Tired of Reality TV, but Still Tuning In (630 hits)
Reality shows generally cost less than half as much to produce as scripted television.
In a recent poll by TiVo, television viewers said they were growing tired of reality shows, with 40 percent calling reality the most overdone genre of programming. (Suspense was the viewers’ favorite.)
Networks are leaning heavily on their proven fare, like “America’s Got Talent” on NBC, with Prince Poppycock. But in the only poll that counts — the ratings — viewers also had an overwhelming favorite for the summer season of TV, and it wasn’t suspense.
Reality shows again dominated ratings this summer, especially among viewers whom the majority of networks consider most valuable, those 18 to 49. On broadcast television, 15 of the top 20 highest-rated programs among that younger adult group were reality or unscripted shows.
The shows all had familiar names, like “America’s Got Talent” on NBC, “Big Brother” on CBS, “The Bachelorette” on ABC and “So You Think You Can Dance” on Fox. All of those have worked well for the networks in previous summers.
What viewers say they want and what they really watch are not the same. “It’s clear people have their favorite summer pastime reality shows, and they’re watching them,” said David F. Poltrack, the chief research officer for CBS.
The biggest unscripted show of summer on television, without challenge, has been a cable show featuring real people of a particular kind: “Jersey Shore” has been posting stunning ratings results for MTV. In the last measured week, which included the episode on Sept. 2, “Jersey Shore” had 4.4 million viewers ages 18 to 49, more than anything else on television.
The fact that shows are coming back and becoming reliable staples in summer, Mr. Poltrack said, “increases what was already an economic advantage.” Reality shows generally cost less than half as much to produce as scripted television.
“If you can bring these shows back on a regular basis,” Mr. Poltrack said, “then you don’t have the risk of failure. Bad reality shows can do some really abysmal numbers and die very quickly. The fact that you’ve got a proven performer, one that you know is going to keep the lights on for you in the summer, is a definitely a tremendous advantage.”
