Social Wit List: March 2017

In March, of all the new programs that launched globally, Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why stirred up the most buzz on social media, according to The WIT.

In the ranking of the top ten most-buzzed-about new shows on social media last month, 13 Reasons Why came out on top, with around 178,000 comments on Facebook and Twitter. The drama is based on the New York Times best-selling YA book by Jay Asher, executive produced by Selena Gomez, that explores why a high-school student committed suicide. There was much #Anticipation coming from the #GratefulFans who were tweeting about the #EmotionalRollerCoaster that many thought was #EvenBetterThantheNovel.

Le Olimpiadi della Tv – Speciale Uomini e Donne on Canale 5 in Italy saw around 96,000 tweets. The entertainment show in which unforgettable participants from the dating series Uomini e Donne compete in challenges inspired by television programs also broadcast on the channel had social media talking about its #ConfusingPremise. Some were tweeting that it was a #TrashyFormatMix and others found it to be a #GuiltyPleasure that viewers #LovetoHate.

Netflix’s release of Marvel’s Iron Fist generated around 84,000 comments. The sci-fi series focuses on the Marvel hero Iron Fist, a.k.a. billionaire Danny Rand, who returns to New York City after being missing for years and tries to reconnect with his past and his family legacy. There were #DividedReviews from viewers, with some noting the #BadWriting and that it was #TooSlow while others thought it was #NotSoBad and had #InterestingCharacters.

The debut of Rio Ferdinand: Being Mum and Dad on BBC One in the U.K. led to some 70,000 tweets. The documentary sees former professional footballer Rio Ferdinand go on an intensely personal journey after the death of his wife Rebecca, and explores how bereaved parents attempt to come to terms with loss. Social media was buzzing about the #SadStory that was also #Inspiring: #RioMyHero.

Around 66,000 comments were made around the launch of Tu cara no me suena todavía on Antena 3 in Spain. It is a new spin-off of the format Tu cara me suena (Your Face Sounds Familiar), this time featuring ordinary contestants. There were some #MixedOpinionsonCoachChenoa but overall many viewers thought the program was #TalentFilled, #Entertaining and #Emotional.

NBC debuted Chicago Justice, the new installment in the Dick Wolf franchise, following the State’s Attorney and his dedicated team of prosecutors, with a three-hour Chicago crossover event. Around 63,000 social-media comments were made about the premiere of the #GreatCrossover, with nods for the #ExcellentWriting and #KudosToTheCast.

France’s C8 aired Présidentielle : candidats au tableau ! (Facing the Classroom), which generated some 56,000 tweets. The political factual-entertainment program followed as children aged 8 to 12 asked questions of the candidates in the French Presidential race. Many commenting on social media found the program to be #EyeOpening and a #FreshConcept, with some saying that #KidsAreTooSmart and that the setup seemed to be #Staged.

The launch of TIME: The Kalief Browder Story on Spike TV in the U.S. had around 47,000 comments. The documentary series tells the story of Kalief Browder, a young African-American student who committed suicide after spending three years on Rikers Island without ever being convicted of a crime. The reviews on social media were that the story was #Crazy, #Tragic and #Sickening.

İsimsizler (Nameless Squad) debuted on Kanal D in Turkey, generating around 42,000 comments with its premiere episode. The political drama is focused on Fatih, a promising diplomat who is appointed governor of a Turkish province after tragic events. He is going to put himself in danger to defend his country. There were many #PatrioticTweets from #MilitaryFans honoring the #UnsungHeroes.

Shots Fired, which launched on FOX in the U.S., wraps up the list at number ten. The drama from Gina Prince-Bythewood and Reggie Rock Bythewood examines the dangerous aftermath of racially charged shootings in a small town in North Carolina. Around 29,000 tweets were sent about the debut and its #BoldNarrative, #Realistic premise, #EmotionalPower and #GreatCast.

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