Harry and Meghan: The Netflix series beats The Crown, viewership figures have revealed

Netflix viewership Harry & Megan have been uncovered.

According to independent ratings body Barb, the first episode of the all-encompassing royal docuseries was watched by 2.4 million people on TVs on launch day (December 8).

The number marks the largest single-day audience for a Netflix show since Barb began monitoring the streaming service in October.

Barb’s numbers only account for people watching the program on TVs — not those watching on phones, laptops, or other devices, which could total millions more.

The figure of 2.4 million is more than double that of the first episode The crown‘s last season peaked on day one (1.1 million).

Episode two of Harry & Megan attracted 1.5 million viewers and the third episode reached 800,000 viewers. More episodes will be released on Netflix on Thursday, December 15.

per barbel, Harry & Megan lagged well behind the most-watched programs of the day, BBC News at six (4.1 million) and subsequent regional news and ITVs Coronation Street (3.5 million).

In her review of Harry & Megan, The IndependentThe arts editor of , Jessie Thompson, wrote: “There are no big disclosures here, nothing so incendiary that it would cancel next year’s coronation of King Charles; In fact, certain quotes get a bit snotty.”

The series director spoke up afterwards Harry & Megan‘s release and said he hopes viewers will be “open” to the couple’s story, despite prejudice.

In the first three episodes, the Duchess of Sussex claimed that Buckingham Palace staff told her not to invite her niece to her own royal wedding.

She also opened up about warmer memories of her time in the royal family, including her “amazing” first Christmas.

Harry & Megan is now available to stream on Netflix.