Broadcast TV Renewals Outpace Streaming, Report Finds

Broadcast television series are experiencing higher renewal rates compared to their counterparts on streaming platforms, according to a new report released on Friday by data intelligence company Luminate. The report indicates that in 2025, broadcast networks renewed 65% of their programming, a figure that significantly surpasses the 44% renewal rate observed across major subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) services. This finding challenges the prevailing assumption that streaming offers greater stability for television shows.

The Luminate report analyzed a broad spectrum of television content, examining renewal trends across different distribution models. While specific details on the methodology and the exact number of shows analyzed were not fully elaborated in the initial findings, the disparity in renewal percentages highlights a potential shift in the television industry's landscape. The report suggests that the economics and strategic priorities of traditional broadcasters may be more conducive to long-term series development than those of streaming giants, which often face pressure to constantly refresh content libraries to attract and retain subscribers.

This trend has notable implications for content creators, studios, and the overall television ecosystem. For creators, a higher renewal rate on broadcast could translate to more consistent work and a greater opportunity to develop narratives over multiple seasons. For studios, it might influence decisions about where to pitch new projects, potentially favoring broadcast networks for shows intended for longevity. The report also implicitly touches upon the financial models of each platform; broadcast networks often rely on advertising revenue and syndication, which can provide a more predictable income stream, whereas streaming services depend heavily on subscriber growth and retention, leading to more aggressive content acquisition and cancellation strategies.

Furthermore, the report's findings come at a time when the streaming market is becoming increasingly saturated and competitive. Services are facing challenges in subscriber growth and are re-evaluating their content spending. This environment may be forcing SVOD platforms to be more selective about which shows receive renewals, prioritizing those with exceptional viewership or those that can be leveraged for franchise potential. The cancellation of shows like Marvel's 'Wonder Man,' despite reportedly achieving a 52% audience retention rate, could be seen as an example of this more stringent evaluation process, where even solid performance metrics might not be enough to secure a renewal in the face of broader strategic objectives or cost-saving measures by streaming companies. The data from Luminate provides a crucial quantitative perspective on these qualitative industry shifts, offering a clearer picture of the current health and future trajectory of broadcast versus streaming television.