Even Netflix can't believe it: the extraordinary viewing figures of Fauda

The fifth season of "Fauda" recorded the most successful premiere week in the series' history on Netflix, with 2.1 million views and 15.9 million viewing hours in its first week. The series climbed to first place in Lebanon and entered the top ten in additional Arab countries, alongside criticism on social media over a one-sided narrative.

The fifth season of the Israeli action series "Fauda" recorded the most successful premiere week in its history on Netflix. According to official data from the streaming giant, published in The Hollywood Reporter magazine, the new season reached 2.1 million views worldwide in its first broadcast week, translating to 15.9 million viewing hours. This is a new record for the series on the platform, after the fourth season peaked at seventh place in January 2023. The series ranked among the top ten content in 41 different countries, mainly in Europe and Asia. A particularly surprising figure is that the fifth season climbed to first place in Netflix's viewing chart in Lebanon, and entered the top ten in additional Muslim and Arab countries, including Jordan (4th place), the United Arab Emirates and Qatar (5th place), Oman (7th place), and Kuwait (9th place). Entertainment magazines in Europe described the season as a "turbulent and emotionally draining experience," and praised the creators' audacity in touching an open wound. Alongside the ratings data, harsh criticism is heard on social media from viewers and cultural critics from the Arab world, who claim that the series presents a one-sided and biased narrative that distorts the Palestinian struggle.