We've all said it, but let's face the facts: There is simply too much TV.
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A full 409 scripted series aired across broadcast networks, basic and pay cable networks, and over-the-top content delivery networks like Hulu and Netflix -- handily beating 2014's already record number of 371.
"I long ago lost the ability to keep track of every scripted series," FX CEO John Landgraf said at the TCA Press Tour this summer.
By contrast, there were just 211 series on air in total in 2009. That means there's been a 94 percent increase in scripted television. The greatest increase has been on broadcast and basic cable, but streaming is on the rise as well -- Netflix alone released 10 new original series this year, with plans for over 30 in 2016.
"This was the third consecutive year that scripted series count has grown across each distribution platform -– broadcast, basic and pay cable, streaming -– led by significant gains in basic cable and digital services," said Julie Piepenkotter, Executive Vice President of Research for FX Networks. "This statistic is staggering and almost unimaginable from where they were a decade ago.”
Landgraf predicted that the number of scripted TV shows would peak this year or next before finally decreasing, which at least promises overwhelmed viewers a chance to catch up on our seemingly insurmountable "To Watch" lists. Or maybe we'll go back to reading books.
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BONUS: Is Netflix killing television?