In the early 2000s, TV shows consistently returned with 20 to 24 episodes aired weekly. Shows like Friends, The Office, Lost, and 24 kept audiences deeply engaged with fast-paced, long seasons.

Today, the TV landscape has transformed dramatically. Streaming platforms, Hollywood strikes, rising budgets, and vast content libraries cause modern shows to take years to return. Series like Stranger Things, Severance, and True Detective require multiple years to produce just an 8-10 episode season. Fans often struggle to recall previous season details when new seasons finally premiere.

Why does creating high-quality TV take so long nowadays? With extended gaps between seasons, do fandoms remain loyal, or do audiences quickly shift to the latest popular show?