Netflix’s latest live comedy event delivered exactly what the streamer was hoping for. “The Roast of Kevin Hart” hit 13.5 million views on Netflix during the May 11-17 viewing window, making it the streamer’s most-watched TV title of the week.
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The Headline Numbers
The numbers confirm two things at once: the celebrity-roast format remains one of Netflix’s most reliable live programming bets, and Kevin Hart has the cross-platform pull to drive event-level viewership.
Netflix Inc.’s The Roast of Kevin Hart drew 13.5 million viewers in the week of May 11, suggesting the format of comedians skewering other celebrities on live television is still a successful one. The program, which aired on May 10, was the No. 1 most-viewed show on the English TV list, Netflix said in a statement Tuesday. Shane Gillis played host to the proceedings, which streamed live from the Kia Forum in Inglewood as part of the streamer’s Netflix Is a Joke Fest.
Viewership Snapshot
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Views (Week 1) | 13.5 million |
| Tracking Window | May 11–17, 2026 |
| Netflix English TV Chart | No. 1 |
| Premiere Date | May 10, 2026 |
| Venue | Kia Forum, Inglewood, California |
| Format | Live stream |
| Host | Shane Gillis |
How It Compares To The Tom Brady Roast
The natural benchmark is Netflix’s first big roast experiment. The roast, which was livestreamed during the third-ever Netflix Is a Joke Festival, reached a slightly smaller audience than that of Tom Brady in 2024. “The Roast of Tom Brady” debuted with 2 million views in one night before reaching 13.8 million views in its first full week of streaming.
There’s an important nuance about how each roast was tracked. The Hart roast premiered on the last day of the May 4-10 viewing window and wasn’t widely watched enough that night to make the Netflix Top 10. However, it should be noted that the No. 10 title on last week’s chart scored 2.1 million views, meaning that even if premiere night viewership of the Hart roast matched Brady’s exactly, it wouldn’t have charted. Regardless, when considering a full week of viewership for both roasts, Hart’s represented a 2% decrease from Brady’s.
Looked at cumulatively, the gap widens slightly. When you look at the cumulative totals, the GOAT actually retains the crown: Brady sat at a hefty 15.8 million views by the end of his first full week, meaning Hart is currently trailing him by at least a million views. Even so, it’s an incredibly strong turnout that proves these star-studded live comedy roasts are a highly bankable format for Netflix.
Roast vs. Roast
| Metric | Roast of Kevin Hart (2026) | Roast of Tom Brady (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| First Full Week Views | 13.5M | 13.8M |
| Premiere Night | Did not chart | 2M views (1 night) |
| Cumulative By End Of First Full Week | ~13.5M | 15.8M |
| Host | Shane Gillis | Kevin Hart |
The Lineup That Drew The Crowd
The roast’s star power was a major reason audiences showed up. The special put the actor and comedian in the hot seat as Sheryl Underwood, Chelsea Handler, Jeff Ross, Pete Davidson, Draymond Green, Tony Hinchcliffe, Regina Hall and more turned the heat on his career and legacy. The special also featured appearances from Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Teyana Taylor, Tom Brady, Lizzo, Venus and Serena Williams and Katt Williams.
One of the most-discussed moments came from a long-running comedy feud. Hart’s roast included a surprise appearance by his frenemy, Katt Williams, as the two comics seemingly ended their feud after years of trading insults.
There was also a symmetry with the previous roast: Brady joined the fun on stage last Sunday, but left after delivering a few comedic jabs. Hart hosted the 2024 roast. This time it was the Ride Along star who felt the burn in the hot seat.
Roaster Lineup At A Glance
| Category | Names |
|---|---|
| Comedians | Sheryl Underwood, Chelsea Handler, Jeff Ross, Pete Davidson, Tony Hinchcliffe, Regina Hall, Katt Williams |
| Athletes | Draymond Green, Tom Brady, Venus and Serena Williams |
| Other Stars | Dwayne Johnson, Teyana Taylor, Lizzo |
| Host | Shane Gillis |
Why The 13.5M Number Matters For Netflix
Netflix has been gradually building a live programming pipeline, and roasts are emerging as one of the format’s most reliable wins. Netflix keeps pushing further into live programming, and The Roast of Kevin Hart just handed the platform its strongest argument yet. Audiences showed up exactly the way Netflix hoped, proving there is still a massive appetite for event television that feels raw, unpredictable, and important.
The number also stands out against the rest of the chart that week. And though Hart dominated the TV list, Courtney A. Kemp’s new drama series “Nemesis” debuted at No. 3 with 7.1 million views. In other words, Hart’s roast nearly doubled the next-biggest new TV title on Netflix that week.
It also reinforces a key insight about Netflix’s strategy: an aftershow life on demand can dwarf the live broadcast. The roast didn’t even land on the prior week’s Top 10 from its single premiere night, then exploded to 13.5M as catch-up viewing piled up over seven days.
What Comes Next
Netflix has already begun monetizing the roast’s breakout moments beyond the special itself. Sheryl Underwood Lands Netflix Deal After Breakout Set at Kevin Hart Roast. That’s the deeper value of a successful roast: it doubles as a talent showcase that feeds the rest of Netflix’s comedy slate.
Expect Netflix to lean further into the format. With Brady setting the ceiling at 13.8M and Hart landing just below at 13.5M, the platform now has a repeatable template — A-list subject, big-room live stream, surprise celebrity drop-ins, and a long catch-up tail on demand.
Read More: Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano Fight Card Averages 12.4 Million Viewers on Netflix
FAQs
How Many Views Did The Kevin Hart Roast Get?
The Roast of Kevin Hart was a comedic hit, ranking No. 1 on Netflix’s English-language TV chart with 13.5 million views through May 17.
Did It Beat The Tom Brady Roast?
No. When considering a full week of viewership for both roasts, Hart’s represented a 2% decrease from Brady’s.
Who Hosted The Kevin Hart Roast?
The live-streamed special from the Kia Forum in Inglewood, Calif., put Hart on the hot seat, with Shane Gillis playing host to the proceedings.
When And Where Did It Stream?
It logged 13.5 million views in its first week of release — from May 10-17. The special streamed live from the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California on May 10, during the closing night of the 2026 Netflix Is a Joke Festival.
Who Were Some Of The Surprise Guests?
Surprise appearances from Dwayne Johnson, Tom Brady, Lizzo, Venus and Serena Williams, and Katt Williams added even more energy to the night.
