Overview
- Apple TV+ is facing significant financial losses amounting to 1 billion euros annually, despite the platform’s successful programming lineup, which includes hit shows such as Severance.
- The impending Season 4 of Ted Lasso raises concerns about a potential decline in quality, reminiscent of Community’s less favorable fourth season.
- Severance has recently ascended to become the most-watched series on Apple TV+, possibly heralding a shift toward more sustainable profitability.
Apple TV+ has carved a niche for itself with a diverse range of engaging content, including comedic favorites like Ted Lasso, Harrison Ford’s dramatic Shrinking, and the thought-provoking sci-fi thriller Silo. Among these, Severance has emerged as a standout, captivating audiences with its intriguing narrative twists and layered performances throughout its second season finale, which left followers eagerly anticipating what comes next.
Nevertheless, the platform is grappling with substantial financial challenges. According to a report from Euro News, Apple TV+ incurs approximately one billion euros in losses each year, despite heavy investments into its exclusive content. Since launching in 2019, it has dedicated around five billion euros annually but continues to languish with nearly ten million fewer subscribers than Hulu. Currently, Apple TV+ boasts about forty million subscribers, while Hulu’s subscriber count stands at forty-eight million, highlighting the significant gap in profitability.
To enhance its growth trajectory, Apple TV+ must intensify its marketing efforts, focusing on its critically acclaimed yet unconventional series like Severance and Shrinking. The decision to renew Ted Lasso for a fourth season, despite an adequate completion of its third, may appear as a strategic misstep. It could indicate a lack of faith in their niche programming, overshadowing potential viewership gains from exploring fresh narratives in ongoing series or introducing new projects.
Ted Lasso’s Renewal: Concerns About Diminished Quality
Ted Lasso, featuring Jason Sudeikis in the titular role, presents a heartfelt blend of sports and comedy. The narrative revolves around an endearing American football coach hired to manage England’s AFC Richmond, primarily as a scheme to sabotage the team by its owner, Rebecca Welton, who seeks revenge on her ex-husband. Contrary to her expectations, Lasso’s optimistic leadership fuels the team’s success, contributing to three seasons of delightful storytelling appealing to varied audiences.
However, with the airing of Season 3, it became evident that the creators intended it to serve as the series’ conclusion. In a notable podcast episode of *Fake Doctors, Real Friends*, showrunner Bill Lawrence remarked that the show was originally designed as a three-season arc, aligning with Sudeikis’s vision for the character:
“You can’t sustain that [ongoing TV]. You have to have some… some ups and downs to the storytelling. But you know, I think that— I think that ours is a little different because, you know Jason, and [where] he’s kind of mapping it [Ted Lasso] out is to three. It’s a three season show.”
During the same podcast discussion, Lawrence affirmed that he would attempt to persuade Sudeikis to continue post-Season 3, despite lacking a clear vision for the show’s future. Now, Apple TV+ has opted to renew the show for a fourth season, even though this wasn’t part of the original design.
This renewal raises concerns that Ted Lasso may experience a decline in quality reminiscent of the fourth season of *Community*, often labeled as the “Gas Leak Year”due to its departure from the show’s original charm. Without the involvement of creator Dan Harmon, that season faced narrative inconsistencies and character regression, leading to viewer dissatisfaction and even cast changes. If Ted Lasso‘s fourth season does not maintain its high standards, it may similarly impact Apple TV+’s reputation.
Ben Stiller’s Severance: A Beacon of Hope for Apple TV+
Under the direction of executive producer Ben Stiller, Severance has captivated viewers with two highly acclaimed seasons. Although the show faced delays due to industry strikes and creative disputes, Season 2 significantly outperformed expectations, resolving Season 1’s cliffhanger with complex twists and elaborate storytelling. Impressively, Severance has emerged as the most-watched series on Apple TV+, leading to a shift in the platform’s marketing focus from the light-heartedness of Ted Lasso to the darker, more introspective themes of this series. Anticipation is building for Season 3, which has already received positive feedback.
Although loyal fans appear divided on the future direction of Severance, with some advocating for an extended narrative while others believe Season 3 should serve as a fitting conclusion, the show’s potential remains significant. Its second installment introduced various themes and questions that could easily extend beyond a third season. Limiting it to just three seasons could deprive its storytelling of further depth and exploration, contrasting sharply with the currently waning narrative charm of Ted Lasso.
Apple TV+ stands at a pivotal moment, with opportunities for growth dependent on sustaining support for shows like Severance, complemented by continual investments in other promising projects such as Shrinking and the Gary Oldman-led drama Slow Horses. These offerings present rich storytelling possibilities that can elevate viewer engagement, unlike the diminishing novelty in Ted Lasso as it approaches its fourth season. The future may hold uncertainties, yet optimism remains that Severance can continue to innovate and challenge expectations while Ted Lasso redeems itself and proves skeptical fans wrong.