Ok, so I have to ask, why? 9-1-1 Nashville had an 7-8 week break over Christmas, then we get a couple of episodes and then another 3 week break... It's not the onlyt ahow either, they've done similar with Brilliant Minds.
Are the networks trying to drive away viewers and deliberately tank the ratings for these shows?
@alzebub wrote:
Ok, so I have to ask, why? 9-1-1 Nashville had an 7-8 week break over Christmas, then we get a couple of episodes and then another 3 week break... It's not the onlyt ahow either, they've done similar with Brilliant Minds.
Are the networks trying to drive away viewers and deliberately tank the ratings for these shows?
I am pretty confident that this has some other reasons that we are not aware of.
@alzebub wrote:
Ok, so I have to ask, why? 9-1-1 Nashville had an 7-8 week break over Christmas, then we get a couple of episodes and then another 3 week break... It's not the onlyt ahow either, they've done similar with Brilliant Minds.
Are the networks trying to drive away viewers and deliberately tank the ratings for these shows?
Just the opposite, most likely.
Taking a break between Thanksgiving and New Years isn't too uncommon these days - especially since all 3 holidays in that period were on a Thursday (for the 9-1-1 shows airing on Thursdays, that's a big deal).
As for the upcoming 3 week break, the Olympics will be running for most of that time, and they probably don't want the shows to have to compete against that.
@alzebub wrote:
Ok, so I have to ask, why? 9-1-1 Nashville had an 7-8 week break over Christmas, then we get a couple of episodes and then another 3 week break... It's not the onlyt ahow either, they've done similar with Brilliant Minds.
Are the networks trying to drive away viewers and deliberately tank the ratings for these shows?
No, this is the new reality for network programming. Gone are the days of 22-26 episode seasons. Most network shows are now 20-22 episodes, and some, especially on NBC, are only 16-18 episodes, meaning much of that network's schedule is completely different in the Spring than the Fall.
In the old days, networks would air their fall schedule for thirteen weeks (September to about mid-November) with a few repeats sprinkled here or there to fill out schedules and allow for production time. After that would be repeats and the familiar holiday fare (Charlie Brown, Rudolph, etc.) along with Christmas-themed movies and specials to fill time over the holidays. In January, networks would air the remaining ten to thirteen new episodes and end the production season in May.
For new shows, a network would make an initial order of six episodes. If the first few rated well, they would order another six or seven to get to the holiday break. Fans knew a freshman show was doing well when the network ordered the "back nine", which would be enough episodes to make a full, if short, season.
With the advent of streaming, networks had to adapt. Viewers had less patience for repeats when episodes were available online instantly through the network's streaming site. Today, networks work on seasonal schedules:
Fall: September - November
Holiday: late November - mid January
Winter: January - March
Spring: March - May
Summer: May - August
So what does this mean?
Networks premiered their scripted shows in September for the "Fall" season. Those shows aired, with few or no repeats depending on the network, through mid-November. At that point, networks switched over to the "Holiday" schedule. While a few scripted shows might air a Christmas-themed episode during this period, most of the schedule is filled with things like Great Christmas Light Fight, or Holiday Bake-Off, which are 6-8 episodes, and the usual holiday specials (Rudolph, Frosty, etc.).
In January, networks go a couple of different directions for the "Winter" season. Some, like NBC are wrapping up any remaining episodes for their Fall shows, while others like CBS, just take this time off for their scripted shows and air a slew of repeats with a couple of game shows tossed in that have new episodes and are cheap to produce.
Once we get to March, the "Spring" season kicks into gear and the back half of the scripted show's episodes air. (or if you're NBC, the other half of your entire scripted schedule starts airing)
Networks aren't sabotaging their shows, at least that isn't their intention, but it can certainly feel that way to fans who end up having to wait through one or two of the new schedule blocks before they get new episodes of their favorite shows.
@LadyShelley wrote:
No, this is the new reality for network programming. Gone are the days of 22-26 episode seasons. Most network shows are now 20-22 episodes, and some, especially on NBC, are only 16-18 episodes, meaning much of that network's schedule is completely different in the Spring than the Fall.In the old days, networks would air their fall schedule for thirteen weeks (September to about mid-November) with a few repeats sprinkled here or there to fill out schedules and allow for production time. After that would be repeats and the familiar holiday fare (Charlie Brown, Rudolph, etc.) along with Christmas-themed movies and specials to fill time over the holidays. In January, networks would air the remaining ten to thirteen new episodes and end the production season in May.
For new shows, a network would make an initial order of six episodes. If the first few rated well, they would order another six or seven to get to the holiday break. Fans knew a freshman show was doing well when the network ordered the "back nine", which would be enough episodes to make a full, if short, season.
With the advent of streaming, networks had to adapt. Viewers had less patience for repeats when episodes were available online instantly through the network's streaming site. Today, networks work on seasonal schedules:
Fall: September - November
Holiday: late November - mid January
Winter: January - March
Spring: March - May
Summer: May - August
So what does this mean?
Networks premiered their scripted shows in September for the "Fall" season. Those shows aired, with few or no repeats depending on the network, through mid-November. At that point, networks switched over to the "Holiday" schedule. While a few scripted shows might air a Christmas-themed episode during this period, most of the schedule is filled with things like Great Christmas Light Fight, or Holiday Bake-Off, which are 6-8 episodes, and the usual holiday specials (Rudolph, Frosty, etc.).
In January, networks go a couple of different directions for the "Winter" season. Some, like NBC are wrapping up any remaining episodes for their Fall shows, while others like CBS, just take this time off for their scripted shows and air a slew of repeats with a couple of game shows tossed in that have new episodes and are cheap to produce.
Once we get to March, the "Spring" season kicks into gear and the back half of the scripted show's episodes air. (or if you're NBC, the other half of your entire scripted schedule starts airing)
Networks aren't sabotaging their shows, at least that isn't their intention, but it can certainly feel that way to fans who end up having to wait through one or two of the new schedule blocks before they get new episodes of their favorite shows.
Thankyou for your reply. I have certain shows I love, and the gaps become annoying, but going back and refreshing on the previous episode isn't that bad. But for shows I'm 50/50 on.... hence there are some shows that just become more effort than reward, hence my original question. As you rightly pointed out, it can feel like sabotage, but TV execs must also know this, yet they allow it to continue.
@alzebub wrote:
Thankyou for your reply. I have certain shows I love, and the gaps become annoying, but going back and refreshing on the previous episode isn't that bad. But for shows I'm 50/50 on.... hence there are some shows that just become more effort than reward, hence my original question. As you rightly pointed out, it can feel like sabotage, but TV execs must also know this, yet they allow it to continue.
Oh, I agree, it is very annoying. I hated when shows like Stargate had those split seasons when they were on Sci-Fi. The first ten episodes aired, and then we didn't get the rest of 3-4 months.
This is the new paradigm at the moment as linear networks figure out how to compete and stay relevant in a streaming world. A little anticipation is good for buzz. It's something streamers are learning. They don't just dump a show on a service these days. They air weekly episodes. It's almost as if networks were onto something! On the other hand, while waiting a week, maybe two, for the next episode is good to get fans talking and eager for the resolution, waiting months for no other reason than they didn't want to spend the money for a full season, irks.
And make no mistake, this is hurting the talent, both in front of and behind the camera, too. These folks aren't paid a salary. They only get paid while a show is in production. No produciton? No check.
