The Reason Behind the High Quantity of Episodes in American TV Shows
The American television industry has a unique characteristic: a large number of episodes per season. This content explores the reasons behind this phenomenon and reflects on the work ethic of the industry.
History and Commercial Sponsorship
The abundance of episodes per season in American TV can be traced back to the early days of television. Unlike the UK, which began as a public service, American TV was almost entirely commercially sponsored from the start. With the presence of multiple commercial networks vying for the same audience, it made sense to keep a successful series on the air for as long as possible. This approach helped mitigate the risk of losing viewers to competitors every 6–10 weeks.
The American Business Cycle and Seasonal Content
The American business cycle is year-to-year. TV shows produce episodes throughout the year, releasing them weekly. This results in a standard of 26 episodes per year for many shows. In TV terminology, this is referred to as a season, although it does not align with the traditional four seasons of the year (spring, summer, fall, winter).
In contrast, the UK developed a cycle that more closely matched the seasons. They produce 13 episodes in a series, mirroring the shorter cycle of the weather seasons. The difference in production and release strategies between the two regions highlights the divergent approaches to content creation and management.
The Evolution of Episode Production
Historically, the number of episodes per season has remained relatively consistent but has been on a steady decline. For instance, the classic series Gunsmoke, featuring James Arness as Marshall Matt Dillon, originally had 39 episodes per season for its first five seasons. By its twentieth season, the number had dropped to 24 episodes per season. Despite the decline, Gunsmoke managed to remain popular and run for 20 seasons, which underscores the relationship between audience size and production quantity.
Modern TV and Work Ethic
Today, the TV industry has embraced a model where many shows produce only 10 episodes per season. This represents a significant reduction in the amount of work and effort put into each series. This phenomenon is reflective of a broader trend of reduced work ethic in the industry, where the question is often what is the least amount of work we can get away with while still maintaining viewership.
The result is a series of shows that, while they may meet the viewership threshold, do not receive the same level of content quality as those produced in previous decades. For example, even popular shows such as Yellowstone and Cobra Kai with only 10 episodes per season are not achieving the depth that earlier, more work-intensive series managed.
Broader Implications and Work Ethic
The trend in TV production is a microcosm of broader cultural and economic shifts. The work ethic that once characterized America is significantly different today. A few decades back, a blue-collar worker could afford a home and support a family, reflecting an excellent standard of living. This was underpinned by strong work ethic.
The current mindset of minimizing work to meet viewer expectations reflects a shift in societal values and priorities. It is a stark contrast to the previous era, where the focus was on delivering quality content and maximizing engagement.
Humility and a willingness to acknowledge the need for a return to robust work ethic principles are crucial if the industry and the broader economy are to thrive. The blueprint for success exists, and it is up to current generations to recognize the value in following it.