http://zap2it.com/2012/04/tv-hiatus-explained-why-your-favorite-shows-take-breaks-during-the-season/

In the 1950s it wasn't unusual to have as many as 35 to 40 episodes a season. By the end of the 1960s 26 episodes were the norm, today a season may have 13-22 episodes a season. From the 1950s to the 1980s an average one-hour show only had eight to ten minutes of commercials, today a show can have over 20 minutes of commercials per hour. :angryfire

I kind of knew this practice the networks had because I used to be an avid TV Guide collector and would keep score of new episodes versus reruns.

Today, a new show needs good rating in the first two shows or it is canceled by the TV execs and the rest of the episodes are not shown! LOL!

I hate when cable dramas make 8 episodes into a season then completely go into hiatus for almost a year without even showing reruns so people can play catch up for the new season.

That's why I think shows fail sometimes. I mean you try to get into a show and either they go on repeats or like Mace said, they get taken off for a year and you don't see the reruns of the shows to catch up.

In the 1950s it wasn't unusual to have as many as 35 to 40 episodes a season. By the end of the 1960s 26 episodes were the norm, today a season may have 13-22 episodes a season. From the 1950s to the 1980s an average one-hour show only had eight to ten minutes of commercials, today a show can have over 20 minutes of commercials per hour. :angryfire

In the 50s and early 60s show had a primary sponsor that carried the cost of the season/year and has secondary commercials that complemented the primary sponsors commercials! That change with the Nielsen rating system and many more commercials and no sponsor!