‘The Bear’ Season 3 Premiere Draws 5.4 Million Viewers — the Most Ever for an FX Show on Hulu
Christian Zilko
Even as many fans continue to call for “The Bear” to be released in weekly installments, a record-setting audience was ready to stream the FX show when all 10 episodes of Season 3 dropped on Hulu on June 26.
According to Disney, the debut episode for the new season was streamed by 5.4 million viewers (Hulu calculates views by dividing the total time a show was watched by its complete runtime) in its first four days. It’s the largest premiere of a scripted series in Hulu history, the third largest premiere of any kind on the streaming service, and the biggest FX on Hulu season premiere ever.
That 5.4 million number includes people watching Episode 301 on Hulu and via bundled Disney+ with Hulu accounts in the United States, as well as regular Disney+ accounts in international markets (the show is not available in all international markets right away). Season 2 of “The Bear” did not have the luxury of also being on Disney+ in the U.S. Hulu says being across platforms gave Season 3 a significant boost but did not share specific figures.
The numbers also show another consecutive season of ratings growth for the show. Season 3 of Christopher Storer’s culinary drama was up 24 percent in viewership compared to the same four-day period after Season 2 — which drew 70 percent more viewers than Season 1 — was released.
Nielsen won’t release viewership numbers for “The Bear” until a month after its debut on July 25.
Even as fan interest remains strong, “The Bear” Season 3 has received a more measured response from critics compared to the glowing reviews that accompanied Seasons 1 and 2.
“I can’t tell you how many times I shouted, ‘Let it rip!’ at various characters in ‘The Bear’ Season 3, as crucial confrontations were delayed and indecision bled from characters to those shaping their arcs,” IndieWire’s Ben Travers wrote in his review of the new season. “But Carmy — who feels even more prominent this season — is a good reminder why confidence is often only able to be earned, rather than remembered. It’s easier for him to double down at work because he’s done it before. He’s lived with that pain, and he’s survived (as the scar on his hand reminds him). But he doesn’t fully understand the benefits of a well-rounded life, of letting love in and taking the time needed to nourish it.”
“The Bear” has already been renewed for a fourth season, a portion of which reportedly filmed back-to-back with Season 3.
