The secret sauce of reality dating shows: why we’re all hooked

Love in the limelight

From the romps and romance of Too Hot to Handle and The Bachelor to the luxury hotel dates of South Korea’s Single’s Inferno, why can’t we get enough of reality TV romance? Let’s take a Deep Dive.

?? Sex and relationships used to be taboo topics in the public sphere up until the first TV dating show, The Dating Game, premiered in the sixties.

?? Since then, reality dating shows have evolved and often mirror societal values and norms of the times, offering viewers relatable narratives.?

?? These shows offer a form of escapism, allowing viewers to immerse themselves in the romantic journeys of others, as well as the carefully curated blend of exotic locales, attractive participants and plot twists.

QUOTABLE

“I think people know that reality TV is not real life. Producers’ jobs are to produce entertainment and storylines. You have to take everything with a grain of salt, use your brain, hopefully, show your best colours and realise what you’re getting into.”

— Bennett Jordan, The Bachelorette Season 16 contestant

BY THE NUMBERS

39% Dating shows make up 39 per cent of all reality TV, making them the most popular genre in the category.

7 million According to producer Kim Jae-won, Single’s Inferno 3 is the most successful season yet with 7 million viewing hours. The first two seasons each garnered 6 million viewing hours.

25 The UK’s Love Island, where a group of singles stay in a villa for a few weeks, has been replicated in more than 25 countries.?

US$1,000 Not all contestants on reality dating shows get paid. If they do, it’s about US$1,000 a week, a Love Is Blind contestant once revealed.??

QUIZ

From which dating show are more than half of its contestants still together?

A. Love Island

B. 90 Day Fiancé

C. Heart Signal

Scroll to the bottom for the answer.?

DID YOU KNOW?

In South Korea, where divorce still carries stigma, shows like Divorce Camp and Decision to Divorce offer practical solutions to help couples mend their relationships.

THE EDIT

????? Embracing diversity. Shows like Japan’s The Boyfriend break new ground by focusing on same-sex relationships, reflecting evolving societal attitudes.

?? Age is just a number. Similarly, Love Village on Netflix challenges the typical youth-centric narrative by featuring older participants ranging from 35 to 59.

?? Scripted love. Fans in the UK are falling out of love with reality dating shows knowing that what they see on screen is dramatised.?

WATCH

TV is split on marriage—fictional shows downplay it, while reality TV obsessively fast-tracks it. This video explores what that divide says about our views on love, commitment and the lasting influence of rom-com idealism.

THE FULL PICTURE

Netflix’s Love Is Blind was ranked the fifth most streamed programme in the US, with 13.1 billion minutes viewed in 2023.?

KEY PLAYER

Chuck Barris

Producer and host Chuck Barris revolutionised television by creating The Dating Game and The Newlywed Game, pioneering the modern reality dating show format that continues to thrive today.

HONOUREE TO KNOW

Grace Ann Chua

Grace Ann Chua’s social enterprise Friendzone aims to reminds people of the power of community. It develops workshops and hosts meetups in diverse groups to help them form meaningful connections friendships. In 2023, Chua received her dating coach certification and started HTHT, organising workshops and events for youths seeking perspective and support in their relationships.

ONE FINAL THING

In a rush to get married... and divorced? Well, there’s already a budget for it. On the show Married at First Sight where singles get married the moment they meet, the producers preemptively set aside money for a divorce. The catch? You’ll have to wait a year to apply for the divorce.

NEXT TIME

The answer to the quiz is B (90 Day Fiancé).