GEN Z’S GUILTY PLEASURE: REALITY TELEVISION

From competition to romance to lifestyle, why does Gen Z love reality TV so much? And most importantly, why has 2024 been one of the best years of reality TV we’ve seen in a while? While the show concepts aren’t new, we’ve seen a fresh, unique era of reality TV stars stepping into the spotlight who have stolen not only the screen, but America’s hearts.

"Reality TV is no longer limited to a certain type of person. Now producers are diversifying their casts to represent different races, genders, and backgrounds." - C&IStudios. Peacock’s Original ‘Love Island USA’ became the #1 Reality Series in the United States across every streaming platform, with its streaming reach doubling from previous seasons. Season 6 introduced a brand new host and TV star veteran, Ariana Madix, which has transformed the show.

We’ve seen some of the most unique and unfiltered personalities emerge from this season, with many contestants accumulating more than 1 million followers on Instagram. Leah Kateb, a finalist who ruled the Love Island screen, has amassed more than 3.6 million followers, further solidifying how influential reality TV has become.

Even with the influx of new fans, these emerging stars are receiving much more than just followers. Dunkin’ brought together the finalists from season 6 to promote their $6 meal deal in a lighthearted Instagram reel that showcases the contestants' different personalities. Serena Page, JaNa Craig, and Leah Kateb are joined by their boyfriends Kordell Beckham, Kenny Rodriguez, and Miguel Harichi to promote the iconic breakfast trio that’s now available at Dunkin’. The video currently has more than 780,000 likes, and 21.3 million views, giving it the second highest engagement rate of all content on the chain’s page. (AdWeek, 2024)

We’ve also seen long-standing franchises such as The Bachelor/Bachelorette reach peak viewership this past year. Joey Graziadei’s season premiere of The Bachelor was viewed by 6.02 million across streaming platforms such as Hulu, ABC, and more. This viewership was a big change compared to the previous Bachelor Zach Shallcross’s Season 27 finale, which ranked 3.4 million watchers.

Additionally, Rachel Recchia, one of the Bachelorettes on Season 19, did a recent partnership promoting the new Beetlejuice movie, further demonstrating how reality TV stars are an influential avenue for brands to use to promote themselves.

Shows such as "Survivor," which introduced a new format by blending elements of prank wars, soap operas, and social experiments, set a new benchmark for reality TV and attracted millions to its finales. Reality TV’s ability to alter public perception and even influence political vision is evident in examples such as "The Apprentice," which not only bolstered Donald Trump's public image but also contributed to his climb in politics.

As PBS News points out, "Reality TV has had a profound impact on society, shaping cultural norms and influencing public conversation." This power to impact public discourse emphasizes the genre's evolving significance beyond mere entertainment.

The popularity of reality TV is also deeply rooted in the psychological pull it has on viewers. The so-called "car accident effect," or the human fascination with tragedy and conflict, plays an essential role in drawing people into the drama and tension that reality TV offers. The ability to experience powerful emotions vicariously—whether through the intensity of the "Survivor" contestants or the emotional rollercoasters seen in "The Bachelor/Bachelorette"—provides fans with a form of catharsis.

This emotional connection goes beyond passive viewing. It sparks audience conversations and debates, building a sense of community. As viewers discuss their favorite programs and participants, they are not just consuming content—they are actively participating in a mutual cultural phenomenon.

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