It’s almost time for Jensen Ackles’s new series, Countdown. It premieres on Prime Video later this week, and we have the full episode count!
As a Prime Video series, you’d likely expect Countdown to have eight episodes. Maybe 10 if you’re lucky. Well, this is a series that feels more like a spring broadcast show, which shouldn’t be that surprising considering Derek Haas is the showrunner and Ackles is the lead star.
Countdown has 13 episodes in total
Yes, you just read that headline right. Rather than eight to 10 episodes, Amazon allowed 13 episodes to Countdown season 1. This is great news for those who are fed up with the shortened episode counts that have come from streaming platforms growing larger.
For those who are used to broadcast, this is great news, as it’s going to feel more like a midseason series rather than a streaming series. A “full season” on broadcast is now considered to be 13 episodes and up, so it’s like we’re almost getting a full season. Think of it like a traditional one-season show on broadcast, as the likes of High Potential and Brilliant Minds had 13 episodes in the 2024–2025 TV season.
When you consider that there are plans to syndicate Countdown, the episode count makes sense. The syndication is expected to happen 18 months after the Prime Video run.
Countdown will release episodes weekly
Yes, this is going to be a weekly released show. It makes sense for something like this, as many of those involved come from the broadcast world. They’re used to episode-ending cliffhangers that make us need to watch the following week.
However, it’s still a Prime Video series, and that means it’s getting a hybrid release. The first three episodes will drop on Wednesday, June 25. After that, we’ll get one episode per week, until the finale airs on Wednesday, Sept. 3.
The entire season has been written by Haas, which is unusual for a series. In fact, it’s really only Mike Hirst who opts to write all episodes of his own shows, because it’s usually a lot of work to get episodes done. Haas knows the world of crime dramas though considering he comes from Chicago PD. To add to this, Haas is the only executive producer listed for the series, with Amazon MGM producing it.
Countdown premieres on Wednesday, June 25 on Prime Video.
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