TV cuts: Reality shows boom as telly favourites feel the pinch

It is no secret that TV is making some serious cuts across the board, from BBC’s Match of the Day for Gen-Z and soap Doctors to Channel 4's Steph’s Packed Lunch announced this week.

Andy Barr, co-founder of PR agency 10 Yetis Digital, shone a light on why these shows face the axe while we have also seen an increase in filming fly-on-the-wall reality TV shows.

He told Yahoo: "Reality TV formats are growing because TV bosses know that if they hit on a formula that works well and can easily be transformed to fit a global stage, they can secure huge deals from licensing agreements. Think shows like X Factor, Pop Idol, Britain’s Got Talent and Big Brother.

"All of these have become massive cash cows as they become serialised across the globe."

While reality TV is in demand from viewers at home, so are the celebrity docu-series with streaming services rolling them out - from Netflix's Beckham and Disney+'s Coleen Rooney: The Real Wagatha Christie to Welcome to Wrexham starring Hollywood heartthrob Ryan Reynolds and the upcoming Netflix Robbie Williams documentary.

Why are there so many TV cuts?

This week saw the death of BBC's iconic soap Doctors after 23 years, plus Match of the Day for Gen-Z, while Channel 4 has given lighthearted chat show Steph’s Packed Lunch starring Steph McGovern the chop.

BBC had forecasted for 2023 that it would broadcast 1,000 fewer hours of new shows in a bid to save money — half of it coming from sport.

There was talks of cuts looming for Newsnight as lead presenter Kirsty Wark announced she was leaving the show after 30 years.

But why is it happening? PR expert Mr Batt lifted the lid on why big production shows are being shut down as TV budgets are being slashed.

He told us: "TV nowadays is about making the most engaging content possible, for as little as possible, and filming it in a way that can be easily chopped up into bite size chunks for the TikTok lovers.

"TV budgets are being slashed across the board and this is having a massive effect on the types of programmes that are now being funded and made by the traditional channels.

"Big budget productions are gone in favour of TV shows that need a smaller crew and offer a potential greater return on investment."

Rise of reality TV

While TV budgets are facing the squeeze, more and more reality shows are being filmed from Love Island to Married At First Sight.

In recent weeks, Big Brother made a big comeback after five years off air and it has made waves in the showbiz circles.

It has been a TV win, reflected in the ratings. Big Brother: The Launch hooked 3.6m viewers across ITV1 and ITV2 (across all devices).

PR mastermind Mr Barr brings attention to the key reasons why reality shows have been on the rise: its huge demand from viewers and the cheaper talent.

He added: "Reality TV formats are growing because TV bosses know that if they hit on a formula that works well and can easily be transformed to fit a global stage, they can secure huge deals from licensing agreements.

"Think shows like X Factor, Pop Idol, Britain's Got Talent and Big Brother. All of these have become massive cash cows as they become serialised across the globe.

"Another reason for the rise in reality shows is that the 'talent' they use is far cheaper. If you think about Love Island as the best example, whilst some of the contestants may go on to make huge sums from endorsements and advertising, they cost the TV channel that gives them their big break very little in terms of the fee that they are paid.

"On top of this, big productions present big risks that only the streaming platforms can afford to take. I am old enough to remember the BBC’s failed launch of a new soap called Eldorado.

"The big money mistake left a bitter taste in TV company executives' mouths and bosses are reluctant to risk going down this route again."

Celebrity docu-series

As reality series are really taking off, so are the candid celebrity docu-series where famous faces are opening up about their lives in a way they never have before.

Mr Barr added: "The rise in documentaries like the Wagatha Christie, Welcome to Wrexham and The Beckhams etc are relatively cheap to make (in comparison to productions like Game of Thrones) and can also then facilitate cost effective spin offs.

"Think how much the likes of Kaleb Cooper would cost in terms of a spin-off of Clarkson’s Farm, compared to what Jeremy Clarkson originally cost the online retail giant.

"Although the way that viewers are consuming media is changing, so is the way that TV companies are monetising their content. This is why so many of them are so willing to share content on the likes of YouTube and TikTok.

"They know that if they can build an engaged audience over on these platforms, they can generate revenue direct from the various creator options that are available. A 30-second reality-show-flare-up is going to do far better, revenue wise, on TikTok than slicing Pride and Prejudice into 100 15 second clips and sharing this."

The Beckhams were lauded for their Netflix series Beckham, in which David and Victoria addressed the Rebecca Loos scandal and affair allegations that rocked the showbiz world 20 years ago.

For the first time, the high-profile celebrity couple really spoke about the impact the headlines had on their marriage and how they were feeling at the time.

As well as looking at the former footballer's career, the docu-series covers the early days of David and Victoria's romance through to getting married and raising their family together.

It's popularity has also been matched by Coleen Rooney's Disney+ series The Real Wagatha Story in which she honestly addresses the newspaper leaks about her private life as well as her highly-publicised court battle with Rebekah Vardy.

Alongside the Wagatha Christie case, she discussed her marriage with footballer Wayne and their family life behind closed doors.

We can't wait to see which famous faces sign up for the next batch of docu-series.

Read more: Coleen Rooney:

• How Rebekah Vardy is ‘reinventing herself’ and won’t watch the Disney+ series… but will she respond?

• Coleen Rooney reveals Wayne had a vasectomy: What is it, and why do people get it?

• Coleen Rooney’s horror over Rebekah Vardy trolling and final verdict on forgiveness

Watch Coleen Rooney: The Real Wagatha Christie Story trailer below