Netflix's Star Search Reboot Struggles in Debut: Low Ratings and Missing Top 10

1 week ago 12

Image via Netflix

Published Jan 29, 2026, 2:56 PM EST

Britta DeVore is a Senior Author for Collider who has been known to dabble with Reality News as well.

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When she isn't sitting behind her laptop bringing readers her hot takes on upcoming projects or keeping the dream alive in the Senior News team, Britta can usually be found outside hiking or inside behind her drum set. She currently plays in two bands, Kid Midnight and Watergate, both based in Brooklyn. An obsessive traveler, Britta loves long road trips to the South West and has a soft spot in her heart for canyons, rivers, and forests.

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Despite the massive star power behind it, the stars aren’t aligning for Netflix’s latest reality series. A recent report revealed that during its first two episodes, the streamer’s reboot of Star Search has been a massive miss with fans. During its debut installments, the competition program raked in less than 2.3 million views and failed to make it onto Netflix’s global top 10 charts over its one-week on air. Despite being the new kid on the block, Star Search couldn’t crack the sought-after ranking system, which currently holds favorites, including His & Hers, Finding Her Edge, and Stranger Things.

On paper, it appeared that Netflix had yet another hit on its hands after it was revealed that the platform would be resurrecting the show that paved the groundwork for modern favorites like America’s Got Talent, American Idol, and more. Not only did it boast the nostalgic draw that so many viewers look for, but it also promised a stacked list of judges that includes Sarah Michelle Gellar, Chrissy Teigen, and Jelly Roll, with Anthony Anderson hosting. Still, it’s early days for the program, which will now run for the next several weeks, with new episodes dropping every Tuesday and Wednesday. Like other shows of the same caliber on the major networks, Star Search is aimed at a live viewing audience, allowing at-home viewers to make their voices heard by voting on their remote controls or phones from the comfort of their own couches.

Star Search’s difficulty getting up and running comes as a surprise to those who have previously tuned in for the streamer’s long list of other live events. Sports have been particularly successful for Netflix, with weekly live showings of WWE Raw raking in impressive viewership numbers from one week to the next. Additionally, Free Solo’s Alex Honnold captivated audiences all over again just last week when he scaled Taipei 101, clocking in 6.2 million views for the platform and earning third place on the top 10 chart.

Who’s Behind ‘Star Search’?

Those who grew up in the 80s and 90s will undoubtedly remember the original series, which featured Ed McMahon as the emcee. The series was the jumping-off platform for numerous (at the time) young stars, including Billy Porter, Alanis Morissette, Britney Spears, Destiny’s Child, Sinbad, Usher, Kevin James, and more. Bringing the competition back to center stage, Empire alum, Taraji P. Henson is behind the new version after pairing up with Village Roadshow. Henson executive produces alongside Steve Mosko.