GTA 6 Netflix preview causes PlayStation and Xbox hardware sales to jump in the UK

Following the Grand Theft Auto 6 preview on Netflix last week, sales of PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles in the UK soared, according to Nielsen IQ data. PlayStation 5 sales surged by 33%, while Xbox console sales rose by 34%. PS5 Pro consoles are selling out across the nation, with retailers like Argos and Smyths Toys now only stocking base models.

Despite this significant increase in pre-orders ahead of GTA 6's November launch, alongside Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 in October, analyst Ronan Patrick from Newzoo predicts a noticeable rise in the installed user base, but not a massive surge.

Patrick points out that the PS5 is 67% pricier in inflation-adjusted terms compared to its launch price, and Xbox is twice as expensive. He emphasizes that the bulk of gaming time is often spent on older titles, and the most comparable hardware shock happened during the 2020-2021 GPU shortage. During that period, engagement and revenue weren't disrupted; instead, consumers reallocated their spending towards software.

According to VGC, UK hardware sales have decreased by 14.4% year-on-year, primarily attributed to a 32% decline in PS5 sales. Xbox Series X|S sales have risen by 3.1%. The highly anticipated GTA 6 preview was Netflix's most-watched title last week, garnering 31.1 million views in just four days. On YouTube, the preview received 22 million views in one week. Sensor Tower data reveals that Netflix's US mobile viewership surged by 35% hour-over-hour during the premiere.