Nielsen’s mid-2026 data show Shrinking is Apple TV+’s most-watched original series so far this year, with 5.2 billion minutes viewed, though Stranger Things and The Pitt lead the overall streaming minutes.
Vince Gilligan expresses his nervousness about leaving the Heisenberg universe to create 'Pluribus,' his first original series in years, which features a miserably cynical protagonist and a high budget, showcasing his storytelling evolution and industry concerns about originality versus IP reliance.
Netflix releases several new and intriguing scripted original series in September, including two titles featured at TIFF, making it a notable month for television enthusiasts.
Apple TV+ has increased its monthly subscription price by 30% to $12.99 for new customers, with existing subscribers being charged at this new rate upon renewal. The service, known for original series like The Morning Show and Ted Lasso, maintains its annual rate at $99.99 and has not previously raised prices since October 2023. The platform continues to produce high-profile content, including F1: The Movie, and has received a record 81 Emmy nominations, reflecting strong content performance.
USA Network is making a comeback in scripted television after a five-year hiatus, with plans to produce lower-budget original dramas like The Rainmaker and Anna Pigeon, aiming to attract viewers and buyers as it repositions as an independent network post-NBCUniversal spinoff, under new leadership and strategic direction.
FX's annual tally of original series revealed a 12% drop in scripted titles on air in 2023, marking the first reduction in over a decade. This decline comes after a peak of 600 shows in 2022, and FX Chairman John Landgraf's prediction of a decline has been proven right. The industry is experiencing a contraction, with many attributing the decrease to a mismatch of money and human attention in producing 600 television series. The long-tail of production has softened the decline, and the number of new shows in the first half of the year was not disclosed. FX's list includes original English-language scripted series but does not include foreign-language shows, kids titles, or short-form content.
In 2023, streaming TV saw a surge in viewership for library series like 'Suits,' 'Grey’s Anatomy,' and 'Gilmore Girls,' which claimed the top 10 spots in Nielsen’s rankings, marking the first time all top 10 spots were acquired shows. The top 10 library series accounted for a significant portion of streaming viewing, with Suits alone generating over 57.7 billion minutes of viewing after becoming part of Netflix’s library. The success of library shows highlights a shift in viewer trends towards familiar, comfort content, prompting streaming platforms to prioritize deep catalogs and content licensing deals with other media companies.
The Hollywood Reporter discusses the current state of the TV industry after the WGA strike, highlighting the content contraction that is occurring. The total number of original U.S. scripted series is expected to shrink in 2023, signaling a shift from the era of "Peak TV." Conglomerates are consolidating platforms, overall deals are becoming less common, budgets are shrinking, and cancellations are happening more frequently. Despite these challenges, showrunners remain optimistic and emphasize the importance of finding original ideas that resonate with viewers.
NASA is launching NASA+, a new streaming service that will provide free, ad-free access to a wide range of space-related content, including original series, news, feature stories, live event coverage, interviews, and more. The platform will be available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, and Fire TV, and will also offer access to an archive of over 21,000 images, NASA Television, podcasts, mission information, and Third Rock Radio. The official NASA mobile app has also been updated to provide details on missions, climate data, research, and Augmented Reality 3D models.
Netflix has released the trailer for its upcoming original series, "The Railway Men," which tells the story of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy. The series follows railway employees and the media's quest for truth, shedding light on the heroes who saved the city. Premiering on November 18, 2023, the four-part series is a character-driven thriller inspired by true events.
Paramount+ has continued its purge of programming by scrapping a number of original series, original movies, and Nickelodeon content, including Inside Amy Schumer, From Cradle to Stage, and Fantasy Football. The move comes after the streaming service canceled and scrapped four series last week. The low-profile move has disappointed Emmy voters hoping to watch Inside Amy Schumer before tonight's voting deadline.