• by Wayne Friedman , Staff Writer, August 14, 2012

Documentary shows and reality shows: Know the differences between them?

The New York Postsays CNN will add "reality TV" shows to its late-night lineup. That seems to have been wrong -- or wrongly identified CNN says it is not getting into the reality TV business, though it is considering adding weekend programs similar to a "documentary-style" travel show hosted by Anthony Bourdain that it will premiere next year.

For all its prevalence on TV screens, the mere mention of "reality TV" can be polarizing -- not just for viewers, but marketers.  "Reality TV" can also bring out the ire of journalistically minded TV critics. Documentary shows? Not so much.

Cable news networks have pivoted big time over the last few years, now offering a slew of opinion-oriented newscasts. So, someone may ask, “What's next?” There is temptation for news networks to move to “real” shows -- to show how people lie, cheat, or maybe win elections. But outright reality shows? Nah.

Look at the existing daytime programming of Current, the news and opinion network from Al Gore, and you'll see a number of PBS-like documentaries -- including travel-like ones. Is that bad? Well, it isn't current daily news like bigger competing networks Fox News, CNN and MSNBC run in the daytime periods.

It's unclear what changes are in store for cable news networks in the future and what that could mean to traditional network news advertisers. TV news still typically skews to viewers 25-54, and financial and pharmaceutical marketers reign. Maybe someone is thinking about changing those business parameters.

Programming changes would seem to make sense for CNN. Recent ratings hit a 20-year low. In July, CNN president Jim Walton announced he was stepping down as president, saying, “CNN needs new thinking.”

Here's the rub: TV news networks continue to uncomfortably straddle the line between public service and business, News viewers want diversity, and so do marketers. Can everyone get along in this this environment? No, you won't be seeing what amounts to "Survivors or "Keeping up with the Khardashians" on CNN.  You might call it something else, perhaps "nonfiction TV."