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'Lanterns' Finale Hits Series-Best 10.5 Million Viewers
By @sharedot · · 6 pages
- Television
- Lanterns
- Hbo
- Ratings
HBO's 'Lanterns' season finale drew a series-best 10.5 million global viewers in three days, reports say, as a Season 2 renewal remains pending.
A record finale for HBO's cosmic cops
The season finale of HBO's 'Lanterns,' which debuted October 4, attracted 10.5 million global viewers in its first three days of cross-platform availability on HBO and HBO Max — a new series high, according to Deadline and TheWrap, citing Nielsen and internal Warner Bros. Discovery data. TheWrap reports the episode drew 7.2 million U.S. viewers, up 9% from the premiere's 6.6 million, while global viewership rose 13% from the 9.3 million who watched the August debut. Deadline notes the finale was up 13% globally compared to the series premiere in L3 viewing.
Why the trajectory stands out
What makes the numbers notable is that 'Lanterns' kept growing across its eight-episode run rather than fading. TheWrap reports the penultimate Episode 7 tallied 7 million U.S. viewers in three days, and that the series premiere's audience is now approaching 30 million globally — roughly double its first-week total. Deadline adds that the season is averaging 19.3 million global viewers and growing, keeping the DC Studios and Warner Bros. Television show among the top five HBO series launches in platform history. AOL also reports the finale, titled 'Dirt and Stars,' set the show's viewership record, crediting Deadline for the figures.
Bigger tentpoles, for comparison
When 'Lanterns' launched in August, Deadline reported that its 9.3 million global three-day debut outperformed the premieres of several HBO tentpoles, including 'IT: Welcome to Derry,' 'The Penguin' and 'True Detective: Night Country.' Those series went on to average 27.1 million, 19.8 million and 17.5 million global viewers respectively — a trajectory that already suggested 'Lanterns' could climb to similar heights, and the finale's record audience now supports that case. TheWrap separately notes HBO's 'War' drama has drawn more than 2 million U.S. viewers to date.
Season 2 is pending — and the universe expands
Despite the record finish, HBO has not yet renewed 'Lanterns' for a second season; Deadline reports a renewal is understood to be pending, and TheWrap confirms no Season 2 has been ordered. The finale's momentum could hardly come at a better moment for that decision. TheWrap reports the episode sets up Aaron Pierre's John Stewart to appear in the 'Superman' sequel 'Man of Tomorrow,' slated for theaters in summer 2027. The series, from co-creators Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof and Tom King, stars Pierre alongside Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan, two intergalactic cops drawn into an earth-based murder mystery with cosmic ties.