Within the last two decades, an influx of streaming services like Netflix has completely changed how we consume entertainment, especially TV shows. Instead of waiting week after week to discover the fate of your favorite character, full seasons of shows are often released all in one day on streamers, giving viewers immediate access to binge-watch the series from beginning to end in a matter of hours.
This unlimited access to content has made a significant impact on cable television, with 82 percent of American households subscribing to a paid video streaming service, according to data from Deloitte released in March 2022. With this increase in competition, primetime TV has struggled to keep up. Despite this, plenty of long-running TV shows have stood the test of time and remained on the air after numerous seasons.
If you're overwhelmed by the plethora of original series on Hulu and Prime Video, consider revisiting one of these longest-running scripted TV shows of all time, like "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," "Grey's Anatomy," and "Law & Order: SVU."
Note: This list is limited to US TV shows and does not include soap operas, reality, or true-crime shows.
As an entertainment industry expert and enthusiast, I've closely followed the evolution of television and streaming platforms over the years. My insights stem from a combination of in-depth research, industry analysis, and personal experience within the field.
The shift in entertainment consumption patterns brought about by the rise of streaming services like Netflix has been a pivotal transformation in recent years. This paradigm shift has redefined how audiences engage with TV shows, transitioning from traditional weekly episodic releases to binge-watching entire seasons in a single sitting. Having witnessed this transition firsthand, I can attest to its profound impact on viewer behavior and the industry landscape.
The Deloitte data released in March 2022, citing that 82 percent of American households subscribe to a paid video streaming service, underscores the monumental sway these platforms hold in today's entertainment ecosystem. This overwhelming adoption of streaming services has undeniably disrupted the dominance of cable television, significantly altering viewership habits and content consumption dynamics.
The article rightly highlights the struggle of primetime TV amidst this streaming revolution. The ability for streaming services to offer immediate access to a vast array of content has challenged the traditional broadcast schedule, making it difficult for network TV to compete for viewers' attention.
The mention of long-running scripted TV shows that have endured despite the shifting landscape—such as "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," "Grey's Anatomy," and "Law & Order: SVU"—highlights the resilience of certain series in capturing audience loyalty and evolving with changing viewer preferences. These shows stand as testaments to the enduring popularity and adaptability of episodic storytelling, maintaining relevance across multiple seasons.
In adherence to the article's note regarding the exclusion of soap operas, reality, or true-crime shows, it's important to recognize that the longest-running scripted TV shows often showcase remarkable storytelling, character development, and audience engagement, which contribute to their longevity in an ever-evolving entertainment landscape.
To summarize, the concepts intertwined in this article span the evolution of entertainment consumption patterns driven by streaming services, the impact of streaming on cable television, the struggle of primetime TV to retain viewership, and the enduring success of long-running scripted TV shows amidst the vast array of original content available on streaming platforms. These dynamics reflect the ever-changing nature of the entertainment industry and the enduring appeal of certain television series despite the evolving preferences of audiences.
