Streaming services have taken over. Netflix has gained 238.4 million new subscriptions so far in 2023, up from 220.6 million in 2022. That’s because they stopped cross-house sharing, so people had to buy accounts. Amazon Prime gained 167.2 million new subscribers, up from 163.5 million the year before. Disney is actually the one that performed the worst: 146.1 million subscribers by Q3 2023, down from 164.2 million at the end of 2022.
Our lives have started to revolve around these streaming services and shows like The Witcher, Selling Sunset, The Office—the list goes on.
It’s easy to question the relevance of live television and shows. Yet, surprisingly, live TV retains a unique charm. It draws viewers into its real-time world. In the UK, for example, they’re overrun with I’m a Celeb, Get Me Out of Here!
Below, we’re going to explore the question of whether live shows are still as popular.
Live vs On-Demand: The Thrill of the Moment
Understanding the appeal of live shows starts with differentiating them from on-demand content. Live performances offer an excitement rooted in its immediacy. It’s about being part of a moment, like watching a hypnotist with a crazy telepathy ability that makes you feel like they’re tapping into your mind.
This instantaneous connection forms a unique bond between the viewer and the show, something on-demand streaming often lacks.
Why People Love Live Entertainment
Live entertainment is just exciting, especially if you’re there. Music shows, TV audiences, theatre performances—they allow you to almost tap out of reality (if you can stop scrolling on TikTok and put your phone down).
The immediacy of these performances creates a shared experience among viewers, whether they’re in the audience or watching from their living rooms. It’s this collective experience, that feeling of “being there,” that keeps live shows in high demand.
Especially at this time of year. Do you have your Christmas panto booked yet?
The Unscripted Charm
Another element that sets live shows apart is their unscripted nature. Well, sometimes it’s not always unscripted. You know when someone says something wildly inappropriate that one of the hosts has to apologize for? Live sports, reality TV, and news events unfold in real-time, bringing an authenticity that pre-recorded shows can’t match. This unpredictability is a significant draw for viewers who crave genuine, unedited content.
Still, most shows have scripts, so someone doesn’t come out and say something crazy that will get the show canceled.
Community Connection
Live TV fosters a sense of community. Watching a live event as it unfolds brings people together, whether it’s cheering for a favorite sports team or voting in a live talent show. This communal aspect is a powerful draw, creating shared memories and experiences.
How many times have you been watching a show and messaged someone during it for a play-by-play run-through?
The Future of Live Entertainment
Live entertainment is constantly evolving. They’ve already attempted to do it by creating on-demand services with live-streaming options. And there’s no doubt that the fundamental appeal of live shows—their immediacy and shared experience—will undoubtedly remain a cornerstone of their popularity.
Live shows have not lost their sheen in the digital era. Their ability to offer real-time entertainment, communal experiences, and a taste of the unpredictable keeps them relevant and beloved. From the magic of telepathy shows to the adrenaline of live sports, these programs remind us of the joy of being part of something as it happens—a feeling that no amount of on-demand streaming can replicate.
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