Why Do Some TV Shows Have Long Breaks Between Seasons?

Television series, especially from the past decades, frequently faced long gaps between seasons, often leaving fans eagerly awaiting the return of their favorite shows. This phenomenon can be attributed to a variety of factors, ranging from financial implications to changes in production schedules. In this article, we delve into the reasons behind these long breaks and their impact on the television industry.

Music Rights and Financial Constraints

One of the main reasons for the absence of reruns or the long breaks between seasons is the high cost of obtaining music rights. Television shows often feature copyrighted music that can no longer be legally included in broadcasts. Renegotiating these rights can be prohibitively expensive, leading networks and studios to discontinue broadcasts of these shows. This financial constraint often forces networks to either pay an exorbitant fee to retain rights or discontinue broadcasting the show entirely.

Physical Storage and Erasure Practices

Another factor contributing to the discontinuation of certain shows is the physical storage and erasure practices used in the early days of television. Older shows were often frequently recorded and possibly erased to save space and costs. This practice, while cost-effective for studios, meant that obtaining the original recordings for reruns or later syndication could be difficult or impossible. Additionally, media degradation over time has further complicated the retrieval of these episodes, contributing to long breaks between seasons.

Syndication Contracts and Episode Limits

Many syndication contracts specify the number of episodes that can be broadcast, typically during a certain period. Once these episodes are used up, additional episodes may not be available for rebroadcast. This constraint can result in long gaps between seasons, as the content exhaustion necessitates time to produce new episodes. Studios often face the challenge of maintaining consistent viewership by balancing the need for fresh content with the logistical constraints of multiple television platforms.

Production Fatigue and Industry Schedules

Historically, television production schedules were tightly packed, with some shows needing to produce a substantial number of episodes within a short timeframe. For example, filmed network shows would once aim to produce approximately 39 episodes of minimovies per year, followed by 13 reruns to fill the summer slot. Other shows aimed for 30-38 episodes, with some hitting the minimum 26 or 28 episodes. This intensive production schedule led to early signs of production fatigue, leading some industry experts to recommend more flexible schedules.

The 1970s and Changes in Production

The 1970s witnessed a gradual shift towards more flexible production schedules as networks and studios recognized the toll of their existing production models. With the end of cigarette advertising, production costs reduced, leading to more lenient schedules. By the late 1970s, a standard production schedule of 24-26 episodes per show became the norm, and by the end of the decade, this number dropped further to 21-22 episodes. The industry also began to experiment with the "Wheel Show" concept, allowing for more flexible formats and rotating television series during the year.

The Spring Tryout Season

The introduction of the Spring Tryout Season in the 1970s further impacted production schedules. This period, starting in March, would offer new shows an opportunity to gain acceptance with a limited number of episodes, often just 6. This change reflected the evolving viewing habits and the need to fill prime time slots with content that could sustain viewer interest.

Conclusion

The long breaks between seasons in some TV shows owe to a combination of financial, technical, and scheduling factors. While these gaps can be frustrating for fans, they also highlight the complex interplay of business, technology, and creative demands in the television industry. Understanding these factors can provide valuable insights into the production and distribution of television content.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the main reasons for long breaks between seasons?
A: Long breaks between seasons are often due to music rights, physical storage practices, syndication contracts, and production schedules.

Q: How do music rights impact the availability of TV shows?
A: Music rights can be costly to renew, and some shows may be discontinued if these rights are prohibitively expensive to pay, leading to long gaps between seasons.

Q: What changes occurred in production schedules during the 1970s?
A: The 1970s saw a move towards more flexible schedules with reduced production numbers and the introduction of the Spring Tryout Season, which offered new shows a chance to gain acceptance with limited episodes.