It’s more efficient to film 20+ episodes of one show than 10+ episodes each of two shows, and a single series is more likely to retain viewers over time, both of which make the longer form more appealing to broadcasters. Every time you swap out one show for another on your schedule, you have to win over the audience again.
Streaming doesn’t have to fill a schedule, they just need to have something that will bring in new subscribers and retain existing ones. A new 10 episode series is about as much of a draw as a new 20 episode series. More new shows is more novelty and more chances to peak someone’s interest. If something’s a big hit they can give it another season. If not, it can just fill out the catalog and give the appearance of value.
The incentives driving them are different.
It’s more efficient to film 20+ episodes of one show than 10+ episodes each of two shows, and a single series is more likely to retain viewers over time, both of which make the longer form more appealing to broadcasters. Every time you swap out one show for another on your schedule, you have to win over the audience again.
Streaming doesn’t have to fill a schedule, they just need to have something that will bring in new subscribers and retain existing ones. A new 10 episode series is about as much of a draw as a new 20 episode series. More new shows is more novelty and more chances to peak someone’s interest. If something’s a big hit they can give it another season. If not, it can just fill out the catalog and give the appearance of value.