From Extreme Weddings to Border Security: What goes into making real ‘reality’ television
Outside the realms of dating shows and talent competitions, there’s a whole avenue of reality content that doesn’t generate the same salacious headlines, but often delivers reliable ratings. At Seven, these shows are overseen by head of factual, Lyndal Marks. She speaks with Mumbrella’s Hannah Blackiston about what makes good factual TV and why viewers of all demographics love it.
The TV landscape snapshot provided by overnight figures often creates stories framed on a couple of key players – the big reality TV juggernauts or the massive sporting events that bring in over 1m metro viewers. But beyond the headlines, there are the other players, the reliable rating-givers which perform well across BVOD, in repeats or on multi-channels.
This type of viewing is dominated by factual TV. Shows like Border Security or Highway Patrol that often find a home on 7Mate or 7Two and deliver steady figures each night they are on. There are also lifestyle versions of the format, shows like Extreme Weddings and Yummy Mummies – unscripted linear programs that find popularity in the BVOD binge-watch space.
Lyndal Marks
At Seven, the remit of factual television falls to Lyndal Marks, head of factual programming. She’s had a career deserving of its own show – getting her start on 60 Minutes straight out of university, when it was under the control of famed executive producer Gerald Stone.
Really fantastic piece guys – and Lyndal is clearly very talented too!
umm did I miss something? I cant see one single sentence that answers the headline question. Probably written by 7 PR.
You’ll find that the headline helps separate two broad ideas of reality television – one is scripted and one is unscripted. Factual content = unscripted reality. The the question is answered in detail in the article.
What is BVOD
Broadcaster Video On Demand.