The remake of a classic ’80s legal show that managed to earn a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes is now a streaming hit, apparently earning its place via Main video. In recent years, there have been a handful of remakes of classic TV shows reimagined for a more modern audience. This includes NBC’s now-canceled Quantum Leapa remake of the 1989 series and a trilogy of programs made by Peter M. Lenkov, these being remakes of Hawaii Five-0, MacGyver, and Magnum PI These remakes managed to find varying levels of success as they were released.
The level of success these shows have enjoyed also depends on where they are being watched. Many of these remakes are on TV channels which means they stream the next day on services like Paramount+ or Peacock. Due to the ease of access that streaming allows, it offers a new metric of success for these programs. This also means that some reboots could unexpectedly rise to the top, not just through traditional ratings night, but also through the services they’re available to watch on.
Kathy Bates’ Matlock Remake Became a Massive Streaming Hit
The reimagining airs on CBS
A recent remake is from CBS Matlocka reimagined version of the 1986 legal drama of the same name. The series stars Kathy Bates as Madeline Kingston, a retired lawyer who, under the alias Madeline Matlock, joins the law firm of Jacobson Moore. She aims to gain their trust to discover which team member hid evidence that could have saved her daughter Ellie from dying from opiate addiction. Matlock season 2 has already been announced and the show holds a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, averaging around 6.5 million live viewers per episode starting with episode 4.
However, according to ReelBom and your UpNext metrics, Matlock it also became a streaming hit, becoming the ninth most-watched TV show across all platforms for the week of October 24-30, 2024. Interestingly, the show is a hit on Prime Video, which could indicate that most viewers are purchasing episodes or watching via Paramount+ via the streaming platform. Whatever the case, it seems that the characters in Matlock coupled with a unique story gave the show everything it needs to become a streaming hit.
Our take on Matlock becoming a streaming hit
It makes more sense why it was renewed for season two so quickly
Given how quickly the legal drama was renewed, it makes sense that it’s earning big numbers not just on live TV, but also across streaming platforms. It’s no doubt helped by having an entirely different premise to the original, which exists in-universe as the inspiration for Madeline’s alias. Because it’s still early MatlockIn the story of, the show will no doubt provide plenty of interesting twists that could see continued – or greater – success on streaming.
New episodes of Matlock airs Thursdays at 9pm ET on CBS.
Source: ReelBom