Another season of Cross is here, and we can’t wait to delve into the story. Don’t worry; there are no spoilers for Cross season 2 in this post. What we will get into is the release schedule, which is very different to the first season.
Cross season 1 dropped as a binge-watch. All eight episodes arrived at once, and it was possible to set your own viewing experience up the way you wanted. That’s not the case with the second season, as you’ll notice that only three episodes dropped today! So, what’s the deal, and why is this better for the series?
Cross season 2 release schedule
Prime Video has opted for the weekly release, which it does with a lot of its big shows now. The first three episodes have dropped at once, and then we’ll get weekly viewing for the remaining five episodes. The season 2 finale is slated to air on Wednesday, March 18.
Episodes drop at 3 a.m. ET/12 a.m. PT on Wednesday mornings. That means you can watch those episodes at a time that suits you. Right now, the Winter Olympics are on, so a lot of crime dramas are off the air, and it makes it the perfect time to enjoy the series.
Take a look at the full release schedule below so you don’t miss a beat of Cross season 2:
Episode # | Release date |
|---|---|
Episode 1 | Wednesday, Feb. 11 |
Episode 2 | Wednesday, Feb. 11 |
Episode 3 | Wednesday, Feb. 11 |
Episode 4 | Wednesday, Feb. 18 |
Episode 5 | Wednesday, Feb. 25 |
Episode 6 | Wednesday, March 4 |
Episode 7 | Wednesday, March 11 |
Episode 8 | Wednesday, March 18 |
Why this weekly release is better for Cross season 2
When the first season was released, it came with the news that a second season had already been ordered. In fact, the second season had already been filmed when the series dropped, and that meant Prime Video could run the risk of the binge drop.
The problem with a binge drop is that it means the show remains on the mind of fans for a couple of weeks, and then it disappears. A weekly release gives people time to think about episodes and appreciate the story as a whole.
People can talk about the theories of what’s going to happen, and they can discuss the characters they love or don’t love. There’s time to really think about the message that is being brought across in the show.
Sure, the viewing numbers are affected, but that’s because streamers then start comparing apples to oranges. You can’t look at the number of hours watched during the first weekend for an eight-episode binge and compare them to the number hours watched during the first weekend when one to three episodes were released. And Amazon knows that!
The weekly release gives Amazon time to see how people are watching Cross season 2. Are people tuning in as soon as the episodes drop, because if they do, that makes it clear that this is must-watch viewing. Watching one episode on a Wednesday night is so much easier, so people are more likely to tune in rather than have to wait for a free weekend to get through a binge.
It’s also healthier for us, although I’m sure plenty of people won’t want to hear that. Netflix has made people want a binge-watch, but to be honest, there are so many good shows canceled because people don’t have the time to watch right away. By the time they get to the shows, they’ve already been canceled, and people don’t care anymore.
Cross airs on Wednesdays on Prime Video.