investigation.

Rockstar responded, expressing that the leaks were distressing for their team and unexpected.

"We apologize for the delays in completing the game, providing more official details, and sharing the gameplay," Rockstar stated.