Reality TV shows are designed to be watched differently than scripted series, especially in the era of streaming, where countless options are readily available. Although reality TV wasn’t originally intended for binge-watching, its evolution over the years has made it a staple for many viewers. The genre began to take shape in the early 1990s, with shows like ‘The Real World’ and ‘Road Rules’ on MTV paving the way for more diverse content.
Initially, reality TV faced scepticism and was primarily broadcast on cable, focusing on young adults experiencing significant life events. However, it gained mainstream acceptance in the mid-2000s, thanks to the success of shows like ‘Survivor’ and ‘Big Brother’, which led to the rise of competition-based programs and dating shows like ‘The Bachelor’ and ‘The Bachelorette’.
While some fans recorded episodes to binge-watch later, the concept of binge-watching was mostly limited to cable marathons until streaming services emerged in the 2010s. This shift made it easier for viewers to consume multiple episodes at once, catering to the desire for instant gratification. Today, binge-watching has become the standard across all television genres, allowing reality TV enthusiasts to explore their favourite shows at their own pace.
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–Farheen Ali