Where Has the Slow-Burn TV Hit Gone?

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Approximately twenty years back, Wired magazine journalist Chris Anderson penned “The Long Tail,” where he predicted a significant shift in the way we consume goods and services.

Anderson’s blockbuster suggested that technological platforms enable individuals to uncover lesser-known or outdated content, all while providing businesses with the opportunity to showcase such material in a manner previously impossible due to the constraints of linear space. This way, items which might have vanished rapidly now maintain longevity.

In the realm of entertainment, there was a noticeable shift around the mid-2010s. Shows such as “Friends” began resonating with a fresh audience on Netflix, even though it had been off the air for a decade and seemed culturally outdated for longer. This resurgence in popularity can be attributed to the long tail effect, which allows a vast number of people to engage with the show at their convenience rather than being limited by syndication reruns’ strict schedule. As a result, “Friends” was able to regain relevance.

It can be said that in terms of streaming, shows like “Grey’s Anatomy”, “NCIS”, and “Family Guy” continue to thrive and maintain popularity. These programs had their initial peak, but instead of fading away, they have a prolonged tail, which keeps them burning bright for many years – at least 20 years for each one.

However, these television series initially premiered on conventional TV networks, gaining traction from weekly broadcasts and multiple seasons. In contrast, streaming platform-produced shows follow a distinct narrative. This Emmy season underscores the fact that their longevity is significantly shorter – if 20 years is too optimistic, then even 20 weeks might be pushing it. The long-lasting success of these series has been reduced to a mere stump.

On an intuitive level, it resonates as if it’s true. The series “Zero Day,” which was all the buzz for a week in February, feels like it took place in a different era altogether. And wasn’t Tina Fey’s “30 Rock” reunion “The Four Seasons” from this year? It seems like it happened ages ago, but actually, it was just last month?

Furthermore, it’s also statistically accurate. For instance, take the data point from 2021: A total of 19 Netflix series managed to stay in the top 10 for at least 10 weeks throughout the year. In other words, these shows had a lasting appeal, keeping us engaged week after week. However, that number decreased to 12 in the previous year. As for this year, it seems like only seven shows are on track to maintain their presence on the charts for at least ten weeks.

Shows like “Severance” and “Andor,” even though they’re streamed, can continue generating interest for a long time. However, all too frequently, series – especially those star-driven limited ones – follow the 1970s fire safety advice: They start, drop, and roll off into obscurity.

As a dedicated gamer, I understand the struggle of having countless options at our fingertips in today’s digital world. The hours poured into programming content across multiple platforms have made it challenging for any one game to truly reap the benefits from the long tail. Frankly, there’s just too much to play, making it difficult for a favorite title to remain top-of-mind amidst the deluge of options. And let’s face it, our attention spans, much like those in the media world, are shrinking, making it even harder for a game to keep us hooked.

A significant factor contributing to this phenomenon is the structure of certain streaming shows, designed as limited series with four or six episodes. These series, particularly on Netflix, are usually released all at once, aiming for rapid dominance. Once they’ve peaked in popularity, they disappear just as swiftly. It’s like watching a popular movie star on TV this month, only to find a new one next month. Don’t forget to keep your subscription active during this binge-watching journey!

Sirens has recently reclaimed the number one spot after its release over Memorial Day weekend and continues to do so in early June. However, how long can it maintain this position within the top 10? Discussing Devon and Kiki’s codependency at our Fourth of July barbecues seems as unrealistic as wearing dark clothes to a Labor Day party.

In other words: The movie “Sirens” has been number one since its Memorial Day release and continues to hold that position in early June. But how long can it stay in the top 10? Debating Devon and Kiki’s codependency at our Fourth of July barbecues seems as unlikely as wearing dark clothes to a Labor Day party.

Compare this to how shows used to build tension gradually. The BBC action-thriller, Bodyguard, which Netflix acquired from ITV to stream in the U.S. at the end of 2018, kept viewers hooked week after week even though all six episodes were released simultaneously. In contrast, limited series on other platforms used to develop slowly; however, HBO’s Mare of Easttown in 2021 was one of the few exceptions that saw its audience grow with each subsequent episode – a stark contrast to today’s ‘explode-and-be-forgotten’ approach.

Additionally, let’s not overlook “Stranger Things,” which premiered in 2016 and has remained captivating, as demonstrated by its massive popularity when season four was released six years later, making it the third most-watched season on Netflix to date. Interestingly, “Adolescence” seemed poised for a prolonged growth trajectory when it surpassed “Stranger Things” season four in viewership. However, after four weeks, it dropped out of the top 10, indicating a strong but not extraordinarily long-lasting appeal.

Is there a sense of emptiness or lack when shows quickly appear and disappear? One might question the persistent grumbling of the traditional critic. However, it’s also valid to claim the opposite: Novelty and excitement are beneficial. Why worry about longevity?

From a commercial perspective, the issue lies in that approach not yielding results, as anyone who follows the weekly box office competition can attest. Building momentum from scratch is significantly challenging, but culturally, it seems out of sync. Television, unlike many other art forms, primarily emphasizes long-term relationships – the evolution of characters over years and the bond they form with viewers throughout their journey, even when a show goes off-air.

For some time now, streaming services have been replicating the emotional turmoil of characters like Ross and Rachel, making it seem as though their drama is unfolding in real-time. However, once we become engrossed in these narratives, we often find ourselves moving on to new loves, forgetting about our previous connections. The relationship dynamics portrayed on streaming platforms have shifted from deep partnerships to fleeting flings.

This season’s standout has been “The Residence”, the Shondaland mystery-comedy that released all eight episodes on one day in March, and remarkably stayed among the top 10 for six weeks. Here’s to hoping it signals a change for the better. After all, a speedy reward is nice, but a prolonged success is even sweeter.

Originally featured in a special June edition of The Hollywood Reporter’s magazine, you can read it by subscribing here.

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2025-06-13 21:25