Why are there so many long breaks on American TV?

Question

Why, half way through a season, does American TV decide to take a break for anything up to 2 months?

It's happened twice in the current season of Heroes and throughout the history of Smallville (and probably most other things I don't watch).

I hope it doesn't catch on over here!

So why do they break? Surely viewers lose interest (like I did with Lost Season 3).

Answer 1

Math.

There are 36 weeks between September and May in the TV season. Shows usually produce 22 episodes a season.

A network wants to air original episodes in November, February and May when the ratings in the US are measured to set ad rates. That's 12 of the 22 episodes right there. (3 "sweeps" months with 1 episode per week) So they only have 10 new episodes to spread out over September, October, December, January, March and April. Occasionally, a show will be pre-empted by a special (like the Oscars), but usually there's only 10 episodes or so to spread out over a few months.

People don't watch re-runs as much as they used to, especially for serialized shows (like Heroes, for example).

Networks have found it's easier to rest a show for a month than to show re-runs that no one watches. People may lose interest, but so far, most of the shows haven't been hurt too much by the long layoff. I think what hurt Lost is that the first half of season three wasn't very good.

If the rating system didnt put so much emphasis on November, February and May, you wouldn't have this dilemma.

Answer 2

You have the new shows, then you have the time where they show re-runs. Usually re-runs are in the Summer. Depending on when the show airs, the season finale (usually a great show, which leaves you wanting more, but you'll have to wait until next season) can happen either in the late Summer, or early Spring.

Then you have Sweeps Month. That's the month where the networks get their info on which channel and which show gets the most viewers. I think it's in the late Fall, around November, although I can't remember. When that happens, all of the shows bust out their "special episodes". Usually you can tell which shows they are, since they always start off "on a very special episode of Friends. Rachel takes Ecstacy with Ross aboard a plane while Joey has a heart attack back home". That kind of crap.

Answer 3

Bringing back old programmes that have been popular after a gap brings back millions of viewers who may have left that Channel. As for breaks during programmes, because there is no equivalent to the BBC (as in UK) or CBC(as in Canada) or ABC (as in Australia), in USA. nearly all radio and TV stations over there are there to make money for their owners, and to stay in business.

The more and longer breaks they have the more advertising revenue comes in so the more cash comes in. They do not care a damn if they lose viewers because switching to another channel just does not alleviate the viewer's irritaion as all Channels do much the same! But then over that side of the pond people do not get heavily taxed for the privilege of watching TV like they do over in the UK?

Answer 4

The Writers Guild of united states of america, it fairly is each American screenwriter for the two video clips and tv, replaced into on strike for slightly over 3 months. production on maximum exhibits close down thoroughly. The strike ended approximately 3 weeks in the past, whether it takes time to get new episodes waiting, on account that they might desire to start up via writing new scripts. Dramas oftentimes take 6-8 weeks to flow from this degree to easily being on the air. For some sequence, like Heroes and reformatory ruin, it replaced into desperate to in basic terms end the season early. reformatory ruin's season finale replaced into episode 13. For different exhibits, anticipate to work out some new episodes (possibly 3-5) in overdue April, for the main area.

Answer 5

basically it has alot to do with advertising...the budget does not always stay the same and they have to plan what they need to spend the money on..if the show sucks at first or is a new show, the budget is usually small and the project can be made in a reasonable amount of time, but as the shows get better and have more viewers, their budgets get bigger, and they can do more, and doing more means more editing, etc...

Heroes is on hiatus because they need to film the last episodes...they did not know how to write the show in case it got cancelled, and once it was renewed, they had to go back make changes, etc..

Answer 6

I agree. It screws up my recording sessions on DVR too! In a 30 minute span of a show there are a least 3 3-4 minute breaks, if not longer! There should be one advertising block and uninterruptable programming for TV shows.

Answer 7

They find it better than creating a pilot/rerun season between seasons to just avoid sporting events and holidays or major events. It drags the season on forever.

Answer 8

I don't know but it screws up my DVR because if it's a long break my DVR just quits recording! It's driving me crazy.....and now, the new seasons of certain show start at different times so you never know what's new. Oh man it's so ridiculous!

Answer 9

yeah noticed that myself im downloading loads from usa it looks like they go off air for christmas but after christmas Desperate housewives had one episode in march and then you have to wait a month for the next one to be aired ,to keep up to date on the air dates i always check out the dates on http://www.tv.com
lost is back on at moment and looks so far so good for no breaks !

Answer 10

we just have too many shows to air on American TV. taking a break with some shows will not destroy its reputation, but i do agree with you that some will