They need to have a solid lineup secured going into January. History has shown if they don’t, it’s weeks sometimes months of nothing. I don’t know why that is, but it’s happened so many times.
Nothing gets done in December and negotiations take several weeks if not longer if they don’t start until early January. But if they run out of money, there’s no other alternative
Thats why it’s best to have shows that don’t all end in December. You need things to carry you through at least February