Israelis Use Their Time in Quarantine to Binge-Watch Grey's Anatomy and Fauda

As tens of thousands of Israelis remain in quarantine, with many more staying at home at the government’s directive as the number of confirmed coronavirus (Covid-19) cases in the country continues to rise, at least one Israeli industry is seeing increased activity: television and cable services.

Israeli telecommunication company Cellcom Israel Ltd., cable TV provider Hot Telecommunication Systems Ltd., and satellite television company Yes have all reported an increase of approximately 50% in users for their video-on-demand services in March, compared to the month before.

According to Cellcom, which has more than 250,000 households subscribed to its media service, the most popular television shows this month were Outlander, The Outsider, The Good Fight, Young Sheldon, and All Rise. Its most popular movies in March were Long Shot, John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, A Star Is Born, First Man, and Mission: Impossible – Fallout.

Cellcom reported a 50% increase in television viewing during the morning and noon hours—which are normally its off-peak hours—over the past two weeks.

The most popular shows over the past two weeks on Hot were Friends, Grey's Anatomy, Swat, and My Brilliant Friend. Its most popular movies were Forgiveness, Joker, Gemini Man, Maleficent, and Terminator: Dark Fate.

Yes, with 600,000 households subscribed to its service, reported that This is Us, A Million Little Things, The Bone Collector, Grey’s Anatomy, and Israeli military drama Fauda, were the most commonly-watched shows on its service over the last 14 days.

On Netflix, the most popular shows in Israel as of Thursday are ToyBoy, Elite, 100 Humans, The Boss Baby: Back in Business, and Love is Blind.