Here’s The Unfortunate ‘Outer Banks’ Season 4 Part 2 Release Date

For a while, Netflix seemed to improve on this issue. They managed to keep popular series like Heartstopper and Nobody Wants This intact without splitting them up. However, Outer Banks didn't escape that fate.

Outer Banks Season 4 Part 2 will be available a month after the first part, premiering on November 7, 2024, when the next five episodes will be released. This is the first time in the series’ four-season run that it has been split into two parts like this. When the news broke, fans were upset to see Netflix's trend of splitting seasons impacting their favorite show.

The common strategy now is to split future seasons in half after a show's successful first season. This tactic aims to keep subscribers around for an additional month. Instead of people subscribing just to binge-watch and then canceling, this approach locks them in for longer. Previously, there was some justification about production issues, but Netflix has stopped using that excuse; it's all about keeping subscribers, straightforward and clear.

This approach really limits the storytelling and is actually more frustrating than either binge-watching all at once or following a traditional weekly release schedule where fans can discuss the latest events. It feels like you're watching the first half of a lengthy film and then left waiting a month for the second half, which is quite absurd. That’s essentially what's going on here. Plus, a season now has to be crafted with a break or cliffhanger halfway through, which isn’t something that typical binge series need to consider when planning their structure.

For a streaming platform that emphasizes completion rates, it's hard to believe that splitting a season in half and delaying the second part by a month would be beneficial. Recently, Netflix canceled That ‘90s Show after its second season, which they chose to divide into three segments. I really can't see how this decision could have positively affected viewer numbers.

It's still somewhat uncertain when Netflix chooses to implement this strategy and when it doesn't. I was taken aback to find out that Heartstopper didn't participate, but I suppose its viewing figures aren’t as high as some other shows. Similarly, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story also didn't go this route. However, I would confidently predict that a major title like Wednesday season 2 will. As for Squid Game season 2, I'm not as convinced; it could really go in either direction. They're usually less inclined to do this with international series.

This is disappointing news for Outer Banks fans who were hoping to binge-watch the new season over the weekend, as they'll now have to wait until November 7 to see the rest. I truly hope Netflix can change this pattern in the future.

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Check out my science fiction novels, the Herokiller series and the Earthborn Trilogy.