Part news, part editorial today, but Amazon are doing a bad job of marketing The Wheel of Time Season 2. Here are the facts, according to those who run streaming figures, viewership for Season 2 is down on Season 1. Yet, critically Season 2 is way, way ahead of Season 1. So what gives?
In my opinion, the strikes will get the blame. However, I also think Amazon have decided to spend less money on marketing Season 2. When Season 1 was airing, it was so prominently advertised. When you turn on Amazon Prime Wheel of Time was advertised on the front screen prominently. This season, when I go to find the new episode each week, there is no banner, no easy click, or even notification a new episode has dropped. I have to actually scroll down to go find continue, or select Wheel of Time from a carousel.
Many of the big streaming shows will be heavily advertised on regular TV where I live in the U.K.. However, I’ve yet to see a single banner, or commercial trailer for Wheel of Time Season 2. There are no posters up around my area at all for Season 2 and yet there were loads for Season 1.
In fact, any casual watcher for Season 1 could be forgiven for not even knowing Season 2 is available. It could be different in the US, I can’t say for certain, but I’m guessing not drastically so.
RELATED: The Wheel Of Time Showrunner Waiting To Find Out About Season 4
As we covered earlier this week (see above) the decision to renew Wheel of Time for Season 4 hasn’t yet been made. However, I hope Amazon are taking their lack of marketing into account when they make that decision. Online forums are generally a lot more positive about Season 2. Casual fans are saying they’re enjoying it, and critics such as myself are rating each episode higher. So why are Amazon not doing their part to promote this? I’ve not seen a single social media post with critic responses like you do if your show is being rated highly.
Season 1 had it’s issues and didn’t end well. However, it’s success promoted the renewal for Season 3. Let’s hope the reduced numbers don’t also equate to Season 4 being cancelled.
Amazon are doing a bad job of marketing The Wheel of Time Season 2 and it’s during the series. As always, leave any thoughts about my opinion below in the usual spot.