As “It: Welcome to Derry” airs weekly on HBO on Sunday nights, new data from Parrot Analytics shows how valuable Stephen King’s work has been to streaming and why the latest addition is shaping up to be a huge success.
A week before its premiere, “Welcome to Derry” was already generating higher preview audience demand in the United States than any other King-based television adaptation in recent years. The most recent small-screen adaptation of a Stephen King story, MGM+’s “The Institute,” averaged 21.4 times the average demand for a series in its first 30 days. Preview demand for “Welcome to Derry” already exceeded this demand even before its premiere.
This level of anticipation suggests that HBO could have another genre juggernaut on its hands, and is borne out by HBO viewership data which revealed the premiere episode to be the third most-watched series in HBO Max history.
“Welcome to Derry” returns to the small-town Maine mythology that fueled King’s most successful works, blending nostalgia and fear in a way that continues to resonate through generations of viewers. The show’s early successes underscore how traditional intellectual property, when combined with premium storytelling and brand consistency, remains one of the most reliable audience engagement drivers in the streaming era.
But the value of King’s universe is much more concrete than simple fan enthusiasm. Streaming Economics data from Parrot Analytics, which quantifies streaming revenue attributable to specific titles across major global platforms, reveals that Stephen King adaptations have collectively generated more than $650 million in streaming revenue since 2020.
Surprisingly, the highest-earning King adaptation isn’t one of the many iconic films like “The Shawshank Redemption” or “The Shining,” but rather Hulu’s “Castle Rock.” That show, which ended in 2019, generated nearly $58 million in subscription revenue worldwide. This total exceeds any other King title, film or series since 2020. This series’ setting in small-town Maine and its ability to connect stories across the King multiverse are characteristics it shares with “Welcome to Derry.”
Recognizable library hits like “The Shawshank Redemption” and “The Green Mile” continue to be among the biggest earners in King’s oeuvre and serve as proof that, even decades after their release, quality content continues to attract and retain subscribers.
This long tail effect shows why King’s catalog remains such a valuable asset for streamers. Unlike the fleeting buzz of many modern originals, King adaptations generate consistent engagement and revenue years after their debut. For platforms that balance the high costs of new production with the enduring value of proven intellectual property, this reliability is important.
“Welcome to Derry” could continue this trend and perhaps redefine it. Positioned as both a prequel to “It” and a standalone psychological horror series, the series benefits from Warner Bros.’ global reach. Discovery and the prestige of the HBO creative ecosystem. If initial demand is any indication, the series is not only poised for strong performance at launch, but it also has the potential to become a title that offers long-term value.
The world of Stephen King continues to thrive creatively, culturally and financially. Few author universes have proven as enduring or as valuable in the streaming age.
