Borat Sequel Drew 'Tens Of Millions' Of Viewers During Opening Weekend

Amazon Prime has said the new Borat sequel drew 'tens of millions' of viewers on the streaming service globally over its opening weekend.

According to Variety, Amazon would not divulge the exact figures, but said previous estimates had been wrong.

Initially, TV analytics provider Samba TV placed the US viewership at 1.6 million households over the film's opening weekend on smart TVs.

However, an Amazon spokeswoman told Variety that these numbers were incorrect - although declined to provide the company's own internal viewing numbers for the movie, simply saying 'tens of millions' tuned in during that period.

Amazon has also said that within the first few hours of its Borat watch party last Thursday night, more than one million fans tuned in for a live Q&A with Sacha Baron Cohen's titular character, and to participate in a worldwide dance party.

Amazon Studios

Jennifer Salke, Head of Amazon Studios, said in a statement:"Sacha has masterfully created one of the most well-received films of these unprecedented times - showcasing some of the best and the worst of us, wrapped in one outrageous moment after another.

"With the tremendous launch of this global, tentpole movie, it's clear our customers around the world want content that is both relevant and entertaining."

Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, the long-awaited sequel to the 2006 hit comedy, was released last week on Amazon Prime - and it's already proving to be more controversial than its predecessor.

Amazon Studios

Sacha Baron Cohen, who plays Borat, recently said in an interview that it was important the film was released before the US Presidential election on 3 November, between incumbent Donald Trump and Democrat nominee Joe Biden.

Speaking to the New York Times, he said: "We wanted it to be a reminder to women of who they're voting for - or who they're not voting for. If you're a woman and you don't vote against this guy, then know what you're doing for your gender."

One of the outrageous stunts Baron Cohen is involved in sees him wearing a fat suit as part of the Trump disguise he used to sneak into a Mike Pence rally earlier in the year.

Another contentious scene involves former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani being caught in a compromising situation with Borat's 15-year-old daughter, played by 24-year-old actor Maria Bakalova.

Topics: Entertainment, TV and Film, Amazon, Borat

Jess Hardiman

Jess is a journalist at LADbible who graduated from Manchester University with a degree in Film Studies, English Language and Linguistics - indecisiveness at its finest, right there. She also works for FOODbible and its sister page Seitanists, which are both a safe haven for her to channel a love for homemade pasta, fennel and everything else in between. You can contact Jess at [email protected].

@Jess_Hardiman