TV Tuesday: Show Release Schedules

[yourlibrarian]

We've discussed before at tv_talk how the binge model vs the weekly model affects viewing (and fandom participation). But a recent article suggests that the release schedule for shows has also been a big change.

Do you miss not having new programming slates across networks (traditionally in autumn in the U.S.)? Is it easier to follow shows now that their starts are spread out through the year or are there benefits to having most new shows starting within a month of one another?

Comments

[olivermoss]

I vastly prefer most shows being episodic and starting in the fall. Having a few exceptions is fine. Stranger Things works best as a binge because of how it's structured.

Before the slowdown from covid and the strikes I couldn't keep up with shows because of the binge model. Also, the bump of interest, discussion, fandom, etc has usually pecked before I could even get to them

[yourlibrarian]

Yes, that's definitely an issue.

[jenab]

I prefer shows starting in the fall and being more episodic along with the traditional 20-22 episode seasons.

With binge watching I end up not really taking in the finer details or linger long in the show/fandom unless it really grabs me.

Plus I don't have the energy to keep trying out new shows as most streaming shows don't seem to last beyond a couple of seasons. There's something comforting about falling back into a know universe each fall.

[yourlibrarian]

There's something comforting about falling back into a know universe each fall.

That's a good way of putting it, part of the yearly cycle.

[wearing_tearing]

With binge watching I end up not really taking in the finer details or linger long in the show/fandom unless it really grabs me.
I'm the same way! I'm glad some streaming platforms are going back to episodic releases.

[queer_scribbling]

Do you miss not having new programming slates across networks (traditionally in autumn in the U.S.)? Is it easier to follow shows now that their starts are spread out through the year or are there benefits to having most new shows starting within a month of one another?

My family still tends to watch the majority of our shows on tv, so we haven't really lost the autumn return of programming and new series starting. It's what we're used to, so it seems easier to keep track of -- though it's not an exact guarantee that every show will return within about a month in the autumn. Jeopardy just ended their current season and announced they'd be back in September, so we'll be on the lookout for quite a few shows probably coming back around then, but we also have shows carried on PBS that have shorter seasons that we'll probably keep an eye out for in October and November. (Or after the New Year in 2025. I have a relative who always wants 'All Creatures Great & Small' to return earlier than it does for us.)

We also dabble in some of the vet, zoo, and animal rescue shows on Animal Planet, and I think those have usually come back in the winter or summer instead of autumn. (They've been thrown off or some shows just haven't returned since the Covid-19 pandemic started, but I can only guess that they tended to follow a different return schedule since they're more like reality programming.)

[yourlibrarian]

Your comment about the shorter British imports made me think for the first time about why PBS structured Masterpiece and Mystery as they did. When those shows started, the 22 or even 24 episode format was the default for most U.S. programming (not counting news, game shows, etc.)

[delphi]

I definitely prefer weekly models of releases, particularly now that we're in an era where you're not stuck waiting for reruns if you miss the first airing. I'm not set on everything coming out as a slate, but I do wish I had a better idea when things were going to be available—especially since I'm in a country that predominantly imports our media and don't always get everything on the streaming platforms or the same schedule.

In my perfect world, I would be able to pick something up at the grocery store check-out (or, okay, a digital newsletter would be fine too) that would tell me what's premiering where in my country this week, and what I can look forward to coming out in the next month.

[yourlibrarian]

Yes, having a monthly new releases newsletter, complete with reviews, would definitely be helpful!

[delphi]

That would be perfect! I do appreciate the TV Guide seems to have branched out to cover streaming, but aside from the aforementioned region issue, I definitely want a complete list of new releases as opposed to a "here's the best things to watch this month." I end up sleeping on a lot of hidden gems because they're not getting a publicity campaign.

[yourlibrarian]

Yes, it would be nice to have everything on the same playing field.

[tinny]

Considering I've almost exclusively watched cdrama for the last five years, I didn't even notice the schedule change.

I used to look at the fall schedules and loved the concept. I just thought it was my fault that I now keep missing everything because there's no set start date for everything anymore. Huh.