The crime procedural Criminal Minds has claimed the top spot on the Apple TV store in the United States as of October 1. Even though the series has not released new content since its July 23 season 19 finale on Paramount+, it continues to outpace major competing titles.
From 2005 CBS roots to Paramount+ dominance
The series' journey from its 2005 debut on CBS to its current iteration as Criminal Minds: Evolution on Paramount+ illustrates a rare kind of staying power in a volatile media market. While other acclaimed crime dramas like Netflix's Mindhunter saw their momentum stall after only two seasons, Criminal Minds has successfully navigated a platform shift to maintain its relevance across nearly two decades. according to the report, the show currently holds a solid 82% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, a metric that underscores its enduring appeal to procedural fans who value character-driven investigations.
Having completed 19 seasons, the franchise has transitioned from a network staple to a streaming powerhouse. This longevity allows the show to maintain a massive library of content that continues to attract viewes long after the latest episode has aired.
Outperforming Yellowstone and South Park on the charts
Data from FlixPatrol indicates that the series has become a juggernaut on digital storefronts, even without fresh content. As of October 1,the show hit number one on the Apple TV store in the United States, surpassing heavyweights such as Yellowstone, South Park, Dexter, Mad Men, and Westworld. The report notes that the show has been trending on the Apple TV charts for 49 days, making it a statistical outlier in a market often dominated by brand-new releases .
This sustained presence suggests that the series' library is being heavily utilized by viewers seeking the comfort of familiar procedural formats. The ability to hold a top position for nearly seven weeks without new episodes is a significant achievement in the competitive VOD landscape.
A Season 20 renewal already secured in March
The commercial success of the series is reflected in its high global standing on streaming platforms. FlixPatrol currently ranks Criminal Minds as the 6th most-watched TV show on Paramount+ worldwide. This massive viewership performance validates the decision made by Paramount+ back in March to renew the series for a 20th season, a move that occurred several months before the season 19 finale dropped on July 23.
The show's ability to maintain such high numbers during a summer hiatus is a significant indicator of its value to the streamer. It demonstrates that the brand carries enough weight to drive revenue through video-on-demand sales independently of the primary streaming subscription model.
What the July 23 hiatus means for Season 20 momentum
While the show's current dominance is impressive , several questions remain regarding its long-term trajectory and the timing of its next chapter. The source does not specify a release date for the upcoming Season 20, leaving fans to wonder how long the current momentum can be sustained without new episodes to bridge the gap. Additionally, it remains to be seen if the "Evolution" branding will continue to drive such high VOD sales or if the audience will eventually migrate to newer crime thrillers like Netflix's The Chestnut Man.
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