The White Lotus Season 3 premieres with 2.4 million viewers—Here’s why

Disclaimer: Author's opinion on The White Lotus Season 3 ahead.

The highly awaited The White Lotus Season 3 had an amazing start, with 2.4 million people in the U.S. tuning in for the first night. This is a huge jump from season 2's start, which had 1.5 million viewers, and a massive 155% increase from the first season's 944,000 viewers.

HBO is understandably happy with these numbers. This success also shows how good HBO is at making high-quality, evolved TV shows that the modern audience loves to watch. The White Lotus is special because each season tells a new story with different characters, and it keeps getting better.

Francesca Orsi, HBO’s Head of Drama, talked to Deadline about how season 3 was their most ambitious project yet:

“Each season always has something to say, but there’s a profound quality about this season that feels unlike anything else he’s [creator Mike White] explored.”

The White Lotus has gained a lot of praise, earning a 93% critics rating and a 98% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

With a fresh setting in Thailand, a new group of actors, and topics like life's meaning, the show has grown beyond just satire.

So, what has made The White Lotus Season 3 so successful right away?

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Why The White Lotus Season 3’s premiere ratings soared

HBO’s strategic marketing and cultural relevance

HBO went all out for the Season 3 premiere of The White Lotus, throwing a fancy Thailand-inspired event, as reported by Deadline. This celebration not only showed off the show’s luxurious vibe but also honored local businesses affected by recent fires. This got people talking about it on social media.

Season 2 had an average of 15.5 million viewers, and season 1 ended up with 9.3 million. HBO thought season 3 would keep growing and it did. In just 36 hours after the first episode, 4.6 million people in the US watched it, which is way more than season 2's start, according to reports.

This season of The White Lotus is interesting because it talks about important things like buying too much stuff, questioning life, and being too lucky in a way that makes people think and want to talk. It's not just a show to watch, it's something that makes you think about the world we live in.

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A darker, more unsettling hook

Season 3 is a departure from what we're used to. It's a big step into darker territory, and it's had a powerful impact on viewers. Whether you love or hate the change, you can't ignore it.

Paul Tassi of Forbes described the premiere as:

“The weirdest vibes the series has ever seen.”

The character Saxon Ratliff, played by Patrick Schwarzenegger, took center stage in the first episode, with some insanely twisted family relationships.

Unlike earlier seasons, this one's tone is quite different. It's more about making you feel uncomfortable than making you laugh. That's a big deal in today's world of streaming TV, where everyone's looking for something to talk about. It offers both controversy and engagement, making it a major talking point.

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Season 3 is only availale on HBO and Max, with new episodes each week.