Marvel Studios launched the latest chapter of the MCU this month with the premiere of Ms. Marvel, but despite being a hit with critics, the series hasn’t quite managed to match the performance of Marvel’s previous Disney+ shows.
According to Samba TV, 775,000 US households tuned in to the first episode of Kamala Khan’s (Iman Vellani) series in the five days following its premiere, which is just over a shade above half that of the 1.5 million who turned out for the first episode of Hawkeye.
Loki currently leads the pack as Marvel’s biggest series launch with 2.5 million viewers, followed by The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and Moon Knight on 1.8 million, and WandaVision on 1.6 million.
So, what’s the reason for the drop off? Well, the show lacks the star power of an Avenger, focusses on a relatively new character with an unknown lead, has been marketed more towards children with its PG rating (an MCU first), and it’s also competing with fellow Disney+ series Star Wars: Obi Wan Kenobi.
While the numbers may not make for great reading stacked alongside the other shows, it’s also worth noting that the show did prove popular with the ‘GenZ’ demographic, with Samba TV stating that: “Viewers age 20-24 watched at the highest rate of any MCU show, and it drew a more diverse audience with Black, Hispanic and Asian households watching at a higher rate.”
SEE ALSO: Read our Ms. Marvel review here
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“Ms. Marvel,” introduces Kamala Khan—a 16-year-old Pakistani-American growing up in Jersey City. A great student, an avid gamer and a voracious fan-fiction scribe, she has a special affinity for superheroes, particularly Captain Marvel. But Kamala struggles to fit in at home and at school—that is, until she gets super powers like the heroes she’s always looked up to. Life is easier with super powers, right?
Ms. Marvel sees Iman Vellani starring alongside Aramis Knight, Saagar Shaikh, Rish Shah, Zenobia Shroff, Mohan Kapur, Matt Lintz, Yasmeen Fletcher, Laith Naki, Azher Usman, Travina Springer, Nimra Bucha, Laurel Marsden, Anjali Bhimani, Farhan Akhtar and Arian Moayed.
Ms. Marvel airs on Disney+ on Wednesdays.