Why is Netflix taking nearly 21 months to release new seasons of shows? Explained in depth

Netflix is a streaming service that provides original material, TV series, and films, and offers multiple subscription models, where a standard subscription with ads costs $7.99 per month, a standard subscription (without ads) costs $17.99 per month, and a premium subscription costs $24.99 per month.

Netflix productions are known to experience lengthy delays between show seasons, with gaps frequently lasting almost two years, owing to various reasons such as improved production, worldwide challenges, actor availability, and release strategy. These gaps can lower viewer interest, but according to a report by What's on Netflix, the streaming platform is reportedly working to close them by preparing ahead of time and accelerating production.

More about Netflix and the extended gaps between new seasons of shows

Netflix, Inc. was launched in 1997 as a DVD rental business and had grown to become the world's leading streaming platform by 2007. Today, it operates in over 190 countries, with a diverse collection of licensed and creative content. Users pay a monthly fee to use the platform, where Netflix Originals such as Stranger Things, The Crown, and Bridgerton can be streamed.

However, Netflix has received increasing criticism for the extended waiting periods between seasons of its series. Popular shows frequently have long seasons, with an average of 20.7 months between them.

This delay is obvious in shows such as FUBAR and Ginny & Georgia, where wait durations range from 9 to 32 months. While the gap has an impact on momentum, other shows, such as Blood of Zeus, fail to re-engage viewers after long hiatuses.

According to a report by What's on Netflix, there are several different causes for these delays. First, there has been a notable improvement in production quality. Larger casts, foreign localization needs (dubbing and subtitles), and cinematic visuals are common features of contemporary streaming shows, which prolong post-production schedules. Shorter episode counts also allow performers to work on other projects, which complicates scheduling for next seasons.

Disruptions from outside sources have also been quite important. The 2023 writers' and actors' strikes further slowed down development timetables, and the COVID-19 pandemic stopped production across the board; all these worldwide disruptions had an especially negative impact on television shows, such as Stranger Things, which faced years-long breaks between seasons.

Strategic considerations need to be kept in mind as well. The platform, in most cases, is known to release entire seasons at once, which often results in fast binge consumption from the audience. To keep subscribers engaged throughout the year, the platform may postpone renewals or vary content delivery. Splitting seasons into parts, like Bridgerton Season 3, is one approach for keeping viewers interested over time.

Unfortunately, the extended gaps have had measurable implications. Many series have had major audience decreases between seasons. Only a handful, such as Bridgerton, have managed to expand their audiences despite the delays. The platform is addressing this by accepting screenplays early and greenlighting multi-season orders, but obstacles remain.

So, Netflix's prolonged release cycle is caused by a combination of higher production standards, external disturbances, talent availability, and corporate strategy, and while attempts are being made to improve turnaround times, the streaming model continues to grow, and striking the correct balance between speed and quality remains a major problem.

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