[Finbel]

Always wondered why Rings of Power have 84% critics score but just 49% audience.

[prof-dr-ir]

One important factor is that the critics score is binary in a sense: if all critics agree that the movie was "passable but not great" then Rotten Tomatoes still gives it a 100% critics score.

The website explains it clearly enough I would say.

[moi2388]

Because critics get paid, whilst audience have to pay.

[dandellion]

I didn't like the idea that my money had paid for such a disservice of my favourite book, so it pushed me to cancel my Prime subscription that had been ongoing for years. I don't buy nearly as much on Amazon these days as a consequence.

[echelon_musk]

> Report says PR firm has been paying Rotten Tomatoes critics for positive reviews (screengeek.net) 254 points by mc32 on Sept 7, 2023

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=37419427

[pauke]

Critics often score based on first few episodes to be released in, and never revisit the score. And if it's shiny/ expensive (and RoP was both) and seems like it might lead somewhere, they risk ridiculing themselves by being too critical.