What takes shows so long to film new seasons?

AustinAg2K

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One of my big complaints about modern television is that you get a whole season dropped on one day, and then you have to wait two or more years for the next season. It really ruins the rhythm of a show and often by the time a new season is dropped, I no longer care. I'm always curious why it takes so long between seasons? I've heard special effects, but many times the shows aren't even surreal effects heavy. Besides, shows like Game of Thrones were able to keep up with yearly release scheduling and we're fine (except for the last season, which coincidentally was a break from the yearly release schedule). I feel like TV really needs to get back to an annual cadence. Anyone else feel this way? Or does anyone know of valid reasons they need so many seasons between shows?

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HalifaxAg

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11:44a, 3/14/26

AG

I'd like to rollback the clock to when a "season" consisted of more than 6-10 episodes. Remember when seasons were 20-26 shows?

The studios could be producing the new content as the existing episodes played out...what a novel idea.

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AustinAg2K

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In reply to HalifaxAg • 12:07p, 3/14/26

HalifaxAg said:
I'd like to rollback the clock to when a "season" consisted of more than 6-10 episodes.

I think it depends on the type of show. When you are doing a mystery that pans out over the entire season, 6-10 episodes works well. I don't need 20 episodes to find out who the killer is. If it's a sitcom, though, it definitely needs more episodes. Part of what makes sitcoms great is getting to know the characters. A lot of times, the writers don't even know what makes the characters great when they start. Many times it takes a while to really get going. Something like Seinfeld really didn't get great until it had done 20 or so episodes.

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G.I.Bro

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12:08p, 3/14/26

Seems like a lot of services only commit a season at a time, so they make and air a season, wait to see the reception, then order another.

AustinAg2K

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In reply to G.I.Bro • 12:18p, 3/14/26

G.I.Bro said:
Seems like a lot of services only commit a season at a time, so they make and air a season, wait to see the reception, then order another.

That makes sense for the first season, but once you know it's a hit you should have some faith you can repeat the success.

Also, I wonder how much they are really saving. Before you know the series is a hit, the studio has all the negotiating power. Once they know it's a hit, the actors have all the power.

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Vince Blake

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In reply to AustinAg2K • 12:21p, 3/14/26

AustinAg2K said:
HalifaxAg said:
I'd like to rollback the clock to when a "season" consisted of more than 6-10 episodes.

I think it depends on the type of show. When you are doing a mystery that pans out over the entire season, 6-10 episodes works well. I don't need 20 episodes to find out who the killer is. If it's a sitcom, though, it definitely needs more episodes. Part of what makes sitcoms great is getting to know the characters. A lot of times, the writers don't even know what makes the characters great when they start. Many times it takes a while to really get going. Something like Seinfeld really didn't get great until it had done 20 or so episodes.

One I think of is "Fringe" which was 20+ episodes per season. I remember it had a good overall main story but the main story was buried along a bunch of crap episodes to fill the 20 episodes requirement.

Chuck is another one that comes to mind that probably could've benefited from shorter seasons.

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FL_Ag1998

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In reply to AustinAg2K • 12:26p, 3/14/26

AG

AustinAg2K said:
G.I.Bro said:
Seems like a lot of services only commit a season at a time, so they make and air a season, wait to see the reception, then order another.

That makes sense for the first season, but once you know it's a hit you should have some faith you can repeat the success.

Also, I wonder how much they are really saving. Before you know the series is a hit, the studio has all the negotiating power. Once they know it's a hit, the actors have all the power.

That's a different issue, and I read an article a year or so ago explaining why these streaming services limit shows to 3 or so seasons. I believe it involves escalator type contractual clauses that kick in typically after season 3. So, they produce three relatively cheap seasons then cancel it and move on to the next new show.