2 | Programming Trends (Network/Cable, Streaming, Online, or Social)

Not long ago, television shows were nearly 20–24 episodes per season. Audiences would spend hours following beloved characters as they deviated from the main storyline: going to the beach, singing musicals, and even encountering characters from other shows. These filler episodes were to be expected––writer's rooms discussed plots for months, filming took even longer, and audiences needed a moment away from all the action to learn more about the film's world and characters. 

Today? You're lucky to get even 10 episodes––you're even luckier if the show doesn't vanish for two years before the next announcement. And now? They're releasing half seasons to keep audience engagement up. 

What caused this shift in television, and what does it mean for the future of filmmaking? 

Well, part of this shift is because cable is nearly dead. 

This death is partially due to attention economics. Viewers now have to juggle multiple streaming services, social platforms, and gaming, all competing for the same limited time. Audiences simply don't have the time to sit down and watch multiple episodes within a season. Shorter seasons are more approachable, able to convey a story within a limited time without expanding on other aspects of the world. This content is easier to digest, and asking someone to catch up on 8 episodes is much easier than asking them to sit through 40 hours of television. 

Cable television also has a year-long schedule, meaning they air episodes across all four seasons (spring, summer, fall, and winter). This is meant to satisfy consumer demand for continuous, original content, retain the audience's attention, and maximize ad revenue. But now this content can be accessed anywhere at any time, meaning that streaming services no longer need to cater to their advertisers and networks. 

Fewer episodes also means that production companies spend less per season, and more per episode. High-end TV has simply become too expensive; television series now rival films in production value, with cinematic visuals, major stars, and impressive shots. These shorter seasons mean that producers can dedicate more time to concentrate their budget on delivering these higher-quality episodes. Rather than splitting costs between 20 episodes, producers can focus on creating 8 that feel captivating and unreal. 

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The prevalence of streaming platforms also saw the emergence of binge-watching. Shorter seasons favor momentum, and watching a show full of fluff is difficult for audiences. This then leads to stories that have tighter arcs, fewer plot lines, less character development, and even clearer stakes. And, according to the Kansan Newsletter, this means that studios ignite interest in a shorter period of time, which is far easier to do when viewers can watch an entire season in a few days rather than over the course of a month. 

The tradeoff, though, is that audiences have to wait between seasons. Because of this, streaming platforms have taken to releasing seasons in parts to give audiences time to watch the show and discuss it on social media before the next part is released, meaning that the hype around the show continues. 

Shorter seasons signal a shift in film: success isn't about volume anymore, but accessibility and generating buzz. These changes reflect a deeper shift in how shows are made, marketed, and consumed for the ever-changing trends and interests. Producers now have to be deliberate in their choices, networks have to be strategic in their marketing, and viewers have shifted away from quantity to quality. 

Regardless, television is getting shorter, and we're here to witness it. Interests and attention are constantly changing, and it's up to streaming services to keep up. Who knows what will change next.