Just to add to your case against the 22-ep season for a streamer: remember that scripted network and cable shows were deficit financed, meaning that the network/channel paid a license fee per episode that was less than what it cost to produce the episode - the only reason studios would go into debt for long seasons was because if it was a hit they would make huge bank in syndication & global rights (and having lots of episodes was pure profit). But streaming platforms typically pay "cost plus" per episode, covering production costs plus a modest profit - making the cost of a long season huge for the platform, especially since it's unlikely to get any direct revenue off the series even if it's a hit. Arguably AVOD and FAST platform have incentive for longer seasons, as that's more real estate to sell ads, but I don't think there's enough revenue in those ads to justify it (yet).
As far as I know, the linear channel is staying. At least for now. The linear channel has really only been a place to air stuff licensed for the SVOD and it's been ages since anything new was produced for the network. So I suspect it will be another one of WBD's zombie networks. Lots of reruns and old programming.
Just to add to your case against the 22-ep season for a streamer: remember that scripted network and cable shows were deficit financed, meaning that the network/channel paid a license fee per episode that was less than what it cost to produce the episode - the only reason studios would go into debt for long seasons was because if it was a hit they would make huge bank in syndication & global rights (and having lots of episodes was pure profit). But streaming platforms typically pay "cost plus" per episode, covering production costs plus a modest profit - making the cost of a long season huge for the platform, especially since it's unlikely to get any direct revenue off the series even if it's a hit. Arguably AVOD and FAST platform have incentive for longer seasons, as that's more real estate to sell ads, but I don't think there's enough revenue in those ads to justify it (yet).
Is the Motor Trend linear channel going away? My dad will be pissed if so...
Thanks for the coverage as always
As far as I know, the linear channel is staying. At least for now. The linear channel has really only been a place to air stuff licensed for the SVOD and it's been ages since anything new was produced for the network. So I suspect it will be another one of WBD's zombie networks. Lots of reruns and old programming.
Thanks, just the way my dad likes it....