The Degrassi franchise has always been one to break ground, tell controversial stories and still stay popular, despite doing things that many other series are terrified to do. But this summer, the critically acclaimed drama did the seemingly unthinkable and went from its standard weekly airings to a daily telenovela format. That’s 24 episodes in six weeks. Just imagine if America’s Got Talent did that — I’d be a happy camper!

But why would Degrassi mess with its tried-and-true formula, considering it’s only getting better in its 10th season? But why wouldn’t they? Since Degrassi is known for taking big, bold risks, a move like this is only keeping with the Canadian series’ history.

Ultimately the reason is simple. According to a Degrassi insider, The Boiling Point — the title of the 24-episode block that aired from July 19 to Aug. 26 — aired during the summer so the show could attract their “teen audience every night whereas in the fall, they are busy with school, work and sports so it is easier for us to reach them every Friday.” That’s right, the rest of Season 10’s episodes — yup, 24 more — will air weekly on Friday nights, beginning in October.

MuchMusic has yet to release the ratings for the experimental first half, but in its first week, it won its timeslot in the key 12-34 demo. According to BBM Canada, over one million people tuned into the first week, bringing in over 300,000 viewers on single episodes. But was Degrassi’s new format a hit with audiences south of the border, where it airs on TeenNick? Hell, yeah.

Degrassi: The Boiling Point set viewership records for TeenNick, with triple- and quadruple-digit increases. The first week’s episodes averaged one million total viewers — and those numbers don’t even include the two-hour movie premiere, The Heat is On.

Degrassi was the ideal franchise to try out the telenovela format given its large cast, loyal audience and its serialized storytelling.

But while its format had changed, Degrassi’s formula didn’t. It’s still the same Degrassi kids viewers know and love — just more of them. It may be hard work for everyone involved but at least more time can be focused on characters who are typically regulated to the back burner.

Degrassi continues to be all about relatable, fleshed-out, diverse teen characters, relevant teen issues, and fun, heartwarming teen stories. The series has always been relatable, and run like a well-oiled machine, so it’s no surprise that after 30 years, the quality of the series has always remained consistent. And that’s all a loyal fan could ever ask for.

Degrassi returns in October with the rest of Season 10, Fridays on MuchMusic.

What did you think of Degrassi’s telenovela format? denette@tvguide.ca or comment below.

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Denette’s not ashamed to say she has loved TV for as long as she can remember, whether she was rolling her eyes at Polkaroo on Polka Dot Door, catching up on soaps recorded on her family’s trusty Betamax, crushing on Face from The A-Team or laughing along with Balki and Larry on Perfect Strangers.

Nowadays, Denette digs Glee, Mad Men, Castle, dance competition shows, Friends reruns and the the one-two punch of Modern Family and Cougar Town. Things that annoy her are trying to find time to catch up on Breaking Bad and Dexter on DVD, incontinuity on soaps, her PVR crashing, and anything and everything associated with Toddlers & Tiaras. If you’ve thought it, it’s probably crossed her mind, too. Denette will gladly praise a show, but she’ll be more than happy to slam something if it sucks.

 

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