Grand Theft Auto 6 preview signals blockbuster demand, analysts say

GTA VI website displayed on a screen and PlayStation DualSense controller are seen in this illustration photo taken in Krakow, Poland on July 1, 2026. Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty ImagesStreaming platforms struggled to handle huge viewer demand for the first official preview of the upcoming Grand Theft Auto 6 on Thursday, sending shares of Take-Two, the game maker's parent company, higher in premarket. In a rare move, Netflix was first to show an extended look at the game. Some viewers had to refresh the page after receiving error messages, indicating high usage levels. "Some members briefly experienced an issue accessing Netflix, but we quickly recovered," the company told CNBC. Game streaming platform Twitch, where many viewers were posting their reactions, also experienced bandwidth issues when the trailer was released, according to analysts at Wells Fargo. An assessment of player reactions was "largely positive," the analysts added.The sixth instalment in the franchise is due to launch on Nov. 19 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, and is riding expectations that it could rival its predecessor — released 13 years ago — as one of the most profitable entertainment products of a...