The Surprising Truth About the Length of British TV Seasons Compared to American Ones
Exploring the disparities between British and American TV, this article delves into the factors contributing to the shorter seasons of British shows, including audience size, writing team dynamics, absence of syndication rules, and cultural influences
British TV shows are typically shorter compared to American ones, leading to the question of why. Although there are exceptions, most British TV shows only last a few seasons with fewer episodes per season. In contrast, American TV productions often have numerous seasons with a substantial number of episodes.
While there are some rare instances of longer British TV shows, there are also shorter American productions. HBO, a highly regarded TV production company in the United States, usually creates seasons that are only as long as the story requires. Nonetheless, upon closer examination, it becomes apparent that the top British TV shows, ranging from BBC dramas to ITV productions, are considerably shorter than their American counterparts. This discrepancy can be attributed to various factors surrounding each country's TV culture.
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The British TV Industry Plays To A Smaller Audience
One of the reasons why British TV shows are shorter is due to the smaller size of the U.K. In contrast, the United States is much larger, which leads to a greater demand for longer TV shows to meet the needs of its larger target audience. The production of TV shows with 20+ episodes per season would not be financially viable in the U.K. as the smaller audience numbers would likely result in losses for the respective production companies.
In the U.S., however, the scenario is quite different. American TV shows face a significantly greater demand, mainly due to the vastness of the country. Consequently, American production companies are capable of churning out extensive quantities of TV shows, encompassing numerous episodes and seasons. This is primarily because there is nearly a guarantee that these shows will consistently attract a sizable audience, thanks to the sheer size of the country itself.
British TV Shows Have Smaller Writing Teams
When it comes to the production side of the television industry, British productions often have smaller writing teams. This can be attributed to the fact that the country itself is smaller, resulting in smaller production companies. As a consequence, most British TV shows have writing teams consisting of only three to ten individuals. Consequently, these smaller teams are unable to create seasons with more than 20 episodes like their counterparts in the United States. The limited workforce in Britain simply cannot handle the workload without facing extreme overwork.
As American TV companies tend to have a more extensive hiring process, their writing teams grow significantly larger compared to their British counterparts. This is one of the reasons why American TV shows tend to have a higher number of episodes, as the larger team of writers allows for better organization and prioritization of multiple storylines. In contrast, British TV shows are often shorter due to the smaller size of their writing teams. This difference in the production processes between the two countries plays a significant role in shaping the lengths of their respective TV shows.
The US Syndication Rule Doesn't Exist In Britain
The difference in episode lengths between British and American TV shows can be attributed, in part, to the absence of the syndication rule in Britain. In the United States, TV shows must meet a minimum requirement of 100 episodes to qualify for syndication. Once a show enters syndication, it can be rerun, generating additional revenue for its creators. Consequently, American TV productions often strive to reach this benchmark, resulting in longer seasons with a greater number of episodes.
The Cultural Factor Behind Britain's Shorter TV Seasons
In the United Kingdom, there is no syndication rule like in other countries. This means that any television show, regardless of its duration, can be aired multiple times in the UK, depending on its popularity. An excellent example of this is the sitcom Fawlty Towers, which has gained tremendous popularity in the UK and is constantly rerun on British television, despite having only 12 episodes. In contrast, a show of similar length in the United States would not enter syndication and therefore would not be eligible for reruns. Consequently, British TV shows do not feel the need to reach a minimum of 100 episodes, as is often the case with American TV series.
In Britain, there exists a notable cultural distinction that leads to much shorter television shows. British TV networks and audiences prioritize quality rather than quantity. This emphasis on "quality over quantity" is more commonly seen in U.K. productions compared to their U.S. counterparts. For instance, the British version of The Office concluded after only two seasons, as creator Ricky Gervais believed the endpoint was satisfactory. In contrast, the American adaptation of the show lasted nine seasons, highlighting the British TV industry's lesser concern for quantity.
Although it is not to suggest that British TV is superior to U.S. shows in terms of quality, it is worth noting that there are instances where British TV shows have overstayed their welcome. On the other hand, American companies tend to prioritize quantity over quality. While American TV shows often maintain a high standard despite their long duration, it is more prevalent in the U.S. to find shows that have become overly prolonged. Conversely, British TV shows often embrace the notion of less is more, which explains why they are generally shorter in comparison to American productions.
