From Binge-Worthy to Barely There: Why Streaming Has Shrunken TV Seasons & Stretched Release Times

I remember not sleeping for several nights intensely watching the first 2 seasons of "Sherlock" and experiencing one of the most mind-blowing season finales in human history to panickingly Google when the third season was going to launch (because I just had to know!) only to find out I had to wait 4 years! I will not lie, I almost threw my laptop out of the window, but a thought calmed me down: the show was so well-crafted, complex, and elaborate that I didn't mind waiting. It is like they actually needed time to create something that good.

The TV industry has drastically changed over the past decade. We went from shows that boasted 20+ episodes per season, aired annually, and were released weekly, to shows offering 10 episodes or less with lengthy delays between seasons. Why did it happen?

Traditional TV Model

The traditional TV models had to satisfy viewers' entertainment needs while also filling all the run slots available. Producers needed fast results, more episodes, and more seasons. Networks like NBC, CBS, and ABC followed a consistent model for decades, where TV shows aired weekly and had around 20 to 24 episodes per season.

The result: the audience always had something to watch, but the production quality might have been questionable. Filming 12 pages a day, having pre-built, ordinary sets that circulate through not only seasons of the same show but sometimes even through different productions, and writers having to come up with an overwhelming amount of plot, characters, and backstories led to less interesting stories, sitcoms all resembling one another, and overall less production quality.

The question is, did the audience mind apparent CGI, sometimes mediocre acting, and continuity mistakes? I definitely didn't. This era gave us shows that have special places in our hearts, like "Friends", "Scrubs", and "How I Met Your Mother". 

The Streaming Revolution

However, the streaming revolution started an apparent change in not only the quality but also the quantity of TV shows. Streaming platforms, led by Netflix, disrupted the previous model by offering entire seasons at once for binge-watching. This shift redefined viewer expectations, as fans now consumed entire seasons in days instead of months. With no constraints on time slots or advertising, platforms could experiment with shorter seasons and unique release schedules.

This new era gave us TV shows with the quality of feature films. Costume design, sets, cinematography, acting — everything shaped up to result in an unforgettable viewing experience. The versatility of the series and the complexity of the stories made all of us watch them in awe. Today, there is a diversity of TV shows for any taste: "Stranger Things", "Bridgerton", "Only Murders in The Building", etc. — these are just a small taste of what you can find on streaming platforms.

Effect on the Audience

However, there is only one problem. Modern audiences expect higher production values, which means longer filming schedules and greater attention to detail. Shows like "Stranger Things", "The Mandalorian", and "House of The Dragon" require more post-production time due to their cinematic quality, leading to fewer episodes per season and increased wait times for new seasons. Today, to see what your favorite characters will do next, you must wait a couple of years… if you're lucky.  This, of course, has affected the way viewers perceive the content.

The downside of this is, long gaps between seasons can weaken audience engagement. Shows like "Westworld" and "Euphoria" have faced challenges retaining fan interest when delays stretch over 2 years. Shorter seasons may also limit a show's ability to explore its full potential. While longer seasons once allowed for slow-burning narratives and secondary plotlines, shorter seasons sometimes fail to sustain a series over multiple years, causing quicker cancellations.

Effect on the Production

With the new level of production value, the budgets are just getting higher and higher. And the higher the cost of the series, the smaller the portion of the revenue that this production will end up with. The competition between streaming platforms, however, only encourages studios to spend more time and money on filming a new season to surprise the audience and win new watchers. Shows like "House of the Dragon" and "The Mandalorian" exemplify this approach, with each episode treated like an event rather than just part of a weekly lineup.

The Future of the Industry 

I do not foresee going back to how it was. A new approach to TV is our new reality, so, dear readers, you might as well start adjusting for the long wait between seasons. There might be a hybrid solution between these two systems of releasing season after season or waiting years for the next one. I guess we will see.

Which approach would you prefer?