Amazon’s $185M streaming BOMB: Spy series Citadel fails to garner chart in Nielsen rankings

Just over a month after Amazon debuted its pricey spy thriller series Citadel, the series has STILL failed to crack the Nielsen top 10.

The new series – which cost a reported $185 million and stars Priyanka Chopra and Richard Madden –  has already been renewed for a second season by Amazon.

Still, the seven-episode series earned middling reviews with a 54% rating on critic aggregator Rotten Tomatoes.

Nielsen’s streaming Top 10 for the week of May 8-14 was released on Thursday (via Variety), marking the third week in a row the show failed to crack the top 10.

The May 8-14 is the second full week the show has been available, though it debuted on April 28, with the first three days of availability included on the April 24-30 charts.

No top 10: Just over a month after Amazon debuted its pricey spy thriller series Citadel, the series has STILL failed to crack the Nielsen top 10

Top 10: Nielsen's streaming Top 10 for the week of May 8-14 was released on Thursday (via Variety ), marking the third week in a row the show failed to crack the top 10

Top 10: Nielsen’s streaming Top 10 for the week of May 8-14 was released on Thursday (via Variety ), marking the third week in a row the show failed to crack the top 10

Nielsen did note when releasing the April 24-30 chart that Citadel just barely missed out on the top 10 streaming originals chart, with 306 million viewing minutes.

The 10th show on the April 24-30 streaming originals chart was Netflix’s comedy special John Mulaney: Baby J, which garnered 379 million viewing minutes.

The series failed to crack the streaming originals Top 10 for both the May 1-7 chart and May 8-14 charts.

That being said, the show was expected to take a bit longer to crack the Top 10 since Amazon had reportedly prioritized the show’s marketing in international markets.

Amazon announced in late May that the show is enjoying, ‘breakout success in countries around the world, including India, Italy, Brazil, South Africa, the U.K., and the U.S.’

The streaming service also announced, ‘It is Prime Video’s second most-watched new original series outside the U.S., and fourth most-watched worldwide.’ 

Amazon has already set up several spin-offs of the show for India and Italy markets, though it’s noted that Nielsen only counts U.S. viewing minutes.

Still, the fact that Citadel has not cracked the Top 10 likely indicates the show has essentially failed to connect with American audiences. 

Missed: Nielsen did note when releasing the April 24-30 chart that Citadel just barely missed out on the top 10 streaming originals chart, with 306 million viewing minutes

Missed: Nielsen did note when releasing the April 24-30 chart that Citadel just barely missed out on the top 10 streaming originals chart, with 306 million viewing minutes

Failed: The series failed to crack the streaming originals Top 10 for both the May 1-7 chart and May 8-14 charts

Failed: The series failed to crack the streaming originals Top 10 for both the May 1-7 chart and May 8-14 charts

Success: Amazon announced in late May that the show is enjoying, 'breakout success in countries around the world, including India, Italy, Brazil, South Africa, the U.K., and the U.S'

Success: Amazon announced in late May that the show is enjoying, ‘breakout success in countries around the world, including India, Italy, Brazil, South Africa, the U.K., and the U.S’

American: Still, the fact that Citadel has not cracked the Top 10 likely indicates the show has essentially failed to connect with American audiences

American: Still, the fact that Citadel has not cracked the Top 10 likely indicates the show has essentially failed to connect with American audiences

Citadel follows an independent global spy agency that fell eight years ago, by operatives of Manticore.

With Citadel’s fall, elite agents Mason Kane (Richard Madden) and Nadia Sinh (Priyanka Chopra Jonas) had their memories wiped as they narrowly escaped with their lives. 

They’ve remained hidden ever since, building new lives under new identities, unaware of their pasts. Until one night, when Mason is tracked down by his former Citadel colleague, Bernard Orlick (Stanley Tucci), who desperately needs his help to prevent Manticore from establishing a new world order. 

Mason seeks out his former partner, Nadia, and the two spies embark on a mission that takes them around the world in an effort to stop Manticore, all while contending with a relationship built on secrets, lies, and a dangerous-yet-undying love.

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