Jensen Ackles Reveals Why Weekly Episode Drops Are Making a Major Comeback

In 2025, Jensen Ackles will carry on his succession of new projects following the end of “Supernatural” with the action-packed series “Countdown”, set to premiere on Prime Video. Although this isn’t his first foray into streaming or even his first series on the platform (having previously starred in “The Boys”), he recently spoke to TopMob about why “Countdown” thrives when multiple episodes are released weekly instead of entire seasons at once.

During Prime Video’s Countdown press event, I had the privilege of sitting down for an interview with actor Eric Dane. With over 140 episodes of Grey’s Anatomy under his belt on ABC, and Jensen Ackles, my conversation partner, boasting more than 325 episodes of Supernatural on The CW, it was clear we were chatting with two veterans well-versed in the art of weekly episode releases.

When I inquired about why the model suited Countdown with LAPD Detective Mark Meachum (Ackles) collaborating with Nathan Blythe (Dane) on a mission force to safeguard Los Angeles, Dane responded that he believed it was a “show-and-tell” television program. Ackles further explained:

As a dedicated viewer, I find myself yearning for a return to the traditional weekly release format, similar to the Netflix model but with episodes rolled out over time. Personally, when an entire series drops at once, I often find myself at a disadvantage if I can’t watch all the episodes immediately. This leaves me unable to join in conversations about the show without fear of spoilers. It becomes a vicious cycle: ‘I’ve missed too much, and now that I’ve heard a spoiler, it seems pointless to catch up.’ So, the shift back to weekly releases feels like a breath of fresh air for those who value the shared experience of watching a show unfold over time.

Having been in the television industry for a while, long enough to remember when Netflix was the primary streaming service, I can certainly relate to the Supernatural alum’s predicament of not being able to watch the latest trending shows without spoilers ruining the experience. With so much content available for binge-watching these days, it’s a struggle to find time, especially if you want to squeeze in some sleep as well.

Prior to his role in Supernatural, Ackles was already a common sight on prime-time television with series such as Dark Angel and Smallville, and he continued this trend post-Supernatural with shows like Big Sky and Tracker. With almost 550 episodes of Days of Our Lives under his belt, it’s safe to say that Ackles has ample network TV experience compared to most. The weekly release of Countdown on Prime Video might not replicate the feel of a traditional network TV show, but fans can savor the excitement over several weeks instead of binge-watching it all at once. He further added that…

In terms of broadcasting, having new episodes each week allows for discussions about previous installments during that same period, which helps avoid feelings of confusion or falling behind. I appreciate how the balance is shifting towards a midpoint between continuous streamer broadcast and weekly releases, as it seems to keep the audience more engaged over time.

Eric Dane expressed his approval by stating, “I appreciate the rhythm of that,” making it evident that the actors agreed: this show suits a ten-episode run distributed over a couple of months. Unlike the weekly releases of Countdown, the upcoming series will debut its first three episodes on June 25 for Amazon Prime Video subscribers.

In this discussion, I’ll avoid revealing any spoilers, but let me tell you that the combination of these characters is fantastic for starting off the series, as it also paves the way for more intense drama ahead. Joining Jensen Ackles and Eric Dane in the cast of Countdown are Jessica Camacho, Violett Beane, Elliot Knight, and Uli Latukefu. Derek Haas from Chicago Fire is on board as the creator, head writer, and writer for all ten episodes.

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Beginning this Wednesday, June 25th, the initial three episodes of the series Countdown will debut on Prime Video. Following episodes will be released each Wednesday up until early September. While traditional water cooler discussions might not be as common anymore, this format allows viewers to savor the storyline for several months rather than just a few hours, offering ample topics for conversation.

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2025-06-25 07:08