Uplifting Reality

When you look at the landscape of reality TV a lot of it falls into readily identifiable categories as varied as competition transformational and guiltypleasure docuseries of real people and their livesamp160 These are all fun genres that garner millions of viewers coverage in gossip columns and on social media and get talked about around the water coolerThere are times however when audiences just want to watch something that doesn39t make them feel like they just watched a train wreck but instead makes them feel better for having viewedamp160 In fact there39s a group of about 40 million viewers we like to call them quotUpsidersquot who watch a lot of TV so much so that it39s their main source of entertainment and actively seek out positive entertainment that uplifts shows that are reliable trustworthy heartfelt and make them feel goodamp160 However they must be every bit as entertaining as those quotguilty pleasurequot shows that are so much fun to watchThis represents a great opportunity but also a big challengeamp160 When you39re trying to find and develop shows that appeal to this audience too often when producers hear quotfeel goodquot or quotupliftingquot they pitch shows that involve kids pets charities or passion projects that are all wellmeaning and intentioned but have trouble gaining traction against the watercooler showsamp160 While we look for great characters with interesting stories to tell complete with surprising twists and turns we can39t and won39t feature mean people focus on bad behavior or dwell on violence or depressing toxic topics all staples of what can make a show buzzworthySo we have to work a little harder in finding the kind of characters and content that will deliver engaging shows of high quality and also generate the kind of interest and buzz that make the viewer want to set the DVRIn looking at pitches we look for a few key thingsStrong Charactersamp160 Our audience wants to follow individuals and families who are strong and resilient that they can both root for and admire They also want to see these characters grow and mature as they overcome personal challengesConnectionamp160 Viewers want to watch shows that highlight the value of family relationships and those big monumental life moments weddings babies etc that celebrate those values and meaningful relationships between charactersMoral Takeawaysamp160 Finally these viewers crave good takeaways or life lessonsamp160 They want to feel good about the world around them and these shows reinforce that there is still good in the world despite the overwhelming sense of negativity in news politics and other quotguilty pleasurequot programmingBut it doesn39t stop there even with these elements these stories have to be told in a way that is immersive emotional dramatic and heartwarmingamp160 So it39s not just the kind of characters and stories we39re telling but how we39re telling them that is just as importantThe UPtv shows Expecting pictured at top and Our Wedding Story are two great examples of shows that deliver on both frontsamp160 The journey to parenthood and the journey to marriage are both full of incredible highs and lows both focus on a condensed time period in a person39s life when every emotion is heightenedamp160 There are naturally occurring moments of conflict and drama that people can relate to yet are comforted knowing that the end result will always be a happy oneEach episode of Expecting follows two couples on their journey to parenthoodamp160 It39s all selfshot so viewers know we39re not fabricating any drama because the couples are documenting the journey themselvesamp160 This creates an authentic meaningful connection with the viewer so that the expectant parents39 journey becomes one they care about and want to followamp160 They are there for every twist and turn they cry when the couple suffers root for them when they encounter an obstacle and celebrate the birth with them as they would a friend or loved oneOur Wedding Story has an interesting backstory which also underscores how and why we produce shows that are upliftingamp160 When I was at TLC I came across two filmmakers who made the most beautiful wedding videos so I sought them out to see if they would be interested in developing a show around their work and they turned me downamp160 When I came to UPtv and we wanted to go into the wedding space I sought them out again and asked if they would be interestedamp160 Again another rejectionamp160 This time though because I believed in what they did and felt it matched so beautifully with what we were trying to do at UPtv I asked them why they kept turning me downThey assumed that because it was quotreality TVquot we wanted to see all kinds of fabricated drama brides behaving badly and other staples of traditional reality TV and if they did that not only would it be something they were uncomfortable with it would be bad for their business which was founded on capturing a couple39s big day and their love for one anotheramp160 I understood their concern and told them that at UPtv the only drama we wanted was if it was an outdoor wedding and it was about to rain or if it was five minutes before the ceremony and no one could find the groom After all the classic adage is that one thing will always go wrong at a wedding but that it becomes something you laugh about for years to comeOnce they understood our brand and the show we wanted was focused on the positive they signed onamp160 As for that authentic dramaamp160 From a selfdescribed accidentprone bride who cuts her foot on the dance floor to fire alarms being set off during a first dance due to sparklers in Season 1 we had real moments of drama on the big day that made the show that much more entertaining and compelling yet always positive and upliftingThe result with both of these series is that we39re creating shows that are lifeaffirming and celebrate quotlife39s biggest momentsquot in an authentic entertaining way that takes viewers on a great emotional journey that ultimately makes them feel goodamp160 And it39is working both shows have been renewed for a second season they resonate well with advertisers and have found an audience overseas through international salesamp160 It just goes to show that there is an audience out there for uplifting programmingClick the social buttons above or below to share this story with your friends and colleaguesThe opinions and points of view expressed in this content are exclusively the views of the author andor subjects and do not necessarily represent the views of MediaVillagecomMyersBizNet Inc management or associated writers

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Uplifting Reality

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Timothy Kuryak

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