Virgin River is Now Netflix’s Longest Running Drama Ever (And Here’s Why That Matters)

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As a gamer who has spent countless hours binge-watching shows on Netflix, I can confidently say that the news of Virgin River reaching its seventh season is a game-changer! It’s like finding that secret level in your favorite game that you never knew existed but are thrilled to explore.

Netflix generally doesn’t allow its original shows to continue beyond a few seasons, but there are some cost-effective hits that break this pattern. One such series is “Virgin River“. This romantic drama is scheduled to premiere its sixth season in December, and surprisingly, Netflix has not yet decided to end it. In fact, a recent announcement revealed that “Virgin River ” now shares the record for the longest run on Netflix.

Approximately two months before the debut of Virgin River’s sixth season on Netflix, they announced that the show had been renewed for a seventh season. This means that Virgin River is now one of only three Netflix original scripted series to reach the seventh season milestone, joining Orange Is the New Black and Grace and Frankie. Among these three shows, Virgin River is the only one that’s still producing new episodes, giving it a good chance to continue for an eighth season.

Among Netflix’s most popular shows, you might not immediately think of “Virgin River.” However, this series has managed to survive longer than the majority of titles that Netflix has introduced throughout its history. Shows like “The Crown” and “House of Cards” each ran for six seasons, while “Stranger Things” will conclude after its fifth season.

The enduring popularity of ‘Virgin River’ has significant implications for Netflix, as it could reshape their strategy in producing original content. Essentially, ‘Virgin River’ provides a model that Netflix has been searching for, resembling traditional TV shows more closely – the type of programming Netflix needs to thrive further.

As a gamer diving into the world of Virgin River, I’ve noticed it sticks to traditional ways in a refreshingly straightforward manner. Primarily, its budget and production aren’t inflated by big-name actors, flashy set pieces, or heavy special effects. Instead, it revolves around a single town, which means the sets can be reused across seasons, streamlining the production process. This consistency not only keeps costs down but also ensures that new seasons roll out annually, keeping me hooked year after year.

“Virgin River,” which debuted in 2019, now boasts six seasons under its belt. Conversely, shows like “Stranger Things” have only managed four seasons since starting in 2016. Interestingly, even though it premiered a year after “Bridgerton,” the latter has released just three seasons, which is half as many as “Virgin River.

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Fans of TV series on Netflix have often expressed irritation because they must endure long waits between seasons of their preferred shows. However, unlike many other shows, Virgin River has consistently delivered at least one new season annually since its premiere, and it seems this trend won’t be ending soon.

It might be crucial for Netflix that it now possesses another series with a substantial number of episodes. Long-standing shows have frequently thrived in the streaming realm, an area where original Netflix programs have faced challenges. Subscribers often adopt a habit of waiting to see if a show is renewed after one or two seasons due to this pattern, which has been problematic for the streaming service. Once viewers become invested in a series, they can binge-watch all episodes quite quickly.

It was this library of available episodes that largely contributed to the phenomenal streaming success of “Suits” in 2023. When Netflix subscribers stumbled upon “Suits” last summer, they found it boasting eight seasons worth of content. With such a wealth of episodes to choose from, viewers had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the series over several weeks or even months.

Few Netflix series manage it, but “Virgin River” has reached nearly 70 episodes, offering a substantial amount of viewing material for enthusiasts once they start watching.

To keep producing successful television series, Netflix should consider creating shows similar to “Virgin River.” While going after high-budget intellectual properties can attract viewers initially, these titles may lack sustainability to support an entire network. “Virgin River” presents a viable template for future projects, but whether or not Netflix chooses to use it remains to be seen.

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2024-10-28 00:40