Hulu Docs Chief Reveals Record-Breaking Viewership for ‘Captive Audience,’ Teases New Bombshell Series (EXCLUSIVE)

variety.com:

Matt Donnelly Senior Film WriterThe Hulu original unscripted series “Captive Audience” has lived up to its name, earning record-breaking viewership for the streamer.Hulu documentary chief Belisa Balaban told Variety exclusively that the show — which explores the harrowing kidnapping of 7-year-old Steven Stayner and its resulting media frenzy — has set a record for most-viewed nonfiction TV program in its first month of release.Launched on April 21, “Captive Audience” is also the second-most watched unscripted series in Hulu’s history.

Directed by Jessica Dimmock and produced by Wonderburst and Joe and Anthony Russo’s AGBO, the program is second only to “The Kardashians” in total viewership for its category. “This is really a huge credit to that team, whose bold creative choices and empathy brought it to life.

This project is a great example of what a Hulu true crime story is — not just the story of a family and what they’ve endured over the years, but the media’s obsession with true crime,” Balaban said of the series.

It’s one of several unscripted originals rolled out in the past months that have helped the division reach new heights since is 2016 inception.