TV Season Gaps Hit Record High, Study Finds

A new Ampere Analysis study shows the average wait between seasons on major streaming platforms has risen to about 21 months in 2024–25, up from 10 months in 2016 and 16 months in 2021. Longer gaps are common for sci‑fi/fantasy and other VFX-heavy shows, driven by bigger production schedules and cinematic ambitions. While some high-profile delays build anticipation, they also carry the risk of subscribers canceling, with about 54% of respondents indicating they’d quit a service over long waits. The piece cites examples like HBO’s House of the Dragon, Apple TV+’s Severance, and Netflix’s Stranger Things to illustrate the broader trend toward extended hiatuses between seasons.