Why Isn’t ‘Yellowstone’ Returning for Season 4 This Summer?
It’s been almost a year since the Yellowstone Season 3 finale aired on August 23, 2020, so it makes sense that fans were expecting the fourth season to arrive this summer. Unfortunately, we’re all going to have to wait a little longer.
On July 1, Paramount Network announced that the Kevin Costner-starring series would be back for Season 4 sometime this fall, with Deadline reporting that it won’t be until November. So what’s the hold-up?
Yellowstone airs on Paramount, owned by ViacomCBS, but the show’s first three seasons are available to stream on NBC Universal’s streaming service, Peacock. Could a streaming rights battle between Peacock and Paramount’s streaming service, Paramount+, be to blame for the show’s delay?
There’s no obvious production reason the episodes would be pushed back — the season wrapped filming in November 2020, according to Chief Joseph Ranch’s Instagram, the filming location used for the Dutton Ranch.
As explained by CNet, networks can make more money by licensing their shows’ streaming rights to other platforms instead of their own. For example, most seasons of iCarly are currently streaming on Netflix, instead of the reboot’s home, Paramount +. Comedy Central’s South Park is on HBO Max, despite the network being owned by ViacomCBS.
“However, beyond the money ViacomCBS makes by licensing, Paramount Plus also believes it may be able to draw in more new members if it lets other, bigger services have those top-tier titles to stream,” the CNet report reads.
If Paramount Network is streaming the show on Peacock to make a bigger profit, why will the show’s two announced spin-offs, Y:1883 and 6666, premiere on Paramount +? Could it be CBSViacom is waiting for the licensing deal with NBCUniversal to end so the fourth season can stream on its own streamer?
Time will tell, but as fans continue to wait for an official premiere date, you can catch the Yellowstone 4th of July Marathon this weekend on Paramount Network.
Yellowstone, Season 4, Fall 2021, Paramount Network
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Conversation9 Comments
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C
Sometimes I yearn for the simpler days before streaming and multiple platforms caused so much commotion
14
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R
People will lose interest in your shows when companies continue to choose these stream methods. We are over it!
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R
Yellowstone and Picard were the only reason I did the free month on Paramount plus. A week - in I learned that Paramount weren’t airing Yellowstone, so watched the episodes of the one show that interested me and cancelled.
Further, since Viacom took over, they fired the oldest newscasters locally, and much of the programming they plan to air are shows like ‘Love Island’, which I wish they would move to P plus, so that I wouldn’t need to be assaulted by their revolting advertising for it. -One could wish they would air something better in the slot. I find little of value on CBS since the merger, and rarely watch anymore. Congratulations, morons.
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G
Sorry. Just seriously tired of being jerked around by Paramount or Viacom, or whoever is making the decisions to delay the season four premier. For an unprecedented fan base like the Yellowstone, you're showing a total lack of respect. As good a show as it is, it's still just a show, and Viacom's disdain for us is causing my patience to run out for good. See ya. Maybe.
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G
I won’t pay extra to stream any show. As much as I enjoy some shows it not that important to me
5
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G
I totally agree with all these comments!! Sick & Damn tired of these people holding us hostage for 'streaming ransome' to do what makes them more money with zero regard for fans! I won't cave! I'll go away ticked off!!
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R
It's starting to piss everyone I know off, including myself!
If they aren't careful... They could LOSE viewers... by waiting so long to air season 4.
Viewers might be tempted to wait and just catch it streaming on the other networks, or drop watching it all together.
I mean really, I love the show but, who knows by the time it does air, there might be something better that catches my attention....
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O
probably will catch up..loved it and RIP of course.. but will have to repeat at lease the last episode if not 2 or three to recall the events leading up to final.
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R
“ the season wrapped filming in November 2020, according to Chief Joseph Ranch’s Instagram, the filming location used for the Dutton Ranch.”
No, this is incorrect I believe.
It was filming just a few weeks ago in Hamilton - we have family up there that took videos of the film crew with all the Yellowstone trucks. Unless they were filming for Season 5…
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