Tvkausi

Tvkausi, or television season, refers to a defined set of episodes of a television series produced to air within a specific period. The term is used in Finnish and other languages to describe the annual cycle of a show's new episodes. Seasons can be planned as annual blocks or spread across calendar years, depending on the broadcaster and format.

Episode counts and formats vary widely. In traditional United States network television, seasons commonly contain about 22–24 episodes, designed to fill a weekly schedule through autumn to spring. Cable and premium networks typically produce shorter seasons, around 10–13 episodes. Streaming series may release 6–12 episodes at once or on a weekly schedule, with pacing tailored to the platform.

Production and scheduling follow a cycle that includes writing, casting, filming, and post-production, followed by a renewal decision based on performance and budgets. A season's end is usually marked by a season finale that may resolve ongoing arcs or set up future installments. Some shows publish limited or anthology seasons that tell a standalone story.

The release model influences syndication and marketing. Traditional seasons align with ratings sweeps and advertising goals, while streaming releases emphasize binge potential or staggered rollout. In many markets, a season must reach a minimum number of episodes to qualify for reruns and syndication rights.