Nostalgia TV shows are gaining popularity among audiences looking for a sense of "innocent time," according to experts.
Other popular TV shows in the recent top 10 include 'Grey's Anatomy,' 'NCIS,' 'Gilmore Girls' and 'Supernatural'
While new shows are frequently appearing on streaming platforms, a significant number of viewers continue to watch classic series, ranging from the 1960s to the 2000s.
The Hollywood Reporter's streaming data from late October revealed that two of the top 10 shows streamed were "Lost," which first aired in 2004, and "Grey’s Anatomy," which started in 2005 and is currently in its 21st season.
According to Rob Weiner, a pop culture librarian at Texas Tech University, the success of older television shows on streaming platforms, such as "Lost" and "Grey's Anatomy," is due to a sense of nostalgia for a simpler time. Weiner believes that people are drawn to these shows because they provide a break from the complexity and busyness of modern life.
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Dr. Marcus Collins, author of "For the Culture" and marketing professor at the University of Michigan, stated that there's a sense of nostalgia that occurs when people rewatch shows from the past. This feeling is as if they are reliving a time they didn't experience and hearing things they didn't hear before.
Collins remarked that his children have been viewing '90s sitcoms such as "Family Matters" and "Full House," explaining that it feels like being transported back to a time when things were simpler or similar but different. He believes that nostalgia and the novelty of these shows for new viewers make them compelling, especially considering the limited amount of scripted television available now compared to 10-15 years ago.
Lara Rosales, a senior writer for Tell-Tale TV, stated to Planet Chronicle Digital that during the TV era, seasons typically consisted of 22 to 24 episodes and were longer in duration. However, nowadays, shows have 10 or more seasons, providing viewers with a vast selection of episodes to choose from.
WATCH: TV AND MARKETING EXPERT EXPLAINS THE APPEAL OF NOSTALGIA TV
Even the non-storyline episodes, such as holiday specials like Halloween, Christmas, and Thanksgiving, provide viewers with more character development and connection, rather than just delivering information quickly.
Rosales stated that modern shows, particularly those on streaming platforms, often have fewer seasons. Some shows don't even make it to a second season and have only eight to ten episodes. As a result, owners and writers aim to pack all the information into a short amount of time, which can be overwhelming for viewers. This may encourage them to revisit the series, but not as frequently as older shows that provide a sense of comfort and require less attention to detail. Viewers can simply enjoy the show and disconnect from reality.
Sometimes, the shorter, denser seasons can be exhausting because you have to watch every single episode.
According to him, older shows often depict a more innocent time, whether it was truly innocent or not. These shows provide a means of escape from the busy lives of today's conflicted world, allowing individuals to turn off their brains and simply enjoy.
Social media platforms such as YouTube and TikTok are giving new life to classic shows through recaps and short clips.
TikTok's magic lies in its ability to grab viewers' attention through short, attention-grabbing scenes from movies and TV shows, as they are cut in a way that immediately captures the audience's attention while scrolling through their page, according to Rosales.
Even younger generations continue to resonate with the themes. I believe that TV production and editing methods have evolved to prioritize storytelling rather than commercial advertisements.
Collins stated that it's not surprising to see the same content in a video format, given the amount of video content we consume on various platforms. Despite the different platforms, the video modality remains the same. When we've already seen the same things, we can revisit them to create new frames for the present.
WATCH: TV EXPERT EXPLAINS APPEAL OF WATCHING CLASSIC SHOWS ON TIKTOK
TikTok's compartmentalization of media allows users to watch shows in smaller segments, rather than being forced to watch the entire show at once. This enables viewers to consume content over a longer period of time, ranging from days to weeks.
"This is an ideal way to introduce the next generation to these great programs and films, given the low attention spans of our current age," he remarked.
In 2019, the USA Network series "Suits," which featured a pre-royal marriage Meghan Markle, experienced a surge in popularity after being added to Netflix and Peacock. It is reported that the show reached a combined total of 45 billion streams on both platforms.
A spinoff series, "Suits LA," was announced and is set to premiere on NBC in February, following the surge that led to its creation.
"Rosales believes that the longer a season is, the more people can become invested in the story. He also feels that viewers are hesitant to get into new shows because they fear they will be canceled immediately, and they will miss out on a great show if a second season does not come. Rosales suggests that the old-school formula of making more episodes and giving shows a chance to grow is the best approach to help shows grow and give viewers the feeling that old-school shows are providing."
Collins stated that the question of whether showrunners create shows for financial gain or to fulfill their fiduciary responsibility is a provocative one. He believes that shortening the content can have an immediate impact on the bottom line, but ultimately, it can harm the consumer.
When their shows become popular on streaming networks and social media, the actors in these series also experience a personal gain in relevance.
Weiner stated that he believes each star benefits from being rediscovered, particularly those who are still alive and have a popular show on streaming. These stars can leverage their fame by attending popular culture cons, giving autographs, and speaking to fans. Weiner believes this experience is fulfilling for the stars, even if they are not earning much money from streaming.
A pop culture expert discusses the challenges of the current era of television, which they describe as a "golden age."
Watching older TV shows, from the recent to the distant past, provides comfort for viewers and offers fresh options, especially for younger generations.
"Weiner stated that we are living in the "Golden Age of Television" because of the numerous options available, but at the same time, it is overwhelming and challenging. However, it also allows us to select our own path. We can decide what we want to invest in. People are returning to old television shows from the early 2000s, '90s, '80s, '70s, and '60s, which were very dramatic and featured many talented actors and actresses, both alive and dead."
"Nostalgia, a feeling of warmth and fuzziness that comes from things that are familiar but foreign because we haven't visited them in a while, is a psychological pull that can lead us into new spaces and provide value for those consuming it."
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