This is a list of reality television series , by general type, listed with the date of their premiere. A few details are added for some shows that do not have their own article. See reality television for further descriptions.
Documentary style
In this genre, camera crews follow the daily interactions of people in ordinary places, such as airports or restaurants, or follow people in a specific profession.
Docusoaps starring celebrities
This genre, launched most successfully by music channel MTV , follows a camera crew into the lives of celebrities.
Financial transactions and appraisals
Structured reality
The Primetime Emmy Awards , which have given an award for Outstanding Structured Reality Program define structured reality shows as shows that "contain consistent story elements that mostly adhere to a recurring structured template."[ 1]
Historical re-creation
This genre takes modern-day contestants and puts them in the lifestyle of historical people or places.
Dating
In this genre, couples or singles are brought together in dating or romantic situations.
This increasingly popular genre features ordinary people having home or lifestyle makeovers with the assistance of professionals.
Lifestyle change
Here, ordinary people experience an extraordinary change in their environments or occupations.
Fantasies fulfilled
Video cameras/hidden camera
This is perhaps the oldest reality show genre, popular as far back as the early days of television.
Reality game shows/reality "playoffs"
This, the biggest and most successful reality genre, features contestants who compete for prizes, while often living together in close quarters. They usually feature the elimination of contestants until a winner is chosen. Sometimes they are considered to be "reality playoffs" since their format is similar to that of a playoff in sports.
Talent searches
Often similar to the game show genre in that there are eliminations and a final winner, this genre centers on contestants competing a specific skill or talent, rather than in random challenges.
Before 2000
2000s premieres
BattleBots (2000–2002, 2015–)
Search for a Supermodel (Australia) (2000)
Bands on the Run (2001)
Operación Triunfo (2001) (Spain)
Idol
Model Behaviour (2001–2002) (UK)
WWE Tough Enough
La Academia (2002) (Mexico)
Fame Academy (2002) (2003) (UK)
Popstars: The Rivals (2002) (UK)
Worst Driver (franchise)
Top Model
Be a Grand Prix Driver (2003) (UK)
The Big Break (2003)
Comic Relief does Fame Academy (2003) (2005) (2007)
Last Comic Standing (2003)
Nashville Star (2003)
Performing As... (2003)
Reborn in the USA (2003) (UK)
Search for the Star in a Million (2003) (Philippines ) ABS-CBN
Star Académie (2003) (France)
StarStruck (2003) (Philippines)
Surf Girls (2003)
WWE Diva Search (2003) (US)
American Candidate (2004) (US)
The Apprentice (2004–2007, US, NBC)
The Assistant (2004)
Bollywood Star (2004) (UK)
Can You Be a Porn Star? (2004)
The Contender (2004)
Dancing with the Stars (2004) (many countries)
Dream Job (2004)
Dream Job II (2004)
Get Gorgeous (2004) (India)
Hell's Kitchen (2004 – UK, 2005 – US)
Kings of Comedy (2004) (UK)
Little Big Star (2005) (Philippines)
Megasztár (2004) (2005) (2006) (Hungary)
Next Action Star (2004)
The Next Great Champ (2004)
Pinoy Pop Superstar (2004) (Philippines)
Popstars Live (2004) (Australia)
Project Runway (2004) (US)
The Rebel Billionaire: Branson's Quest for the Best (2004)
Star Circle Quest (2004) (Philippines)
Strictly Come Dancing (2004) (UK)
Super Singer (2004) (India)
Wickedly Perfect (2004) (US)
The X Factor (2004) (UK)
Afghan Star (2005) (Afghanistan)
Britain's Worst Celebrity Driver (2005) (UK)
Celebrity Wrestling (2005) (UK)
Filmstjerne (2005) (Norway)
Football Icon (2005) (UK)
Get Gorgeous II (2005) (India)
Hit Me Baby One More Time (2005) (UK)
Launchpad (2005) (India)
The Next Food Network Star (2005)
Rock Star INXS (2005)
The Scholar (2005)
So You Think You Can Dance (2005) (many countries)
Strictly Dance Fever (2005) (UK)
The Ultimate Fighter (2005, USA, Spike)
The All Star Talent Show (2006) (UK)
American Inventor (2006) (ABC)
Dancing on Ice (2006) (UK)
Dirty Dancing (2006)
Just the Two of Us (2006) (UK)
Knight School (2006, USA, ESPN)
The One: Making a Music Star (2006)
Pinoy Dream Academy (2006) (Philippines )
Rock Star: Supernova (2006)
Skating With Celebrities (2006) (US)
Soapstar Superstar (2006) (UK)
Top Chef (franchise)
The Ultimate Coyote Ugly Search (2006) (US)
VJ Search (2006) (Canada)
Who Wants to be a Superhero? (2006) (Sci-fi)
America's Most Smartest Model (2007, US)
Don't Forget the Lyrics! (2007) (many countries)
Ego Trip's The "White" Rapper Show (2007)
Grease: You're the One that I Want! (2007)
The Next Iron Chef (2007, US, Food Network)
On the Lot (2007) (US)
Phenomenon (2007, US, NBC)
Pussycat Dolls Present
Shear Genius (2007) (US)
The Shot (2007) (US)
The Singing Bee (2007) (US)
Top Design (2007) (US)
America's Best Dance Crew (2008, US)
Celebrity Bainisteoir (2008, Ireland)
Ego Trip's Miss Rap Supreme (2008)
Fáilte Towers (2008, Ireland)
High School Musical: Get in the Picture (2008)
I Know My Kid's a Star (2008)
My Kid's a Star (2008)
Redemption Song (2008)
Scream Queens (2008)
African Inventors & Innovators TV Program (2009–2014) (Nigeria )
Redemption Song (2009) (US)
Local Live (2009) (Canada)
MasterChef Australia (2009) (Australia)
RuPaul's Drag Race (2009)
Super Star K (2009) (Korea )
2010s premieres
2020s premieres
Hoax shows
Reality shows in which one or more participants are tricked into believing they are taking part in a legitimate show when they are actually the victim(s) of a joke. These types of shows are somewhat akin to hidden camera shows.
See also
References
External links