TMC
2013-03-30 23:54:35 UTC
http://officialfan.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=offtopic&action=display&thread=469353
65 half-hour episodes are traditionally required for most children's
shows to reach syndication (I believe that it's now 52 episodes). It's
also where most of the shows end their run, but there are exceptions
to the rule where a show lasts more than 65 episodes (He-Man, G.I.
Joe, Transformers, TMNT, and recently, My Little Pony: FIM, which was
renewed for a fourth season).
Why do most animated/children's shows end at 65 episodes, even at the
height of a show's popularity?
I think that as long as the show can run with the big dogs, more
episodes would be produced until the writers call it a day and end the
show on their terms. OTOH, there are shows that were cancelled before
hitting the 65-episode benchmark.
« Reply #1 Today at 5:22pm »
Probably a cost thing, plus networks seem to prefer generally to not
build dynasties and instead just get a few years worth of success out
of a show then dump it and move to something else.
I can think of a lot more than that to get more than 65 episodes,
though. Phineas & Ferb is still going at over 100 in a truly shocking
but pleasantly surprising change for Disney, Kim Possible (okay, that
was cancelled at 65 episodes, but at least it came back for a fourth
season that had like three good episodes), Teen Titans, probably
Justice League Unlimited (dunno for sure, never really watched it),
Powerpuff Girls, SpongeBob...
« Reply #2 Today at 5:28pm »
There's also the "quality vs. quantity" issue, and the effects it has
on writers.
« Reply #3 Today at 5:29pm »
65 episodes is the magic number needed for syndication.
« Reply #4 Today at 5:29pm »
I'm guessing that it has to do with the animation lead time and by and
large the networks and studios have probably estimated that the lead
time to complete 65 episodes is about the max length they can take
before the audience will lose interest and move until something new.
« Reply #5 Today at 5:31pm »
I read that it was because kids care less about seeing reruns than
adults do, so there's no reason for studios to spend more to make more
episodes if it won't affect viewership and merchandise sales that
much.
« Reply #7 Today at 5:46pm »
5 times a week for 13 weeks.
65 half-hour episodes are traditionally required for most children's
shows to reach syndication (I believe that it's now 52 episodes). It's
also where most of the shows end their run, but there are exceptions
to the rule where a show lasts more than 65 episodes (He-Man, G.I.
Joe, Transformers, TMNT, and recently, My Little Pony: FIM, which was
renewed for a fourth season).
Why do most animated/children's shows end at 65 episodes, even at the
height of a show's popularity?
I think that as long as the show can run with the big dogs, more
episodes would be produced until the writers call it a day and end the
show on their terms. OTOH, there are shows that were cancelled before
hitting the 65-episode benchmark.
« Reply #1 Today at 5:22pm »
Probably a cost thing, plus networks seem to prefer generally to not
build dynasties and instead just get a few years worth of success out
of a show then dump it and move to something else.
I can think of a lot more than that to get more than 65 episodes,
though. Phineas & Ferb is still going at over 100 in a truly shocking
but pleasantly surprising change for Disney, Kim Possible (okay, that
was cancelled at 65 episodes, but at least it came back for a fourth
season that had like three good episodes), Teen Titans, probably
Justice League Unlimited (dunno for sure, never really watched it),
Powerpuff Girls, SpongeBob...
« Reply #2 Today at 5:28pm »
There's also the "quality vs. quantity" issue, and the effects it has
on writers.
« Reply #3 Today at 5:29pm »
65 episodes is the magic number needed for syndication.
« Reply #4 Today at 5:29pm »
I'm guessing that it has to do with the animation lead time and by and
large the networks and studios have probably estimated that the lead
time to complete 65 episodes is about the max length they can take
before the audience will lose interest and move until something new.
« Reply #5 Today at 5:31pm »
I read that it was because kids care less about seeing reruns than
adults do, so there's no reason for studios to spend more to make more
episodes if it won't affect viewership and merchandise sales that
much.
« Reply #7 Today at 5:46pm »
5 times a week for 13 weeks.