It’s Not Just ‘Trash TV’—Here’s Why You’re Addicted to the Drama

They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder—and the same seems to apply to television. One viewer’s trash TV is another’s favorite guilty pleasure. In fact, according to recent survey data from self-proclaimed reality TV fans, 75% still describe the genre as a “guilty pleasure.”

Love it or love to hate it, the numbers are hard to ignore. Hundreds of millions of viewers stream buzzy hits like “Love Is Blind,” while long-running staples like “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette” still pull in roughly three to five million viewers per episode.

And fans are tuning in in all kinds of ways. Nearly half of respondents (47%) say they watch reality TV solo, while 32% turn it into a watch-party event. Another 18% say reality shows are their go-to entertainment on the treadmill or doing chores.

However you watch it, one thing is clear: With a steady stream of new shows, viral moments and breakout personalities, reality TV isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

Thou shalt sign up for the drama: How reality TV is driving streaming signups

Case in point: The highly anticipated new season of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” launched on Hulu on March 12 and promises another round of #MomTok drama.

We wanted to know just how much the drama draws viewers in — and the results suggest it’s a major driver of new signups.

Nearly two-thirds of respondents (64%) say they’ve already signed up for or plan to sign up for Hulu specifically to watch the new season of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” along with the upcoming season of “The Bachelorette” featuring #MomTok queen Taylor Frankie Paul.

That’s good news for streaming platforms leaning into buzzy reality franchises—viewers are clearly willing to subscribe if it means getting the latest tea.

Even among those who aren’t planning to tune in to “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” the behavior holds. Six in 10 respondents say they’ve signed up for a new streaming service solely to watch a favorite reality show, and 82% say they typically keep the subscription even after the season ends.

It turns out viewers aren’t just watching for the drama, they’re also picking favorites. Half of the respondents say they enjoy watching “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” and when asked to rank the cast, Jen claimed the top spot, followed by Taylor Frankie Paul and Layla. The rest of the fan-favorite lineup includes Whitney, Mikayla, Miranda, Mayci, Jessi, and Demi.

Favorite “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” cast members, ranked

1. Jen
2. Taylor
3. Layla
4. Whitney
5. Mikayla
6. Miranda
7. Mayci
8. Jessi
9. Demi

Some of that popularity is already extending beyond the Hulu series. Several cast members have appeared in other entertainment projects, including Jen and Whitney’s appearances on “Dancing With the Stars” last season, Whitney’s run on Broadway, and Taylor Frankie Paul’s upcoming turn as the lead on the next season of “The Bachelorette,” airing March 22, 2026.

With a #MomTok favorite now stepping into one of reality TV’s most recognizable franchises, we also wanted to see how audiences are watching “The Bachelorette” and what keeps them tuning in season after season.

Roses, reality, and ratings

Now entering its 30th season, “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette” franchise remains a longtime fan favorite. While Taylor Frankie Paul’s appearance is drawing in some new viewers (15%), many fans say they’d be tuning in regardless—one in four respondents plan to watch the upcoming season no matter who’s handing out the roses.

The franchise’s staying power is clear in the longevity of its audience. The average fan says they’ve been invested in the series for at least five years, suggesting viewers keep coming back season after season to see how the love stories unfold.

Social media is also playing a growing role in drawing people in. Thirty percent of respondents say they’ve been influenced to watch the show after seeing clips online, a sign that viral moments and trending content are shaping viewing habits. Meanwhile, 26% say they simply enjoy dating reality shows in general, making “The Bachelorette” just the latest stop in their rotation of romantic reality TV.

After the final rose: The reality shows fans love the most

So what happens after the final rose has been accepted? Our survey looked beyond a single franchise to see which reality shows viewers keep coming back to. About 30% of viewers say they tune in to reality TV for the tea, while 29% say they watch because they enjoy the cast and storylines.

And while dating shows dominate much of the reality TV conversation, the long-running competition series “Survivor,” now in its 50th season, actually ranks as viewers’ top favorite overall, with the Bachelor franchise close behind.

Top 5 favorite reality TV shows and franchises in 2026

1. “Survivor”
2. “The Bachelor”
3. “The Bachelorette”
4. Love Island
5. The Real Housewives

How viewers are watching the drama

So how are fans watching all this reality TV content? Streaming remains the dominant way to binge-watch, with 59% of respondents saying they tune in through streaming platforms.

Still, traditional TV isn’t out of the picture just yet. About 29% of viewers say they still watch episodes live, suggesting reality TV continues to be one of the few genres keeping audiences tuned into scheduled programming.

How Americans watch reality TV

• 59% streaming full episodes on a streaming platform
• 29% watch live on TV when they air
• 12% watch recorded episodes or social media clips

The rest of us are catching up in other ways—from recorded episodes to social media recaps that let fans stay in the loop without watching every minute. In an era of viral clips and trending moments, sometimes the drama travels just as far on TikTok or Instagram as it does on screen.

Whether it’s tuning in for the tea, following a favorite cast member, or signing up for a new streaming service just to keep up with the drama, one thing is clear: reality TV continues to hold viewers’ attention.

From longtime franchises like “The Bachelor” and “Survivor” to buzzy newcomers like “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” audiences are still eager to watch the drama unfold, however and wherever it streams next.

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