TV Hiatus Explained - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

AB · 12-15-2015, 04:15 PM

http://zap2it.com/2012/04/tv-hiatus-...ng-the-season/

Regulus · 12-17-2015, 11:22 PM

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.

Mace Dolex · 12-18-2015, 01:01 AM

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.

HarryWild · 02-03-2016, 06:03 AM

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!

Mace Dolex · 02-21-2016, 03:22 PM

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.

mets82 · 02-21-2016, 06:29 PM

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.

HarryWild · 02-22-2016, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Regulus

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.

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!

James28 · 07-20-2026, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mace Dolex

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.

I heard that one fo the realities of cable television is, you gotta wait, because some original series on cable or SVoD networks simply aren't going to air their new seasons on an annual basis. For example, there was a six-year wait between the eighth and ninth seasons of HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm.

After being so used to hiatuses between seasons not exceeding a full year, how does anyone adjust to this reality?

12-15-2015, 04:15 PM	#1
AB Member Eternal Member Forum Icon Join Date: Dec 26, 2006 Location: The South Posts: 59,428	TV Hiatus Explained http://zap2it.com/2012/04/tv-hiatus-...ng-the-season/ Attached Images

12-17-2015, 11:22 PM	#2
Regulus Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 07, 2011 Location: Port Orange, Florida Avatar - Poiuyt Posts: 3,374	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.
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02-21-2016, 06:29 PM	#6
mets82 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Mar 14, 2011 Location: Connecticut Posts: 5,060	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.
	__________________ http://www.superbowlgreatness.blogspot.com/ Please check out my blog. I vent on all things. TV, sports etc. you name it. Its also a work in progress. Check out and see what you think.

12-18-2015, 01:01 AM	#3
Mace Dolex Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 12, 2013 Posts: 2,670	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.

02-03-2016, 06:03 AM	#4
HarryWild Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 16, 2012 Posts: 454	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!

02-21-2016, 03:22 PM	#5
Mace Dolex Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 12, 2013 Posts: 2,670	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.