Story perspectives

Shorter Seasons Reshape TV: A-List Talent & New Strategies

3/15/2026

Summary

Story summary

NBCUniversal executives said at SXSW that shorter seasons reshape the industry.
Vivian Cannon, NBCUniversal EVP of Drama Development, notes longer seasons are advantageous because costs spread across episodes.
Cannon also hopes for fewer shows with longer orders, which would require more writers.
Jennifer Gwartz, NBCUniversal executive, notes shorter seasons attract A-list talent and enable filming in Nantucket for Five-Star Weekend.
Margaret Schatzel, NBCUniversal executive, says storytelling should guide episode counts.

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Story summary

NBCUniversal executives said at SXSW that shorter seasons reshape the industry.
Vivian Cannon, NBCUniversal EVP of Drama Development, notes longer seasons are advantageous because costs spread across episodes.
Cannon also hopes for fewer shows with longer orders, which would require more writers.
Jennifer Gwartz, NBCUniversal executive, notes shorter seasons attract A-list talent and enable filming in Nantucket for Five-Star Weekend.
Margaret Schatzel, NBCUniversal executive, says storytelling should guide episode counts.