Why does the TV season begin in the fall?

So people sit at home and watch all of the stuff that is advertised in the commercials... That way they will buy the stuff during the Christmas season.

Just a guess.

God bless!

I believe that was the best time to begin new shows. The networks had been running reruns during the traditionally slower summer months while people were off on vacations. When the families settled back into their regular routines, they had time and opportunity to check out the new shows.

I don't believe the new season technically begins in the fall anymore. Networks now develop some shows as "summer replacements" instead of running just reruns. Shows like "The Closer", "Saving Grace", "Burn Notice", "Damages" were offered during the summer and have recently run their finales. Networks sometimes design shows to begin in the middle of "the season" just in case some of the new shows do not perform as well as they thought.

Where do I go to find the "right" answer?

I'm not sure, but it makes sense logically with the weather changing. Who wants to sit at home during the summer when the weather is beautiful and the sun is shining if you could be outside enjoying your summer. In fall it starts to get dark out sooner and colder out (although these last few days here in Chicago have been as hot as mid July, but today it's kinda cooler). Perfect for staying in and watching TV. So far I've seen Chuck, That new show with Robert from Everybody loves Raymond, the new show with Frasier and Patricia Heaton (SP), and Reaper. Didn't care for Chuck that much, but I think I need to give it another chance since I saw it at a bar and couldn't follow it well. But the rest I loved! Can't wait for Private Practice tonight, althought I'd also like to see Bionic Woman. I need a Tivo!!!!

Because during the summer it is assumed that most people go on vacation, so to ensure that the networks can get the most viewers, they put their big prime time shows on after school starts. That way they can get people hooked on a show, and the people won't be going out of town and things like that, so they can watch all the episodes. People are more likely to keep watching a show if they don't miss any of the episodes.

Everyone watches tv in the fall more then any other season so they want you in the house to watch the shows that is coming on.

Because people watch TV a lot more during the colder months. Too much to do with nice weather.

because tv viewers are mostly on vacation or outside during the summer resulting in low viewership.

so the powers that be start all the cool shows in the fall..

I would say it is because the average household is starting to stay inside more because of the Autumn weather changes and what a better way to do it than with a new series of programming.

Probably because that is when the children go back to school and everyone is pretty much back on a normal routine. it starts getting cooler and more people are in the house around that time.

Because it is cold during this time of the year, and more people stay in and watch TV.