Despite the fact that Netflix has over and over again related the pros of the binge-watching model, the subscription streaming service will not be letting fans power through the first season of its new series, Between. The Canadian science fiction thriller will release one episode per week during its first season run, making it a Netflix series that will air in a similar manner to network and cable television. The series will hit the schedule on May 21.
The reason for the Between viewing schedule is actually pretty simple. In Canada, Between will actually be airing on Canada’s City first. The first episode of the drama will hit the schedule on May 21 at 8 p.m. in Canada, since Canada has the first air viewing rights. Then, according to THR, new episodes of the show will become available on Netflix starting at 9 p.m. each week. Theoretically, you could wait for the first season of Between to air and then binge-watch the series, but it is notable that the drama will not be available to watch in full right away.
Honestly, a lot about Between doesn’t fit Netflix’s model. Netflix frequently prefers to make its new programming available first thing in the morning on Fridays. Orange is the New Black, House of Cards and many more all premiere at right after midnight on Fridays, but Between will become available in a totally dissimilar fashion. First of all, the 21 is a Thursday rather than a Friday, which totally throws off the premiere day. Then, the show will become available at 9 p.m. rather than first thing in the morning the following day.
The premiere date for Between was announced this morning by lead Jeanette McCurdy, and a trailer for the new series was included in the announcement. The series itself will follow a small town that is dealing with a plague that kills off inhabitants before they turn 21. McCurdy, Kyle Mac, Ryan Allen, and Wesley Morgan star.
Doubtless, Netflix really wanted Between and this was an easy way to add it to its schedule, but it’s still pretty strange for the subscription streaming service to knock on traditional ways of feeding viewers content and then feed viewers some of its content in the same manner. Luckily, Daredevil and some of the other new programming will still be available in the binge-watching fashion many of us love.
