Canceled shows on Prime Video are proving the weekly release was best for Outlander

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Canceled shows on Prime Video are proving the weekly release was best for Outlander

As a dedicated Outlander fan who’s been navigating the Scottish Highlands through the TV screen for years now, I can confidently say that the weekly release format has been nothing short of magical for this series. You see, I remember those days when we had to wait for DVDs to binge-watch our favorite shows – it felt like a lifetime ago!

As a devoted fan of Outlander myself, I’ve pondered over the idea of a binge-watch release. However, I’ve come to appreciate the weekly release format for its significant role in the show’s triumph.

As a gamer, for ages I’d been accustomed to a new dose every week. The thrill was in the wait for DVDs to marathon my favorite shows. But then along came Netflix, shaking up the norm. Other streaming platforms jumped on the bandwagon, yet premium cable networks remained steadfast in their weekly rollouts.

Originally, “Outlander” made its debut on Starz, a high-end cable network. This meant that new episodes were released weekly, which turned out to be beneficial for the show’s popularity. The recent cancellations of shows like “My Lady Jane” on Prime Video serve as evidence of this.

A binge model would have seen Outlander fail

In a model where episodes are released all at once, viewers would have had to watch the entire series immediately to keep up with the show. Back then, we didn’t worry so much about shows getting canceled after only one season because viewership numbers weren’t as crucial. Production costs weren’t as steep as they are now, and Netflix hadn’t developed a reputation for abruptly ending shows.

It’s my belief that the show wouldn’t have garnered the popularity it did if it were not for the binge-watching format.

Indeed, I believe it’s unlikely that the series would have faltered after merely one season. The first season held an advantage due to the existing fanbase from the book and the anticipation for the adaptation of their cherished story. Its immediate popularity led to a swift renewal even after just a handful of episodes. It was the second season, however, where potential issues may have arisen.

A long wait between Outlander seasons

It’s clear that the extended period of anticipation was testing for the devoted fans of Outlander. Granted, they didn’t have to endure a lengthy wait for Season 2, but perhaps the delay felt excessive to certain enthusiasts.

At this stage, the show primarily appealed to fans of the original book and Starz subscribers. However, its global availability on Netflix significantly boosted its popularity. We can attribute the massive viewership of Season 5 on Starz to its move to Netflix because, at that time, Starz wasn’t as widely used for streaming content. Those unaware of the series prior to the books had to discover it through different channels, and Starz didn’t have enough reach back then.

Enduring the extended breaks between each season’s weekly episodes was already challenging. Prolonging it with a binge-release would have made the wait even more unbearable. Starz needed to assess the series’ performance during its initial month, ensuring viewers stuck around till the end. After making a renewal or cancellation decision, there comes the production process. Extending Droughtlander (the long gap between seasons) would have been significantly longer, and we can already see the complaints about its current length.

Delaying the release could result in a decrease of viewers over time. On the other hand, releasing episodes on a weekly basis ensures that the series remains fresh in fans’ minds for approximately two to three months. In many instances, a binge-watch release can cause the show to be quickly forgotten within a month.

Instead of savoring it as a binge-watch, I equally enjoy the weekly rollout for the prosperity of series. Shows like “Outlander” have thrived with this weekly format.

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2024-08-22 13:38