Have you noticed that it feels like we’re waiting longer and longer for new seasons of our favorite TV shows? You’re not alone – the breaks between seasons really are getting longer.
A recent study by Ampere Analysis shows that TV shows are taking much longer to return with new seasons. The time between seasons has nearly doubled, increasing from about 12 months in 2020 to 21 months in 2025.
The popular Netflix series Stranger Things exemplifies this trend. While its first three seasons came out between 2016 and 2019, fans had to wait until 2022 for the release of season four (which was split into two parts) and will wait until 2025 for season five, which will be released in three parts.
The report also points out that both Netflix’s Wednesday and Apple TV’s Severance experienced significant delays between their first and second seasons. Wednesday had a three-year wait, while Severance fans waited almost three years – 35 months – for new episodes.
In 2016, new seasons of scripted TV shows typically arrived about every 10 months. However, the time between seasons has been increasing, reaching 16 months in 2021 and 21 months in both 2024 and 2025.
Before 2016, most TV shows typically returned with new seasons within a year of the previous one.
While some viewers dislike the growing number of delays, the report suggests these pauses don’t always cause people to stop watching.
Interestingly, TV shows that waited over two and a half years between seasons—like Wednesday and Stranger Things—actually saw the biggest boost in viewers when their new seasons launched.
The report points out that long breaks between new content releases could be risky. A recent survey found that over half of those asked (54%) would consider canceling a subscription if they had to wait too long for the next season or installment.
According to Christen Tamisin, a Senior Analyst at Ampere Analysis, many shows that start as originals are able to keep a strong and devoted fanbase, even if there are long gaps between new seasons.
Streamers face a challenge: they need to create both high-quality, big-budget shows and consistently release new content. While long waits between major releases can build excitement, they also risk losing subscribers who might only return for those big shows.
Authors
Molly Moss writes about the newest trends in television, movies, and other entertainment for TopMob. She has a Master’s degree in Journalism and has also contributed to major news outlets like The Guardian, The Times, and The Sun Online.
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2026-05-28 17:07