• by Wayne Friedman , Staff Writer, December 24, 2024

Unscripted TV shows remain a staple of the overall TV show ecosystem. But it has becoming more challenging, and production costs are climbing.

That's not a good sign now for the current marketplace that perhaps more than ever is focused on savings.

Unscripted TV has seen sharply slower development among TV networks and streamers since the actors' and writers' strikes of a year ago.

A reversal of sorts has been going on -- with many networks moving to more scripted programming content, which can be perceived as having more long-term library value.

This isn’t to say that high-profile big-branded and longtime unscripted shows, including singing and race competition shows, are going away.

This list includes ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars,” “American Idol,” “Shark Tank” and “The Bachelor,” CBS’ “Survivor” and “The Amazing Race,” and Fox’s “The Masked Singer.”

The problem is that linear TV network time-period real estate is getting harder to come by for new untested, unscripted entertainment content. So the existing content gets renewed at a higher rate -- with more spinoffs.

The latter includes cable TV’s big TV brand names, such as Bravo’s big efforts around seemingly always growing “Real Housewives” and “Vanderpump Rules” franchises.

Streaming platforms also have had an effect on the situation.

TV networks increasingly use their linear TV airing of shows -- of all types, scripted, unscripted or otherwise -- to boost up their respective streaming platforms. This can be especially necessary for bigger-budgeted scripted TV shows that need more reach for high-paying advertisers.

While major legacy media owned streaming platforms have just edged into some low-level profitability, executives are still hyperfocused on production costs. A year or so ago, cost pressures grew and premium streamers adjusted by scrutinizing all new TV and movie content. That has had an effect on unscripted shows.

One other factor to consider is rerun value. It can be sometimes tough to pull in new viewers to older seasonal unscripted shows when season-ending results are well known.

What is the bottom line? Overall unscripted TV shows are still cost-effective compared to scripted entertainment. An episode of a reality show can cost approximately $100,000 to more than $500,000 per episode to produce. That’s why they will continue to be around for a long time.

But for newer TV shows it will continue to be like trying to survive in a shark tank.

Maybe that’s a spinoff -- new reality TV producers trying to get funding and business partners on ABC’s “Shark Tank.” Are you in, Mr. Wonderful?