Major TV and streaming companies are starting a new trend that’s helping the fantasy genre thrive. While fantasy shows have always been popular, they can be risky investments. Once a great series gains an audience, it’s hard to keep viewers engaged. Unlike other genres, fantasy shows need to grab viewers immediately, or they likely won’t stick with the story through multiple seasons.
Many fantasy TV shows have struggled to stay on the air. Netflix, in particular, has often canceled shows that didn’t attract enough viewers, leaving series like Cursed, Lockwood & Co., Warrior Nun, and Shadow and Bone with unresolved storylines. But platforms like Prime Video and HBO have started a promising trend: finding ways to continue these shows, and other streamers are now following suit.
HBO & Prime Video Have Started A Valuable Fantasy TV Trend
As a TV critic, I’ve noticed a shift in how shows are made, particularly in fantasy. For years, most series, no matter the genre, started with no clear ending – the writers had a general idea, but how long it would last depended on how well it was received. Networks naturally want to keep a successful show going as long as possible. But lately, and this is really interesting, we’re seeing more fantasy projects that plan a specific number of seasons from the beginning. It’s a refreshing change, and suggests a more focused, intentional storytelling approach.
HBO and Prime Video are leading the way in a new approach to television. Unlike Game of Thrones, which continued until its creators decided it was time to finish, the prequel House of the Dragon was designed from the beginning to last four seasons. Similarly, shortly after Rings of Power debuted, Prime Video revealed it had planned a five-season arc for the show. Netflix is now doing the same, announcing that the fantasy series The Witcher will also have five seasons.
This is a smart way to make TV shows, especially fantasy, because it tells viewers what to expect. Fantasy shows usually require a big time commitment, as they often run for many seasons. If a fantasy show doesn’t grab your attention early on, it’s easy to stop watching. But knowing a show will have a limited number of episodes makes it easier to stick with it, even if it takes a little while to get good.
Set Seasons Could Have Saved The Legacies Of Past Fantasy TV Shows
It’s frustrating when a TV show that starts strong just keeps going long after its story has run its course. Often, producers drag things out to earn more money, even when it hurts the show’s quality. As seasons pile up, viewers lose interest, and the show’s initial brilliance fades. Eventually, many series like Once Upon a Time and True Blood end up with a negative reputation.
Many popular fantasy shows have struggled because they didn’t initially decide how long the story would take to tell. We’ve seen that shows like Rings of Power and The Witcher, despite some criticism, have maintained a steady audience because they had a clear plan. If this trend continues, we’re likely to see fewer shows cancelled and fewer frustrating, unresolved endings.
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2025-11-29 20:30