How did The Office become the most-streamed show in America years after it ended?

The answer

The Office (US), which aired on NBC from March 24, 2005, to May 16, 2013, became the most-streamed show in America during its time on Netflix, accumulating 57.13 billion minutes viewed in 2020 alone - more than any other title on any platform. This was seven years after the series finale. The show's success in streaming is attributed to its 'comfort watch' appeal, short episode length (22 minutes), and quotability on social media, particularly among millennials and Gen Z who discovered it after its original run. NBCUniversal recognized its value and paid approximately $500 million to move The Office exclusively to its Peacock streaming service in January 2021 - making it the platform's biggest draw. The migration was so significant that Netflix reportedly offered $300–$500 million to keep it.