Why IRL streaming is the new Reality TV

From TV Screens to Live Streams

A new trend I’ve noticed from my Youtube feed is the rise of clips from streamers. Now, this is not strange for me because I’m used to seeing gaming shorts on my feed… except these weren’t gaming clips. These were IRL streamers. A new generation of content creators.

Whether it be Twitch, Youtube Live, Instagram Live or even the newer platform Kick; the era of streaming is on the rise and has proved to be a very financially rewarding option for those who find success.

So what do they do that attracts audiences? Well, it’s pretty simple. The previous generations had Keeping Up With the Kardashians, Real Housewives, Survivor, Family Feud, etc.; shows that are still running but today’s generation seems to prefer to watch the new version of reality TV: streaming.

Like I said, reality shows continue to exist and even succeed to an extent with Love Island and whatnot but there is a clear decline in their audiences as Gen Z are not their primary audience. Their audience comprises of Gen X, millennials and so on. Looking to the future, it is clear that live streaming is going to takeover.

Why Gen Z Prefers Streamers Over Scripted Reality

What makes this form of reality TV so attractive to Gen Z. Well, for one thing, it takes the so called “raw” elements in reality shows which is what made them so popular and amplifies it by making it live without a chance of filtration. It is pretty evident to some of us that reality TV is to an extent scripted so they can attract audiences, live streamers make sure that people buy into the authenticity of their content by being their unfiltered selves.

Of course, there also lies the argument that if reality TV is scripted then it makes sense that even these streamers follow a certain script to farm views. While that is very likely, it doesn’t matter to the audience since they want to buy into the illusion that what they are watching is 100% real and authentic.

Performance of Realness

Streamers utilize this and then they team up with other streamers to create “Will they/Won’t They’s”, staged rifts, comic pranks, etc.. They understand the algorithm and know what type of interaction gains more views and then, they craft situations that fit this to farm more viewers.Will they/Won't they?

It is worth noting, while a lot of streamers who now gain popularity and money from their IRL streaming, they too initially started as gamers (not good ones) and while they couldn't compete in that field, they used their connections quite handily and made IRL streaming their primary form.

In fact, some streamers don't even have to try that hard. They just sit and look pretty, talking to chat about random things in their lives. And "chat" listens. "Chat" always listens. Only if the streamer is pretty. Obviously, this is only a small section of people but it is a truth nonetheless. Most successful streamers have to be given credit for the work they've put in.

It doesn’t matter if the audience is self-conscious of this fact as we will still keep watching. That’s the way the human brain functions. We can’t help ourselves. We prefer to invest our time into other people’s lives as a method of escape from our own lives.

Audience as Participants

Streamers also create interaction with the audience, with their chats being a part of their “show”. This gives people more pleasure and investment and creates more desire to watch. Some streamers even have the option to pay money for their comment to be read out aloud. The idea of being able to interact with these people is something a lot of people are willing to pay for.

Streaming is the new form of reality content and it only continues to rise in popularity, gaining more and more views and more and more followers.

#IRLStreaming #Twitch #YouTubeLive #ContentCreators #StreamingTrends