Since the BBC first started broadcasting television programmes in the 1930s, the UK has developed an unparalleled reputation for high quality original television shows.
But as competition has grown over the past century through the increasing array of terrestrial, satellite and online entertainment, the developers of British television shows have had to come up with some surprising new formats in order to attract and entertain the rapidly growing audiences.
Reality TV
Since Big Brother landed on our screens in 2000, the phenomenon of reality TV has spread across the globe. With a huge range of shows focusing on unscripted events in the lives of ordinary people, the shows have allowed audiences to enjoy the highly entertaining activity of voyeurism.
However, some shows such as The Only Way Is Essex have added elements of the traditional soap opera in the reality TV format. And the success of these reality soaps has led to many other shows such as Geordie Shore and Made In Chelsea creating their own regional twist on the format.
The popularity of these shows has even spilled over into other entertainment forms such as the Only Way Is Slots game at Ladylucks that features a variety of motifs and themes from the TV show. Ladylucks provides over 30 mobile slots games that each feature their own theme to attract different audiences in a way that mirrors the rapidly expanding range of television shows – only with some additional introductory promotions thrown in!
Endless panel shows
Whether the increase in panel shows is a quick way for producers to cut costs by recruiting upcoming comedians to provide cheap entertainment, or is merely a way to showcase some hot new talent is up for debate. But one cannot deny that UK television is approaching saturation point when it comes to panel shows.
These can range from the intellectually stimulating programmes like QI, to the massively trivial shows like 8 Out Of 10 Cats that all use a similar format of questions, answers and a dubiously applied sense of scoring. But with long running series like Never Mind The Buzzcocks having recently been given the axe due to flagging ratings, it looks like the TV bosses might have to get a little more inventive.
The enduring power of soaps
Despite all of the revolutions in modern media, there are certain themes that will always distinguish British television. And few things are more iconic that the British soap.
With daily soaps like Coronation Street and EastEnders dominating the prime-time schedules and gaining audiences that often reach above seven million viewers, it’s a clear sign that British viewers will always seek the safe reassurance of a regular dose of kitchen sink drama.