Why Outlander season 3 is poised for the mainstream — and why that’s great

Do you know that song that you liked for many years before the band got famous? It’s something that many music fans out there relate to, and it’s a similar effect that could be coming for Outlander season 3 this year.

Judging from the way in which the Starz series is being promoted leading into the start of season 3 premiering this fall, all signs point to this becoming the biggest hit in the network’s history. This is a show that has received magazine covers, a huge display at San Diego Comic-Con, billboards in Hollywood, and even big premiere celebrations in both Los Angeles and New York on September 5. Clearly, the network believes that the show can expand beyond its recent ratings and pop-culture clout, and there are a number of different reasons to feel that way.

1. The timeslot – This is the first time that Outlander will air on Sunday night, and that’s huge. This move, which Starz actually initiated with Power season 3 last summer, is basically indicative of the network showing that they want to be big-time with HBO, Showtime, and some of the major broadcast networks. Having this show exist as NFL counter-programming is precisely where you want this show to be.

2. The hiatus – While in theory the Droughtlander may feel like a bad thing, the recent success of Game of Thrones shows that having longer than a year between seasons allows viewers a chance to catch up and get excited for what’s coming up. For more on that, take a look at Breaking Bad, a show that thanks to streaming and praise from the media, saw its ratings skyrocket after its own lengthy hiatus.

3. The press tour – We feel like you’re going to see more of stars Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan on television than you did for much of the first two seasons. We’re talking in terms of talk show appearances, whether it be on late-night or daytime. This is great for Outlander fans since it exposes the show to more viewers than ever before.

4. The legacy – You’ve got a show that this year is coming off of more Golden Globe love, tons of wins on the People’s Choice Awards, and some other victories in other awards shows / web polls. All of that success has to lead to more viewers, right?

Ultimately, we understand that it may be strange in a way that Outlander is not longer a hidden gem and there are more people enjoying it and talking about it than ever before. Yet, we do think that popularity only helped shows like Game of Thrones and Breaking Bad — it created more of a community around them, and it also allowed there to be some other iterations in the franchise in due time. Take, for example, Better Call Saul and some of the other spin-offs that are being planned for the HBO epic. More viewers not only means more Outlander, but also potentially other shows down the road.

Therefore, don’t be worried about Outlander becoming mainstream — it can be every bit as special as it once was.

Do you think that Outlander is going to become a mainstream sensation over the course of season 3? Be sure to share in the comments!

Meanwhile, head over to the link here in the event you want to get some additional news when it comes to the show. (Photo: Starz.)