The Australian animated cartoon, Bluey, was the most streamed show in America in 2024, with 55.62 billion watched minutes. According to Nielsen, a global leader in audience insights, data, and analytics, the show was just shy of the all-time record of 57.7 billion minutes set by Suits in 2023. The Nielsen numbers convey a huge leap for Bluey, which never fell off the top ten in streaming charts and announced a full-length movie lined up to hit theaters in 2027.
Bluey’s success skyrocketed due to its ability to reach both kids and adults. Bluey never talks down to its audience, and it always has a purpose that is meaningful and feasibly digestible for viewers of all ages. The show’s vibrant colors and diverse soundtrack are guaranteed to entertain kids, but the deeper levels of the content have even adults celebrating new Bluey episode releases. There are many reasons why it’s so popular among many demographics and why it’s earned its rightful place among the best TV shows of 2024.
Bluey’s sense of humor is intelligent and hilarious. So much of modern children’s television can come across as annoying, especially to adults, because it talks down to its audience or because the content is shallow and lifeless. Bluey, however, is genuinely funny. It makes many winks to adults about funny human experiences, and it doesn’t pander to the viewers. Some of these jokes may fly over the heads of kids, but they’ll land perfectly with the adult audience.
Bluey doesn’t shy away from real-world problems either. It showcases many issues that can be common for adults and children, such as parents not knowing all the answers when it comes to parenting and having to say goodbye to someone you love. These examples convey a message that many people need to hear or find comfort in. Bluey makes it clear that it’s okay to not have all the answers when it comes to parenting and that sometimes special people will leave, but that’s okay, and the time you spent with them can help you grow as a person.
Most importantly, Bluey’s characters aren’t perfect. The show portrays realistic human interactions, relationships, and experiences. In season one, episode “Verandah Santa,” the star of the show herself, Bluey, gets frustrated when her cousin bites her and purposely excludes her from any games the kids are playing. This shows a realistic reaction to how a six-year-old may handle such a situation, which is important for the viewers. You and the people around you can get angry, upset, sad, or frustrated, and that’s okay. Real people feel real emotions, and Bluey teaches how to handle these emotions when they occur.
Though it might seem like just a silly cartoon about a family of dogs, Bluey truly holds deep and emotional meanings. It’s become a comfort show for people of all ages across the globe, and it’s rightfully claimed its spot as the most streamed show in America in 2024.