Modern TV - Weekly Episodes vs Binge Watching

[DIrishB]

So the success of Netflix's television shows of releasing entire series at one time (and allowing binge watch marathons of the entire season or seasons) can't be denied. And I can see the appeal. Mainly, there's no drawn out wait each week for new episodes, or having to deal with repeats and breaks over the holidays as network shows have to do. It also allows plot lines and character development to stay fresh in the minds of viewers who may forget certain things in the week to week approach of network TV.

My question is, do you think that approach will have a major affect on the network approach in the long run? Will networks have to alter their approach to compete with the growing Netflix television market?

Of course, there is a downside to the all at once approach, namely that while network TV only has a 3-4 month break between seasons (due to spreading the season out over a 7-8 month span), Netflix shows generally have a good year between seasons, since they're subject to the same production schedules as network, weekly shows are. This can also make forgetting about plot lines and character development more of an issue between seasons. Of course the recaps at the start of each episode solve that some, and the ability to rewatch the previous season or seasons as a refresher is another option.

But what do you think? Will networks have to adapt their approach to weekly series given Netflix's success with their shows? Things like Orange is the New Black, Arrested Development - Season Four, and the upcoming Marvel shows (Daredevil, etc) have brought in, and will continue to bring in, noticeably large viewership numbers.

 

[wyokid]

I'd say it already has. Agents of SHIELD would be a good example. That started like a normal network show and then turned into a serial late in the game. Agent Carter is being called an eight hour movie.

 

[DIrishB]

I'd say it already has. Agents of SHIELD would be a good example. That started like a normal network show and then turned into a serial late in the game. Agent Carter is being called an eight hour movie.

Yeah but the comic based shows have a strong element of serialization anyway. Same applies to Arrow, etc.

I'm not disagreeing as I think there is and will continue to be a strong affect, but I'm wondering more how it'll affect things that a less specified, more general audience watches (popular shows like CSI and other procedurals, or comedies like Modern Family).

Now with procedurals, the general audience eats those up anyway, and can all be viewed largely as self contained episodes with minor elements of serialization and character development. So I don't see those types of shows really altering their formula much. Other shows, though? Probably, in some way, shape, or form.

 

[wyokid]

Yeah but the comic based shows have a strong element of serialization anyway. Same applies to Arrow, etc.

I wouldn't know. The only network shows I watch are Agents of SHIELD and Arrow and the producers of AoS were talking about making it more serialized due to binge watching becoming a thing so I figured everyone was doing it as well. It does make me sad that society as a whole is becoming so lazy that we marathon shows in one sitting. I'm not saying I don't do it, but I also think it's very unhealthy.

 

[Ice]

I binge watch only with a show I'm seriously behind on. Like whenever I get to it, I'll binge watch Grimm to catch up as I left somewhere in mid season of season 2.

When Arrested Development season 4 came on, I only watched at most 2 episodes at a time, and not even every day.

 

[DIrishB]

I wouldn't know. The only network shows I watch are Agents of SHIELD and Arrow and the producers of AoS were talking about making it more serialized due to binge watching becoming a thing so I figured everyone was doing it as well. It does make me sad that society as a whole is becoming so lazy that we marathon shows in one sitting. I'm not saying I don't do it, but I also think it's very unhealthy.

It's only unhealthy if you're binge watching shows just about every day. I doubt many do that.

If I had to guess I'd say most people, when not limited by a TV airing schedule and watching full seasons on DVD, Netflix, torrents, etc, probably watch 2-4 episodes a night. That's about 3 hours of television, close to four for the Netflix shows which don't have commercial breaks and run around 55 minutes.

 

[E]

It's the best way to watch.

The first show I binge-watched was Lost - I didn't even watch the first episode until a few months (or more) after the finale. My wife and I sometimes watched 4-5 episodes a night.

Right now we're binge-watching Breaking Bad. We sometimes take in 3-4 episodes a night.