Hotswitching is a television scheduling technique where two programs are aired back-to-back without any commercial break or interruption between them. As soon as the first show ends, the next one starts immediately, with the goal of keeping the audience engaged and preventing them from changing the channel during a break.
This tactic is designed to capitalize on the momentum and attention of viewers already tuned in, increasing the chances that they will continue watching the second program. By eliminating the usual pause for advertising, hotswitching reduces the opportunity for viewers to lose interest or seek alternative content elsewhere.
While effective in retaining viewers and boosting ratings for the following show, hotswitching can also strain advertisers who lose a prime slot for commercials. Still, networks use this method strategically, especially when trying to launch new shows or maintain high viewership during competitive time slots.