Despite the fervent calls of many devotees for "The Bear" to unfold in weekly increments, an audience record was eagerly anticipating the streaming release when all ten episodes of Season 3 premiered on Hulu on June 26. Disney revealed that in its first four days, the FX on Hulu series' latest season had garnered a whopping 5.4 million viewers (Hulu calculates views by dividing total watch time by a show's complete runtime). This marked the largest scripted series premiere in Hulu's history, ranking as the third-largest of any kind on the streaming platform and the most significant FX on Hulu season premiere ever.
That impressive 5.4 million figure encompassed not only those tuning in on Hulu but also viewers utilizing bundled Disney+ with Hulu accounts in the US and standard Disney+ accounts in international markets (albeit, not all international markets had immediate access to the show). Unlike Season 2, Season 3 of "The Bear" enjoyed the added exposure of being available on Disney+ in the US, a move that Hulu attributed to a significant boost in viewership, though specific figures were not disclosed.
The numbers also indicate a continuous surge in popularity for the show. Compared to the four-day period following the release of Season 2, Season 3 of Christopher Storer's culinary drama witnessed a 24% increase in viewership. Season 2 itself had garnered 70% more viewers than Season 1.
Nielsen's audience figures for "The Bear" will be released a month after its July 25 debut. While fan enthusiasm remains undiminished, Season 3 has garnered a more moderate response from critics compared to the rave reviews that greeted Seasons 1 and 2. IndieWire's Ben Travers noted in his review, "I found myself shouting 'Let it rip!' numerous times during Season 3 of 'The Bear,' as crucial confrontations were protracted, and indecision seemed to infect both the characters and their story arcs. However, Carmy, who shines even brighter this season, serves as a timely reminder that confidence is often earned, not remembered. He doubles down at work with ease, having faced the pain and survived (as the scar on his hand testifies). But he's yet to fully grasp the benefits of a balanced life, allowing love in and nurturing it with time."
It's worth noting that "The Bear" has already been greenlit for a fourth season, with a portion of it reportedly filmed back-to-back with Season 3.
