Coping with the Winter Hiatus

Growing up as a young television viewer, I remember that after November Sweeps you would be lucky if you get two or three episodes in before the Holiday Season. I used to enjoy waiting for the promos to the Christmas episodes most television shows would do. This was back in 2002 and now in the 2011 Fall Season, most  shows are saying Goodbye a bit earlier now. Question is, does this affect your viewing?

Back when there wasn't a thing called "on-line viewing" or "DVR" for that matter, most shows would have at least 13 episodes before the winter hiatus began. Now, we get lucky if a show pushes for 10 episodes. Most shows are now entering the hiatus right before Thanksgiving. High-Rated shows stay just before November Sweeps is about to be over or if lucky come back for one week after Thanksgiving. 

The winter hiatus comes at a time when most Americans are busy doing their holiday shopping and going off to holiday parties. I have to admit, as a busy college student dealing with finals, my shows that i usually watch as "appointment television" were DVRed because of student priorities. While people are more inclined to skip out on TV viewing in December, fans of favorite TV shows still feel bothered when their shows enter a six week hiatus. So how do we cope?

 The good thing is with the Holiday season upon us, it actually helps us play catch up. Here are some tips to help you get through this holiday season.

1. You can always go back and rewatch: Whether you Hulu or DVR it You can catch up with the latest season right on your computer. (I plan to do that with ABC's Revenge)

2. TV Shows on DVD make Great Stocking Stuffers: Go out and buy the DVD's. Very Affordable and a great present.

3. Holiday Specials: They take our timeslots away but ,hey the are a ratings win

4. Look out for those Promos: Watching the game or a rerun, the broadcast networks will always sneak a promo for the 2012 season. Be ready for them.

By the time you know it January will be here and we will be ready for all the Mid-season Fun!