With 455 Scripted Series Released This Year, 'Peak TV' Has Yet to Actually Peak

Streaming output doubles in just one year

The phrase "peak TV" was coined by FX Networks CEO John Landgraf last year to describe the "overwhelming" increase in scripted series, but it seems as if the glut of scripted television shows still hasn't peaked yet.

An estimated 455 scripted series aired this year on broadcast, cable and streaming services, according to FX Networks Research.

"This estimate reps an 8 percent increase over just last year (421 in 2015)―but an astonishing 71 percent increase over five years ago (266 in 2011) and 137 percent over a decade ago (192 in 2006)," said Julie Piepenkotter, evp, research, FX Networks, in a statement.

While the number of broadcast, premium cable and basic cables shows all fell in 2016, that decline was more than surpassed by the output from streaming services.

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