The Bear Season 4’s Release Plan Ignores Fans Again—And Hulu’s Reason Is Clear

by

The release strategy for Season 4 of “The Bear” has been set, demonstrating that the show is disregarding a frequent criticism from Season 3. When it initially debuted in June 2022, “The Bear” was somewhat under the radar compared to many mainstream TV shows. However, positive word-of-mouth rapidly increased its popularity, opening doors for its renewal for a second season. The series’ first season garnered a flawless 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, and Season 2 only strengthened its reputation as one of the most gripping and praised psychological comedy-dramas, scoring 99%.

Despite receiving fewer universally positive reviews for season 3, “The Bear” still garnered an impressive 89% rating from critics on a review site. However, in contrast, the audience score was only 51%, indicating that a significant number of viewers weren’t pleased with how the third season unfolded. Among various criticisms leveled at season 3, one recurring issue was its release format. It was expected that season 4 would address this concern, but surprisingly, it follows the same pattern as its preceding seasons.

The Bear Season 4 Is Still Dropping All Episodes At Once

Season 4 Will Continue Its Predecessors’ Release Trend

As per reports from The Hollywood Reporter, it appears that “The Bear” season 4 is set to debut on Hulu on June 25th, specifically at 8 p.m. Eastern Time. Much like the show’s previous seasons, this upcoming season will not adhere to a weekly release schedule. Rather, all episodes will be made available for streaming simultaneously on the premiere date itself. This approach allows viewers to enjoy the series freely, without having to wait an entire week for each new episode.

Additionally, those eager to watch all of The Bear‘s season 4 at once on June 25 can do so without delay, rather than waiting for the entire season to air over several weeks. However, although this format seems convenient, it does have its drawbacks. While some viewers appreciate the “all episodes at once” approach taken by numerous streaming services, others argue that The Bear might have been more captivating if it had released one episode per week.

The Bear Season 3’s Binge Drop Release Was Criticized By Audiences

Many Viewers Wished To Have Longer Conversations Surrounding The Show

The question of which release strategy is more effective will often spark debate. Some audience members enjoy binge-watching an entire season in one or two sessions, while others prefer to wait for a new episode each week and engage in discussions about each fresh installment. Regarding the show The Bear, there seems to be a consensus among many viewers that it would benefit from being released on a weekly basis rather than all at once.

It appears that several viewers have expressed their opinions about the way season 3 of The Bear was released all at once, suggesting that it could spark numerous conversations spanning multiple weeks if it were distributed weekly. However, the creators opted for the “all-at-once” format, making discussions last only a short while after its debut. Some viewers have voiced concerns about how exhausting and overwhelming it can be to watch a show like The Bear, which tackles heavy themes such as trauma, mental health, family dynamics, and addiction in one sitting, despite the series being generally categorized as a comedy.

For some viewers, consuming an entire season at once might be overwhelming. The binge-drop format provides flexibility, but no one wants to miss out on discussions or feel left behind. Additionally, there’s always the concern of encountering spoilers if viewing is delayed. Consequently, many viewers found it frustrating when they were pressured into watching The Bear season 3 immediately, preferring to savor it at their own pace instead.

The Bear Is The Only Ongoing FX On Hulu Show With A Binge Drop Release Method

Even A Highly-Anticipated Upcoming Show Is Adopting A Weekly Release Format

Most shows currently streaming on Hulu, excluding “The Bear”, adhere to a weekly release format. This includes the eagerly awaited new sci-fi series, “Alien: Earth”. Interestingly, “The Bear” is the lone exception. Despite its focus on food and tempting visuals of mouthwatering dishes, one might expect that a show like “The Bear” would be presented as a full season at once, rather than episode by episode.

Every dish, or storyline, should have been served with the aim of enabling the audience to savor each narrative morsel. However, due to its approach of offering a little bit of everything, The Bear unintentionally feels more like a smorgasbord, detracting from the intended fine dining experience. Instead of allowing viewers to savor one course at a time, the show compels them to consume everything quickly, thereby reducing the opportunity to appreciate the finer nuances in its narrative, character development, and creative decisions.

The unique approach taken by “The Bear,” being the sole FX series on Hulu that follows this method, makes its release strategy all the more puzzling. Yet, despite the potential benefits of a more gradual rollout, there appears to be a compelling reason behind Hulu’s decision to unveil it in one go. While some viewers might advocate for weekly releases, the “all at once” format seems to work better for Hulu in various aspects.

The Bear Season 3’s Record-Breaking Premiere Explains Season 4’s Release Strategy

The Bear’s Release Strategy Worked Wonders For Season 3

Based on recent reports (from Variety), The Bear season 3 impressively garnered 5.4 million views within its initial four days of streaming, making it the most successful FX debut on Hulu and setting a new record as the most-watched premiere for any scripted series on the platform. Despite some criticisms regarding the release strategy of The Bear season 3, these impressive viewership numbers demonstrate that Hulu’s approach was indeed profitable.

The Bear Season Rotten Tomatoes Critics’ Score Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score
Season 1 100% 92%
Season 2 99% 92%
Season 3 89% 51%

In simpler terms, if Hulu had released some episodes of “The Bear” season 3 all at once instead of weekly, its initial overall viewership might have been lower. However, this approach could potentially make the show more viral and record-breaking, as seen today. While some viewers might prefer a weekly release, it seems that releasing it in one go has greater commercial benefits.

Due to this decision, Hulu is taking the appropriate action by premiering the entire Season 4 of “The Bear” on June 25th. Viewers who prefer to savor the content can certainly watch it across several viewings. On the other hand, those eagerly waiting for what Season 4 of “The Bear” has in store can choose to watch it all at once through binge-watching. This binge-release strategy appears to provide greater viewing flexibility.

Read More

2025-05-14 10:48