Editing Reality television (section)

=== 2020s ===
Television development across all genres was impacted in 2020 by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], which forced many reality competition series to suspend production (and in some cases curtail a competition already in progress, such as [[Big Brother Canada season 8|Canadian]] and [[Bigg Boss (Malayalam season 2)|Malayalam]] versions of ''Big Brother''),<ref name="charity">{{cite web |last1=Furdyk |first1=Brent |date=April 1, 2020 |title='Big Brother Canada' Donates Season 8 Prize Money To Charities Responding To Coronavirus |url=https://etcanada.com/news/619239/big-brother-canada-donates-season-8-prize-money-to-charities-responding-to-coronavirus/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200404031821/https://etcanada.com/news/619239/big-brother-canada-donates-season-8-prize-money-to-charities-responding-to-coronavirus/ |archive-date=2020-04-04 |access-date=April 2, 2020 |website=etcanada.com |publisher=ET Canada}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=18 March 2020 |title=Coronavirus: Bigg Boss Malayalam season 2 to be called off |work=theweek.in |url=https://www.theweek.in/news/entertainment/2020/03/18/coronavirus-bigg-boss-malayalam-season-2-to-be-called-off.html |access-date=August 22, 2022 |archive-date=August 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220822054450/https://www.theweek.in/news/entertainment/2020/03/18/coronavirus-bigg-boss-malayalam-season-2-to-be-called-off.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=18 March 2020 |title='Bigg Boss' Malayalam to go off air soon over COVID-19 fears |work=thenewsminute.com |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/bigg-boss-malayalam-go-air-soon-over-covid-19-fears-120524 |access-date=August 22, 2022 |archive-date=August 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220822054450/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/bigg-boss-malayalam-go-air-soon-over-covid-19-fears-120524 |url-status=live }}</ref> until such time that production could recommence with appropriate health and safety protocols approved by local authorities.<ref>{{Cite web |last=White |first=Peter |date=2020-03-26 |title=Non-Scripted Producers Plot "Corona-Proof" Programming & Uplifting Formats To Launch During & After COVID-19 Crisis |url=https://deadline.com/2020/03/non-scripted-producers-corona-proof-undercover-boss-pawn-stars-1202893090/ |access-date=2022-08-22 |website=Deadline |language=en-US |archive-date=August 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220822054403/https://deadline.com/2020/03/non-scripted-producers-corona-proof-undercover-boss-pawn-stars-1202893090/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=White |first=Peter |date=2020-03-26 |title='American Idol, 'Ninja Warrior', 'SYTYCD' & 'MasterChef' Among Unscripted Series In Limbo As Networks Deal With Reality Of COVID-19 Crisis |url=https://deadline.com/2020/03/american-idol-ninja-warrior-sytycd-masterchef-unscripted-series-limbo-covid-19-crisis-1202893107/ |access-date=2022-08-22 |website=Deadline |language=en-US |archive-date=May 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528155630/https://deadline.com/2020/03/american-idol-ninja-warrior-sytycd-masterchef-unscripted-series-limbo-covid-19-crisis-1202893107/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Due to their quicker turnaround times, the U.S. networks used reality series and other unscripted content (including those delayed from their summer lineups) to fill gaps in their schedules while the production of scripted programming resumed.<ref name=":23">{{Cite web |date=2020-09-04 |title=The pandemic wiped out the fall TV schedule. Does it matter? |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2020-09-04/fall-tv-shows-schedule-covid-19 |access-date=2020-09-22 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US |archive-date=August 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220822054450/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2020-09-04/fall-tv-shows-schedule-covid-19 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":25">{{Cite web |last=White |first=Peter |date=2020-08-27 |title=ABC Dates 'The Bachelorette' As Part Of Unscripted Fall Schedule, Eyes October Return For Scripted Originals |url=https://deadline.com/2020/08/abc-unscripted-schedule-bachelorette-1203024536/ |access-date=2020-08-27 |website=Deadline |language=en |archive-date=August 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220822054450/https://deadline.com/2020/08/abc-unscripted-schedule-bachelorette-1203024536/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

At the same time, reality television continued to evolve in response to broader platform shifts and changing audience behaviors. The rise of streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Max (formerly HBO Max) led to a new wave of reality formats, including dating shows like ''[[Love Is Blind (TV series)|Love Is Blind]]'' (2020–present) and ''[[Too Hot to Handle (TV series)|Too Hot to Handle]]'' (2020–present), competitive series like ''[[The Circle (American TV series)|The Circle]]'' (2020–present), and docu-soaps such as ''[[Dubai Bling]]'' (2022–present).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Longeretta |first=Emily |date=2023-04-26 |title=Reality TV Power Players in 2023: Meet the Minds Who Changed TV Forever From 'Love is Blind' to 'Real World: Homecoming' |url=https://variety.com/lists/love-is-blind-real-world-reality-tv-impact/rod-aissa-2/ |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-09-27 |title=Best Streaming Services of this new era |url=https://apacbusinessheadlines.com/the-rise-of-streaming-services/ |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=apacbusinessheadlines.com |language=en-GB}}</ref> Short-form platforms like TikTok also influenced traditional reality programming, with many new shows integrating viral challenges and social media interactions into their formats.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Sarah |title=Revolutionizing Media & Entertainment with Short-Form Video Trends |url=https://www.numberanalytics.com/blog/revolutionizing-media-with-short-form-video-trends |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=www.numberanalytics.com |language=en-US}}</ref> Reality competitions centered around specialized skills, such as ''[[Is It Cake?]]'' (2022–present), gained popularity for offering cozy, niche viewing experiences that appealed to audiences seeking lighter, feel-good content.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hibberd |first=James |date=2022-04-06 |title='Is It Cake?' Inside Netflix's Mindlessly Brilliant Hit |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/is-it-cake-netflix-interview-1235125044/ |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref> The demand for escapism and creativity during a period of global uncertainty led networks and streaming platforms alike to invest in more experimental and genre-blending formats.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Syfret |first=Wendy |date=2021-04-13 |title=I turned to reality TV to escape during the pandemic – until reality caught up |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/apr/14/i-turned-to-reality-tv-to-escape-during-the-pandemic-until-reality-caught-up |access-date=2025-04-21 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

Internationally, there was also a surge in non-Western reality content gaining global traction, particularly from South Korea, Japan, and India. Shows like ''[[Single's Inferno]]'' (South Korea, 2021–present), ''[[Physical: 100]]'' (South Korea, 2023–present), ''[[Indian Matchmaking]]'' (India/USA, 2020–present showcased a blend of competition, romance, and cultural elements that resonated with worldwide audiences through platforms like Netflix.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ford |first=Lily |date=2025-02-28 |title=How 'Single's Inferno' Broke the Korean Mold to Become One of Netflix's Most Popular Dating Shows |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/singles-inferno-netflix-south-korea-dating-reality-show-season-5-1236150280/ |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Service (KOCIS) |first=Korean Culture and Information |title=🎧 Fitness reality show 'Physical: 100' tops global Netflix chart : Korea.net : The official website of the Republic of Korea |url=https://www.korea.net/NewsFocus/Culture/view?articleId=228629 |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=www.korea.net |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-07-28 |title=Indian Matchmaking: The 'cringeworthy' Netflix show that is a huge hit |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-53499195 |access-date=2025-04-21 |language=en-GB}}</ref>