New Pokemon Episodes Airing at a More Steady Pace?

[Kazamatsuri]

Since CartoonNetwork obtained the rights to air new episodes of Pokemon on their network, many have noticed that new episoded have aired at an unbelievable fast pace. howevever, things seem to have slowed down a bit more lately.

Between September 06 and August 07, a total of 71 new Pokemon aired on CN. But between September 07 and August 08, only 47 new episodes aired on the network. And we no longer seem to have new episodes airing four nights a week, and/or twice on Saturdays. Instead, we get a new episode at 9:30 AM, with the 9:00 AM slot reserved for a rerun of the previous week's episode.

Additionally, the seasons seem to be oddly numbered and have begun at strange times in the year.

Season 9, Battle Frontier began in September 06 to pick up where KidsWB left off. It had only 47 episodes, which conveniently finished off the Advanced Generation Saga before moving on into Diamond & Pearl. That Season concluded as early as February 06.

Then, Season 10, Diamond & Pearl began in June of 07, with a sneak preview in late April. For 6 straight weeks, CN aired new Pokemon episodes monday thru Thursday evenings, before taking a short break until September. Since then, only on two occasions have more than one new Pokemon episode aired in the same week. That season ended in February of 08. Instead of totaling 52 episodes, or 57 to even things out (52x2=104), Diamond & Pearl ended with the oddly numbered 51 episodes, bringing the total up to 98 in two season.

Then, Season 11, Battle Dimension began in April of this year. Not once has more than one new episode aired in the same week this Season. In fact, CN actually opted not to aired a new BD episode during one particular week (that or they just didn't have the materials available at the time). Thus far, Battle Dimension has aired 21 episodes.

I actually believe things could realistically even out this season. Meaning that Battle Dimension would have a total of 58 episodes (58+51+47=156, or 52x3). And if things go at the pace they are going now, that would take us to late May or early June of next year before the final episode of BD airs. Then we'd have a short break while reruns air in the summer of 09. Then by September next year, Season 12 would start. I think given the pace we are going now, that's actually a plausible scenario.

 

[PAK Man]

They're probably spreading out the episodes because they learned what KidsWB had to the hard way; there's not enough episodes in the season package to air four per week or two every Saturday morning. Many believe that's part of the reason why so many people dropped out of the fandom around the summer of 2000. In fact, I even remember when that happened. They even held over Misty Meets Her Match, Bound for Trouble and Charizard Chills until the fall. Some also believe this was a factor in them deciding to air Beauty and the Beach. I wouldn't be surprised if it were. Despite that, KidsWB still continued to air two episodes per week. The one time they actually debuted one episode per week was during Master Quest and the summer of 2003.

 

[Trainer Lisa]

In fact, I even remember when that happened. They even held over Misty Meets Her Match, Bound for Trouble and Charizard Chills until the fall.

Woah, I actually remember that! =O

I remember having to wait for those episodes, and then recording them when they finally aired. Ah, nostalgia! ^^

Despite that, KidsWB still continued to air two episodes per week. The one time they actually debuted one episode per week was during Master Quest and the summer of 2003.

Yeah, I remember them having only one new episode a week during Master Quest.

That really annoyed me, because I had to wait a week to find out what happened next, lol. XD

 

[Mooites]

I really think theyre at a good pace. They dont want to surpass Japan! Plus, I think they need to keep a good distance of eps from Japan because sometimes it takes them 2 weeks to make an episode (we saw that with DP084, I believe)

plus showing the ep from the previous week helps when I miss one. even though i just go watch it on youtube...

 

[Yoshi1001]

I think it was just a means for them to have the show the desired distance behind Japan (notice that it's much closer than it used to be).

 

[AtoMan]

Battle Dimension having 58 episodes? There's absoluely NO reason to assume that. It's even said on Jetix' press release that the series is "52x22", meaning 52 eps (but how it'll end up, we'll see. There's no reason to assume it WOULDN'T have 52 eps though.)

However, Jetix UK overtaking US CN with new eps premiering is more than likely.

 

[Jorah]

Yeah, the UK is still airing new episodes really quickly. Once we get the series it's 1 new episode everyday. They did that with DP, too (when it aired on CN) but we got it too late to have a chance of overtaking. I looked on the TV guide (I don't get Jetix) and it says the Spiritomb episode is airing tomorrow and by Sunday the Soleceon Contest episode is on.

Wasn't there a time when the UK was ahead of the US? Or am I just thinking of the chronicles?

 

[Yoshi1001]

Yeah, the UK is still airing new episodes really quickly. Once we get the series it's 1 new episode everyday. They did that with DP, too (when it aired on CN) but we got it too late to have a chance of overtaking. I looked on the TV guide (I don't get Jetix) and it says the Spiritomb episode is airing tomorrow and by Sunday the Soleceon Contest episode is on.

Wasn't there a time when the UK was ahead of the US? Or am I just thinking of the chronicles?

There have been times other western countries have been ahead of the US, but not very often.

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[AtoMan]

There have been times other western countries have been ahead of the US, but not very often.

Master Quest (AFAIK) at some later point aired in UK and/or Canada earlier than in US; last few eps of Advanced Challenge premiered on Australian Cartoon Network; final Advance Battle episode aired firs on Spanish Jetix and that's how we got the title.

And last two years Jetix UK overtaken US with premiering final Power Rangers episodes. So it's not that uncommon. Channels get the episodes pretty early.