Why ‘Dad TV’ is Taking Over Streaming
By Movieguide® Contributor
The popularity of easy-to-follow shows – labeled ‘Dad TV’ – has seen a resurgence across streaming platforms in recent years, led by REACHER and YELLOWSTONE.
The preferences of consumers are always changing. However, consumer’s desires always seem to cycle back toward things of the past. While complex, long-form narratives have been TV’s bread and butter for the past two decades, the tides are turning towards simpler content that doesn’t require an intense mental commitment to understand.
These simpler shows have been dubbed “Dad TV” and harken to an earlier era of television. The elements of the “easy-to-watch shows” of the 1960s and ‘70s, like OUTLAWS, STARSKY AND HUTCH, KOJAK and BARETTA, are resurfacing in some of today’s most popular shows, Robert Thompson, professor of TV, radio and film at Syracuse University, told Yahoo Entertainment.
“So much of good TV is really complicated,” Thompson said. “That’s why something like REACHER is so appealing. You don’t need to bring your liberal arts comparative literature degree to watch it.”
The shows also typically feature feel-good storylines with relatable characters who prevail over evil, something that has been hit or miss among other types of media for years.
While the Dad TV label was originally meant to be a knock against a show, it now represents one of the most profitable avenues for content. However, REACHER star Alan Ritchson believes the label doesn’t quite capture the reach of these shows.
“For me, it’s not ‘Dad TV,’ it’s ‘family TV,’” Ritchson told GQ. “I walk down the street and little ladies on their walkers are like, ‘Reacher… Reacher…’ It’s such a misnomer to me to qualify this as ‘Dad TV.’ But I am a father and I, too, love the show. Maybe it does work.”
“I’ve shown my kids the show,” he added. “I let them watch season one…Within context, it all made sense. They loved it, man.” Movieguide® would advise extreme caution when watching this show with children, as REACHER relies heavily on violence, nudity and profanity.
Part of Movieguide®’s review for REACHER Episode 2.5, “Burial,” reads:
Episode Five of REACHER: Season Two is an exciting, slam-bang episode. Season Two is one of the more gripping action series available on the major streaming outlets. Best of all, Episode Five has strong Christian, pro-family, patriotic values and overt references to resurrection and eternal life through Jesus. The best scenes, which are extremely moving and uplifting, are smack dab in the middle of Episode Five. However, MOVIEGUIDE® advises extreme caution because of strong foul language and intense violence involving ruthless, murderous terrorists in Episode Five of REACHER: Season Two.
Dad TV has become more lucrative for streaming services because of the audience it attracts. While these shows appeal to any age, they seem to be especially popular among middle-aged to older audiences, a demographic that can afford a monthly subscription.
“These streamers and networks are realizing they need to tap into this very desirable demographic that has an established income, that is likely to pay to subscribe to these services, and nevertheless, will consume content that is kind of designed for them,” author Walt Hickey told Yahoo Entertainment. “It’s not a particularly novel approach, but it’s definitely one that works.”
Finding a stable audience will only continue to be more important for streaming services as they continue to chase profitability within the industry.
Movieguide® previously reported on streamer profitability:
Paramount’s CEO, Bob Bakish, revealed the company’s plans for the upcoming year, revealing a continued focus on finding profits through strategic marketing and staff cuts.
“We’re unleashing the power of our content, which remains our mission no matter what challenges we face,” Bakish said. “As an industry we’ve confronted a soft ad market, a volatile macroeconomic environment and two historic strikes just in the last year. All while navigating the ongoing evolution of the streaming business, as industry sentiment and metrics for success continue to shift.”
“And we’ve been on our own journey as a company – to realize the full potential of One Paramount as we transition our business from linear to streaming, and continue fine-tuning how we window and monetize our content,” he continued.
Bakish went on to explain how the company would continue to grow throughout 2024 as Paramount looks to improve its profitability and grow its brand image.
- Content: +1Share:
- Content: +2