What happened to long TV seasons?
Summary
Entertainment journalist Olivia Fahey joins The Hard Shoulder to discuss the shift from long-running series with filler episodes to shorter, tightly packed streaming seasons. The conversation explores how the loss of ad revenue and rising production costs have driven this change, while also addressing why shows like Stranger Things now have longer gaps between seasons. They debate the comfort of low-stakes sitcoms versus high-stress dramas and examine how streamers are returning to weekly release schedules to sustain audience engagement and buzz.
Topics discussed
Intro: The shift from long seasons to binge-watching
Why seasons are shorter: Ad revenue and star costs
Netflix's one-season cancellations and rapid releases
Delays between seasons: Cast schedules and VFX
The appeal of filler episodes and holiday specials
Weekly drops vs. full season releases for buzz
Comfort TV, stress, and the value of long series
Listener texts and show recommendations
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