The Married at First Sight franchise is hinting at a shift toward accelerated season production, fueled by various clues, including a significant change in broadcasting platform. Season 18, which concluded in March 2025, is notably regarded as one of the most tumultuous installments to date. This season was defined by a prominent cheating scandal, as David Trimble and Madison Myers infamously chose to abandon their spouses, Michelle Tomblin and Allen Slovick, in favor of pursuing a relationship with each other. Adding to the drama, Emem Obot’s turbulent marriage to Ikechi Ojoré quickly devolved into an early divorce petition.
In a surprising turn of events, Emem became engaged to another partner just one week after filing for divorce, and she is now happily married again. Among the couples from Season 18, only Camille Parsons and Thomas McDonald remained together by decision day; however, Thomas candidly admitted during the “Where Are They Now?”episode that their relationship lacked passion. Despite the chaos, season 18 adhered to the franchise’s typical filming timeline, yet emerging indications suggest a potential overhaul of this schedule that may enhance viewer experience in the future.
Understanding MAFS Historic Schedule
The MAFS Production Timeline
Traditionally, Married at First Sight adheres to a lengthy timeline by reality TV standards, spanning five to six months per season, including reunion and catch-up episodes. Following a season, the show typically enters a hiatus lasting four to six months, resulting in only one season airing each year. While this interval allows for necessary editing and production work, it often means that the results viewers watch represent events that occurred over a year prior to airing.
This delayed rollout can frustrate fans, as the reunion specials are often filmed a year after the initial footage, with further delays before their broadcast. The misalignment between filming, production, and airing can detract from the viewer experience, as audiences witness drama that feels outdated.
Fan Frustration Over Current Production Pace
Season 19 Couples Tied the Knot in February 2024
Fans of Married at First Sight often find themselves waiting far too long for new episodes to air, leading to rising frustration within the community. Many fans express their desire to move beyond the less appealing elements of the previous season, yearning for a fresh cast and invigorating new drama, all under the hopeful premise of creating lasting relationships. This current pace of production has become a major point of contention.
According to recent casting announcements (accessible via @mafsfan), the weddings for the upcoming Season 19 occurred in mid-February 2024. However, historical patterns indicate that viewers may not see the new season premiere until the fall of 2025. Fans took to the comments section of the announcement to share their dissatisfaction regarding the extended production timeline.
“They need to release the episodes faster, these people got married over a year ago??????”
“Holy s**t! !!! Why does it take so long! !!?? Wow! !!”
“Why do we have to wait until fall when spring just started and they got married over a year ago?”
The Need for a Scheduling Overhaul
& Potential Changes on the Horizon
The Married at First Sight franchise is poised to undergo a significant transition in 2025, as it shifts to a new platform. The show will now be available on Peacock, a growing contender in the streaming landscape and a primary competitor to Netflix. With Season 19 being produced by Peacock, there is potential for notable changes in the production timeline.
As this shift is occurring amidst the editing phase for Season 19, it remains uncertain if the premiere will follow the traditional fall schedule, or if it may debut earlier in the summer due to quicker processing by Peacock. However, recent trends in reality television suggest that franchises under Peacock often experience reduced turnaround times. Should this trend hold true, fans of Married at First Sight might expect shorter hiatuses and more timely drama updates, contributing to a more dynamic viewing experience.
For further details, visit @mafsfan on Instagram.