Broadcast giants smash streaming—65% shows renewed vs 44% on platforms.

A new data‑intelligence study released on Friday shows that broadcast television networks renewed a larger share of their series in 2025 than any major streaming service. , 65% of broadcast output was extended for another season, compared with just 44% of programming across the leading subscription‑video‑on‑demand (SVOD) platforms.

The report challenges the notion that the streaming era automatically favors online platforms for long‑term survival.

The research highlights several structural differences between the two distribution models. Broadcast networks operate within tighter budget constraints, fewer programming slots, and clearer viewership data. These factors simplify renewal decisions and mean that choices are typically made well before a season concludes.

Streaming services, by contrast, produce a high volume of content and often leave shows in an indefinite limbo, with cancellations occurring at a higher rate but not always announced swiftly.

A notable illustration is Netflix’s “The Politician,” which has not returned since 2020 and still has no formal status announcement. Even so, the report points out that Netflix had the highest renewal rate among all major SVODs over recent years, re‑upping roughly 50% of its U.S. slate on average from 2022 to 2025.

## Broadcast Advantages and Streaming Challenges

Broadcast networks’ stricter budgets and fixed season schedules create a streamlined process for evaluating series performance. The annual return of the broadcast season forces decisions to be made quickly, often before a full data set is available.

This urgency can lead to early renewals based on early indicators, as well as swift cancellations when expectations are not met.

Streaming platforms, in contrast, generate large volumes of content and have more flexible timelines. Because they can afford to keep shows in limbo, cancellations tend to occur later and sometimes without official confirmation.

Luminate’s data indicates that new hits with long‑running potential are increasingly difficult to spot: freshman series represented only 42% of U.S. scripted output across major streamers in 2025, suggesting a shift from an oversaturated market.

The study also notes that audience retention is a more reliable metric for streaming success than raw view counts. Luminate identifies a 50% retention rate—meaning at least half of the viewers who started the first episode watch through to the end—as a key benchmark. Yet even shows that exceed this threshold can be canceled.

## Retention Metrics and Unexpected Cancellations

Marvel’s “Wonder Man” on Disney+, Prime Video’s “On Call,” and Netflix’s “The Waterfront” all surpassed the 50% retention mark but were still dropped by their respective platforms. “The Waterfront” led with a 62% retention rate over the first 12 weeks of release. “Wonder Man” retained 52% of its audience across the same period.

The series was initially renewed for a second season before being axed a few months later, illustrating that high retention does not guarantee continuation.

Retention thresholds vary widely among services. Apple TV appears to accept lower rates for prestige series; “The Studio” captured only 28% retention over 120 days, and “The Last Frontier” was the most‑watched canceled series on the platform in recent memory.

Peacock’s threshold is even lower: “The Copenhagen Test,” its most‑watched canceled series over the last year, achieved a 33% retention rate.

These disparities suggest that each streaming platform sets its own internal benchmarks, which may be influenced by strategic priorities, cost structures, or audience expectations.

## Scripted vs. Unscripted Renewal Patterns

Across streaming services, scripted content fares better than unscripted when it comes to renewals. From 2022 to 2025, only about 38% of unscripted series were renewed, whereas scripted shows enjoyed higher rates.

A few high‑profile unscripted series—such as “The Traitors,” “Dancing with the Stars,” and “Love Island”—stood out as exceptions, achieving renewal despite the broader trend.

This pattern reflects a broader shift in viewer preferences and platform strategies. While unscripted formats remain popular for certain demographics, scripted dramas and comedies still dominate renewal statistics, perhaps because they deliver more predictable audience engagement metrics.

The Luminate report underscores that the dynamics of television renewal are far from static. Broadcast networks maintain a decisive advantage in renewal rates, but streaming platforms continue to refine their own metrics and thresholds.

As the industry evolves, producers and executives will need to navigate an increasingly complex landscape of data, expectations, and strategic priorities.