In television, a marathon is typically the sequential broadcast of a single or a number of related television programs, most notably reflecting a theme. Marathons are usually aired by cable channels and consist of numerous episodes of a TV series once broadcast on network television. The most common reasons for a network to run a marathon are: a) to celebrate the acquisition of a series, b) to celebrate the ending or loss or a series, c) when well known star of a show passes away, d) to celebrate a holiday. As the name insists, marathons usually consist of a long period of time; up to days if it’s a movie marathon or a series with many episodes. Some of the longest running marathons are the two Twilight Zone marathons that air on the Sci Fi Channel in the United States on New Years Day and Independence Day; not counting early morning infomercials, each run for roughly three days straight. While early on marathons were rare and special, nowadays it’s common for some networks to air a TV series in three to four hour blocks that are sometimes to referred to mini marathons. Separated by movies and other series, Law & Order airs on TNT a total of approximately ten times a day.
