How many seasons should a TV series have?

It depends. As long as there are stories to tell, and the quality level is maintained, there's no creative reason to end the show after a few seasons.

Some shows go past their prime and repetition and mediocrity set in. Other shows are cancelled before their time.

I prefer longer seasons. For example, I like Miss Scarlet and The Duke. But at only six episodes per season, and it seems the season ends just as it's getting started.

Even "8-10 episodes" per season seems too short to me. I think something like 20 episodes is more appropriate.

Ultimately it just depends. I watch daytime soap operas like Days of our Lives and General Hospital. Both of those have been going on for like 60yrs and make 250 episodes a year. They have their ups and downs, but overall I think they’re doing fine and can keep going indefinitely.

I don’t really care for procedurals like Law and Order, but procedurals are another type of show than can run many many seasons and do 20+ episodes a year.

Serialized or arc driven shows are definitely better off doing fewer seasons and fewer episodes. Anywhere from 4-7 seasons for most shows like that, and I agree about 8-10 episodes seasons being best.

I agree - it all depends, really.

"The Goldbergs" lasted 10 seasons - in my opinion, 3 more than it should have.

"South Park" has had 25 seasons.  The creators WANT it to end, but Comedy Central (at the time) kept throwing money at them to keep the series going.
The newest seasons - have had their moments.


"Corner Gas", a cult favourite in Canada, lasted 6 seasons.  I'm thinking it could have gone for MAYBE another couple of seasons.  
However, Brent Butt, the show's creator, decided that it should end after 6 seasons - before the concept got stale.

They did try "Corner Gas Animated", which lasted 2 seasons. 

It had its moments. 


Joker's Wilde

Yeah, I'm still disappointed that Star Trek: Enterprise got cancelled after its fourth season - just as it starting firing on all cylinders, er, dilithium crystals.

Of course, Star Trek: TOS got cancelled after three seasons, but at least we got a fourth season in animated form!

I think 5 is usually a good number, though it depends. Game of Thrones could have gone on for another couple seasons, and sitcoms can pretty much last forever as long as they remain funny (ie, It's Always Sunny)..

I think five seasons is good for any non-sitcom series. Seven if it's good, but after that is when shows start getting stale.

5 generally should be the minimum. Less than that is usually disappointing.

The perfect amount has been shown to be about 7 seasons, as quite a few of the greatest shows have 7.

Of course there are exceptions, and some may need more. It depends on the show and episode count etc. Something epic and complex with many characters involved like Game of Thrones for example, would need more like 9-10.