More Orders In 2026-27 Season

Key Points:

• Broadcast TV has faced significant challenges in the 21st century due to DVRs, cable originals, and especially streaming becoming the dominant way people watch TV, leading to a decline in traditional network ratings.
• Despite lower on-air ratings, network shows remain popular on streaming platforms, with media companies leveraging both broadcast and streaming to support each other, creating optimism among industry professionals.
• The network model’s consistency and stability, offering regular seasons with more episodes, appeals to creators, writers, and audiences, contrasting with the shorter, less frequent streaming seasons.
• Executives and showrunners highlight benefits of network TV such as greater creative control, immediate audience feedback through ratings, and better marketing, which help shows avoid getting "lost" as some streaming titles do.
• The broadcast networks are increasing scripted series orders and revitalizing pilot seasons, while improved measurement of streaming audiences confirms the complementary relationship between network and streaming platforms, fueling industry optimism for the future.