As I found myself nearing the end of the fourth episode of the second season of Amazon Prime’s “Invincible,” I was eager to watch the next episode. However, when I checked back the next week, the episode was nowhere to be found; instead, I learned that the show would be taking a four-month hiatus. In the age where instant gratification is at an all-time high and consumers want episodes immediately, why are TV shows and streaming services staggering their release schedules?
Staggered releases are defined as periodically releasing episodes and taking breaks within a season, as opposed to releasing episodes all at one time. According to The Economic Times, “Invincible” producer Robert Kirkman cited building suspense and allowing viewers to completely understand crucial events as reasons for halting the show’s usual release schedule. This strategy is not an unusual occurrence, as in the past, many other popular shows such as “Westworld” and “Better Call Saul” have used the same method.
For a long time, “binge watching” has been the most popular form of consuming television shows, in which a viewer watches multiple episodes or even seasons of a show at a time. However, according to the article “2021 Was the Year Binge-Watching Took a Back Seat to Weekly TV” by The Ringer, the shift to the weekly stagger has been largely due to the goal of keeping viewer retention rates high.
As shows have shifted more from episode-specific plots to more of an overarching plotline throughout the season, keeping audiences engaged and keeping subscriber retention rate high has been the priority of streaming services. However, this method still inconveniences viewers, as many end up uninterested in the show after it finally returns from its break.
For a long time, Netflix has been credited with pioneering the “binge” form of TV consumption, often releasing many episodes or a whole season of a show at a time, according to The Ringer. Even Netflix is switching some of its shows to a staggered schedule, with the most popular example being “Stranger Things,” which split its fourth season into two volumes.
Netflix’s change of tactics in producing content represents an overall trend in the competition between streaming services. With so many streaming platforms fighting for viewership, it makes sense that each service would want its viewers to keep coming back for more.
The shift towards periodic episode releases represents a fundamental change in the way that we consume entertainment. During COVID-19, many of us binge-watched our favorite shows, and have now become accustomed to being able to do so. However, companies are evolving, and staggered weekly releases are just one of the many new ways they have begun to encourage viewers to continue paying for their services. As it stands, staggered releases seem to be the pathway on which television is heading, so sit back, relax, and watch your favorite shows unfold one episode at a time.