Shorter Seasons, Fewer Shows: Is Streaming Dying?

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It seems more people are observing how TV seasons are becoming increasingly brief. Interestingly, this trend isn’t just a personal observation; it’s a pattern that major streamers like Netflix have been following as well. In fact, a report by Luminate, an entertainment data and insights company owned by Variety’s parent company PMC, has highlighted the abbreviated nature of 2024’s streaming shows.

Luminate’s top executives, Mark Hoebich (executive VP and head of film and TV) and Carolyn Finger (senior VP of consumer success and products), shared insights from their annual report on films and television, highlighting recognized patterns and tendencies in the industry. If you’ve been keeping an eye on streaming shows over the past few years, chances are you’ve noticed these trends as well.

Although the total count of series produced has decreased by about 7%, it’s important to note that the number of episodes ordered for these series has also dropped substantially. Last year alone, there was a nearly 20% decrease compared to the previous year. This trend has persisted for two consecutive years: a 17% drop in 2023 and another almost 20% decline in 2024. It appears that media companies are becoming more frugal when it comes to renewing series or ordering new ones, as they’re opting for fewer episodes. Consequently, this affects various sectors of our entertainment industry, including writers, producers, directors, and actors who heavily rely on episodic orders.

The absence of new TV shows has provided an opportunity for reality TV and social media content to grab viewers’ focus, shifting their attention from platforms such as Max and Prime towards platforms like TikTok.
It’s worth mentioning that the significant decrease in comedy series (down 39% in the U.S. and Canada since 2019) is noteworthy, potentially indicating a trend favoring genre-specific projects. For more insights, take a look at the Luminate report.

This Is a Very Bad (But Predictable) Sign for the Streaming Industry

The report further outlined that American streaming productions have significantly decreased over the past six years, paving the way for international productions to take their place. Shows are becoming shorter in length, with studios reluctant to commission additional episodes, and they’re also experiencing a decline in audience numbers. In an interview with Variety, Finger noted that the Star Wars franchise is facing a drop in both viewership and quality as Disney strives to produce as much Star Wars-related content as possible.

The significance of effective franchise management for these media firms is clearly evident. If they stretch themselves too thin by attempting numerous tasks outside of their core franchises, they risk diluting their focus and potentially failing to achieve the desired outcomes.

As a devoted cinephile, if I find myself questioning the popularity of a big-budget Star Wars project like The Acolyte, it’s a clear sign that TV is in a bit of a rut. This isn’t exactly surprising though, audiences have grown weary of streamers sticking to safe bets. With streaming production companies trimming down orders for new or extended series, viewer interest seems to be waning. If these streaming giants want to regain our trust, they need to start paying attention to us, the fans.

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2025-02-05 22:01