AMC has decided to postpone airing the fourth season of Breaking Bad until July next year.
The show, which follows a chemistry teacher who deals crystal meth, premiered in January 2008 but the second and third seasons both started in March.
Speaking to Deadline, cast member Bryan Cranston suggested that the series might get better ratings if it airs in the summer.
"I think what AMC is thinking here is there will be less competition for us, particularly from the broadcast networks, if we launch our season during the summer than if we come back again like we did this time in March," he said.
However, Cranston revealed that a number of Breaking Bad minisodes will be made and posted on the AMC website.
"The idea is to keep people aware and interested in the show during the long time away," he said. "But I, for one, am eager to make these little interstitials important. I don't want them to be simply filler or recap, but something that actually moves the storyline forward. If we're going to do it, it ought to be a real part of the larger show."
Production on the fourth season of Breaking Bad is expected to begin in January.
