Todays Barside Buzz is a rumor that The Wheel of Time Season 4 won’t be greenlit till after Season 3 is assessed. The information comes from a good source, the WoT-Up! YouTube channel. However even the host says to take any rumors like this with a pinch of salt. When it comes to the being business decisions, they can sometimes change on a whim at an executive level.

They says sources have told them that the current stance on Season 4 of The Wheel of Time is not greenlit. It will not be greenlit unless Season 3 viewing figures are up from Season 2. Which, I think is a bit of a joke for reasons I’ll get into below. 

However, I do suggest any fans of the genre take a look at the video below in full. I really enjoyed how the host went in to some of the financials involved in all this. Frankly I agree with his opinion and will give my thoughts below. Amazon/Sony needs to do more to support Wheel of Time if they want it to grow. Given the support they have given it, it’s actually been a success.

Wheel Of Time Doing Fine –  For Money Spent

I won’t get into all the figures covered in the video here, but suffice to say The Rings of Power cost the most to make and had the biggest marketing budget of the three big fantasy shows out right now. This being House of the Dragon, The Rings of Power and The Wheel of Time. The Wheel of Time has the lowest budget for production and a measly budget for marketing compared to TROP. It’s rumored to be around one eighth of Rings marketing budget. HotD, is the most watched show, and yet even it’s budget, nor its marketing are on par with Rings of Power. Whilst Rings of Power saw a bigger overall audience than Wheel of Time, when you look at value for money spent, there’s little questions which one wins and it ain’t Rings.

Therefore when the rumor is that the show needs to do better in Season 3 to get a Season 4, you have to imagine Amazon and Sony should not be expecting an increase, if they don’t give more money to marketing.

I recall when Season 2 dropped and I started reviewing it both on here and on The Dragon Reviewed. At the time, weeks after the Season 2 premiere, we were getting comments from people amazed that Season 2 was out. No one knew about it because the marketing outside of Amazon’s own platform was shockingly lacking. The fact Season 2 did so well is actually surprising considering how poorly it was supported. I wrote about it during the time and couldn’t believe it.

RELATED: Josha Stradowski Will Play More Than Just Rand In Wheel Of Time Season 3 | Barside Buzz SPOILERS

Season 3, which covers book 4 of the series, is also a crucial turning point in the story. By the end of book 3 I wondered how the hell this series manages to get to 14 books? By the end of book 4 I was invested. I could see how much story there really was left to explore. The story in this book does a great job of both widening and deepening the story. Characters will all start to have their own little stories. We will see more of the world, and we also get some new mysteries and flashbacks which are intriguing to say the least. 

I guess for me, how good Season 3 is will dictate to me whether this show can make it to the end. If they do justice to book 4, then I think the casual audience will grow, as will the critical response. However, Amazon/Sony needs to spend more on marketing for Season 3. Both to get people to try this turning point in the story and if they desire greater viewing figures overall. 

Unless they wish it to die because it’s costing too much? I would not out that past any studio. Sequels have been deliberately tanked for similar reasons in Hollywood. However, I guess we are just going to have to wait and see how Season 3 is marketed. Then how it is received by audiences. One thing is for sure, if the Season keeps par with Season 2 only, but has nothing more spent on it? Well, then both Amazon and Sony only have themselves to blame.

What do you think of the rumor that The Wheel of Time Season 4 won’t be greenlit till after Season 3 is assessed? Thoughts below as always.

 

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