As a long-time subscriber to various streaming platforms and someone who has spent countless hours engrossed in the digital world of entertainment, I find myself deeply troubled by the current trend of releasing TV series in multiple installments.
Initially, when Netflix started creating original content, it deviated significantly from the norm. Instead of distributing episodes according to a fixed schedule, they released an entire season of a show simultaneously. This practice, for quite some time, was the common approach for streaming television. However, in recent developments, we’ve observed a return to traditional TV release patterns, with many shows on top-tier streaming platforms debuting new episodes weekly. Interestingly, even Netflix is now opting for segmented releases of their major productions as opposed to all at once.
The traditional perspective suggests that stretching out show discussions over several weeks instead of binging all at once keeps them relevant in cultural discussions for longer periods. This way, friends can discuss the latest episodes weekly, fostering a sustained conversation about the show, rather than seeing it quickly fade from cultural discourse after just a few days following its release. Additionally, this approach allows those who can’t watch an episode immediately to catch up at their own pace.
I get where you’re coming from with your point, and I can see merit in it. However, it doesn’t particularly matter to me: the idea of weekly updates should be phased out.
Weekly Releases Were Necessary Once, But They’re Not Anymore
Back in the days of traditional, or as we call it now, linear television, it was essential for shows to be released either weekly or daily because that was the only method to consistently find them. The programming schedule was rigid since there was no other way to determine what would appear on our screens at any given time. We simply had to pick from the options available to us since we didn’t have the ability to control the content displayed.
In the past, linear networks were dominant, but those times have significantly changed. As we move forward, linear networks are gradually becoming less prevalent. It might take several more decades for them to completely disappear, however, their influence on how people access television will continue to diminish over time.
Thanks to streaming services and DVR technology, there’s been a significant move from standalone TV episodes towards continuous narratives, or serialized stories. Prior to the invention of VCRs, and even afterward due to the hassle of programming them, it was challenging for TV shows to ensure viewers watched every episode. Consequently, most shows focused on self-contained stories that didn’t allow much character growth or development. Each episode generally ended with characters in the same state as they started, to prevent confusion among viewers. Shows attempting serialized narratives often struggled.
Today, almost every television series follows a continuous narrative, which significantly enhances its quality compared to earlier times. The intricate plots, well-developed characters with personal growth trajectories, and adaptations that delve deeper into the original source material are aspects that make modern TV far superior to what it was before. This development is truly remarkable.
If a TV series focuses on a single narrative, it ought to be accessible for me to view whenever I prefer, allowing flexibility for me to choose when to watch – just as I have the option to read more of my book late at night.
Binge Watching Is The Best Way To Watch Any Seialized Story
In my old profession, I used to be a frequent traveler for work while I still had satellite television at home. This travel schedule meant that my DVR often became overflowing with a multitude of shows my spouse and I enjoyed watching. On weekends, there were usually more fresh episodes than we could manage to watch in the time allotted, resulting in a backlog. Eventually, when we did find ourselves with some free hours for television, we preferred to watch multiple episodes of one series rather than switching between different programs. This approach made viewing much more enjoyable.
Fun fact: before binge-watching had a name, I binge-watched the entire final season of Fringe about a year after the show ended because it was still sitting on my DVR. I had only just gotten to it.
In this streaming age, just like many others, my life as a gamer has seen a shift with my family dynamics. With two energetic little ones, our TV time is significantly reduced compared to before. Consequently, we’ve taken to watching only one show at a time, savoring each episode instead of flipping through channels aimlessly.
Initially, we decided to explore fresh content on Apple TV+ and stumbled upon the series called “Slow Horses”. We’d heard positive reviews about it, so we gave it a go and ended up finishing the first three seasons within a week. The fourth season of “Slow Horses” is currently airing weekly, but we had to pause our viewing. In the meantime, two episodes of another series called “Bad Monkey” appeared in our queue, leaving us engaged with both shows simultaneously.
Why does this happen? Seeing numerous series left unfinished is making me go mad. Lately, I’ve found myself in a predicament where I have nothing to watch because the ones I follow have come to a halt. Starting a new one seems like an option, but then I’m juggling three shows simultaneously. It’s becoming too much to handle!
A Show With One Story Should Get A One Episode Drop
The math on this is pretty easy. If your show is only telling one story, then it should release all episodes at once. If it’s telling more than one, then multiple episode drops are acceptable. But today, most TV series are just multi-part movies, and as long as that’s the case, complete seasons should be released all at once.
I’m really enjoying the show “Only Murders in the Building.” As a longtime admirer of Steve Martin, I’ve been looking forward to this series since it was initially announced, and it hasn’t let me down so far. Unfortunately, my current predicament is that I must either wait for the entire season to air before watching or settle for half a story at a time.
As a gamer, let me share some insights: If a series doesn’t garner enough viewership, it might not get renewed. Watching shows early and in sufficient numbers can help keep them on air, even if I believe the method of deciding their fate is flawed. When an entire episode drops at once, it bumps that show up my watch list, and I’m guessing I’m not alone in feeling this way.
Truly Episodic Shows Can Have Weekly Releases That’s Fine
Based on the math you provided, it implies that if a series follows an episodic structure, releasing episodes weekly works just fine. For instance, when watching a competitive reality show like Masterchef, each episode can be enjoyed independently without needing to watch them consecutively. Therefore, taking breaks for a week or more isn’t much of a concern.
Just like some dramatic series, the latest season of “Doctor Who” on Disney+ was one I eagerly tuned in for each week without any hassle this year. Although it had ongoing plotlines connecting different episodes, it essentially followed an episodic structure. Each episode found The Doctor and their companion visiting a new location, embarking on an adventure, resolving that adventure, and then moving forward. I don’t crave the next chapter of the story right away because each individual story is completed, and the following episode presents a fresh narrative.
In the realm of streaming services, there’s a multitude of aspects regarding how TV functions that these platforms are still grappling with. One such issue is deciding when and how to release shows, as they experiment with various strategies to determine what resonates most with viewers. I personally believe that in numerous instances, releasing an entire season at once could be the ideal approach.
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2024-10-05 06:07