Season 3 Split Release: Could Bridgerton Be Losing Its Charm – and Viewers?

Summary

• Bridgerton Season 3 was released on May 16, but some fans are expressing their dissatisfaction.
• The reason is the division of the new season into 2 parts.
• Netflix wants to increase the hype of the series in the long run.

Dear friends, we've been waiting for this for an incredibly long time, and it's finally happened! The long-awaited third season of Bridgerton landed on Netflix yesterday, May 16, two years after Season 2 was released. But amidst all the incredibly high and loud excitement among viewers of one of Netflix's flagship series, there has been fan angst over the streaming service's policy. After all, we waited two full years to finally get... just four episodes of the new season.

Yes, folks, back in December 2023, it was announced that Bridgerton Season 3 would be split into two parts, with a one-month difference in release. For many, this is very disappointing news, and while the Part 1 finale left many on the edge of their seats, such a long wait left an underwhelming impression. So why was Season 3 split in half, and is Netflix's decision to do so putting Bridgerton's popularity at risk of plummeting in the near future?

Why Was Bridgerton Season 3 Released in Two Parts?

For example, the split-season model has been used by Netflix in the case of Stranger Things Season 4, Firefly Lane Season 2, The Crown Season 6, Virgin River Season 5, and The Witcher Season 3.

While no official explanation was given in the case of Bridgerton, the reasons may be obvious. Increasing ratings, maintaining interest over a longer period of time, and keeping Netflix users re-subscribing to the service, to name a few.

A Split Release May Be a Disservice to Bridgerton Season 3

Of course, the fan complaints are not directed at the show's cast and crew, as the pacing has been excellent so far, and the chemistry between Colin and Penelope is as steamy as ever, so there's no reason to believe that viewers will be dissatisfied with the future story in any way.

And yet, so much media hype, so much marketing and PR on the part of Netflix, all to get a measly four episodes... Well, it is incredibly underwhelming for viewers. On social media, fans are calling Part 1 a delight, but they're not hiding their mixed feelings about Netflix's decision.

Besides, you don't even have to be familiar with the plot of the original novel to realize that the most important (and definitely the most passionate) events take place in Part 2, including the revelation of Lady Whistledown's true identity.

Is It All So Bad for the Future of Bridgerton?

'Everybody loves to binge Bridgerton. It's one of those shows that when it drops, you watch all the episodes in a day or two. Knowing that you're only getting four at a time and then you have to wait another month for another four, people will be frustrated,' Messenger's Megan Vick told Yahoo Entertainment. 'But in the long haul, it's going to work out better for Netflix to have it in two batches.'

This is certainly true, because despite Netflix's decision, we are still incredibly eager to see the continuation of the Romancing Mister Bridgerton adaptation. Moreover, the continued success of the above-mentioned series, even after being split into two parts, has allowed them to remain at the top of the Netflix charts long after some of them have ended.

And yet, such an artificial attempt by Netflix to increase viewer anticipation does a disservice to the new season. While Bridgerton will not lose interest in the long run, the ratings may drop slightly, and so will the show's budgets.

Bridgerton Season 3 Part 2 will be released on Netflix on June 13, 2024.

Source: Yahoo! Entertainment.