There’s just something captivating about reality TV, isn’t there? It lets us enjoy real-life dramas, hilarious competitions, and fascinating glimpses into lives beyond our own from the comfort of our own home. Reality TV offers truly unique entertainment, full of unscripted moments that can surprise, delight, or even shock us, Iand can be a fun and easy way to unwind after a long day.
To help you find your next obsession, we’ve put together our list of the best reality TV shows right now. Our handy guide covers everything from nail-biting competition series and insightful docu-reality, to entertaining celebrity reality shows, all ranked by their impressive viewer count. Get reading to find out where you can start streaming the best reality TV shows that everyone is talking about.
What are the best reality TV shows right now?
Who is a better judge of reality TV than audiences right? So, we’ve organised our list by viewer count, to make sure you get only the hottest TV shows to stream right now. This way, you can find widely enjoyed competition series, compelling docu-reality, and entertaining celebrity reality shows that the public are genuinely watching.
For every show, you’ll find out what its called, who’s involved, and the streaming service where it’s available. We also include who made it, what exactly its about, what sort of reality TV it is, and the runtime. Crucially, we provide the actual viewer count, offering you a complete and helpful overview to pick your next binge.
Alone
Reality •Documentary
Overview
Hardcore survivalists are put by themselves in the Vancouver Island wilderness, without camera crews, teams, or producers – on a single mission to stay alive for as long as possible.
Cast
Dub Paetz, Sarah Poynter, William Larkham Jr., Timber Cleghorn
The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch
Reality •Horror •Documentary
Overview
The investigation of the world’s most mysterious hot spot for UFO and “High Strangeness” phenomena with astrophysicist Dr. Travis Taylor who joins real estate tycoon Brandon Fugal, along with his team of scientists and researchers on Utah’s notorious Skinwalker Ranch. The team utilizes cutting edge technology to investigate the 512-acre property to uncover the possibly “otherworldly” perpetrators behind it all. With everything from mysterious animal deaths to hidden underground workings and possible gateways that open to other dimensions, witness the close encounters that go beyond conventional explanation, as the team risks everything to finally reveal the ultimate secret of Skinwalker Ranch.
Cast
Travis Taylor, Brandon Fugal, Bryant “Dragon” Arnold, Tom Winterton, Erik Bard
Duration
42 minutes
The Great British Baking Show
Reality •Drama
Overview
Bakers attempt three challenges each week trying to impress the judges enough to go through to the next round and eventually are crowned Britain’s best amateur baker.
Cast
Mary Berry, Paul Hollywood, Mel Giedroyc, Sue Perkins
Duration
57 minutes
Grand Designs
Documentary •Reality
Overview
British television series which features unusual and often elaborate architectural homebuilding projects.
Cast
Kevin McCloud
The Great British Sewing Bee
Reality
Overview
Amateur sewers take on challenges as they compete to be named Britain’s best home sewer.
Cast
Guido Maria Kretschmer
Love It or List It Australia
Reality
Overview
Andrew Winter and Neale Whittaker help homeowners across the country with one of life’s biggest dilemmas – renovate or sell up. Andrew and Neale are battling for the hearts and heads of our homeowners as they try to discover what’s best for the family.
Cast
Neale Whitaker, Andrew Winter
Duration
46 minutes
Project Runway
Reality
Overview
Aspiring fashion designers compete for a chance to break into the industry. Each week, a designer is eliminated from the competition after exhibiting their work in front of a judges’ panel.
Director
Ariel Boles
Cast
Christian Siriano, Brandon Maxwell, Nina Garcia, Meg Ferguson, Kenneth Barlis
Duration
56 minutes
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
Reality
Overview
A reality series that follows some of the most affluent women in the country as they enjoy the lavish lifestyle that only Beverly Hills can provide.
Cast
Kyle Richards, Erika Jayne, Dorit Kemsley, Garcelle Beauvais, Sutton Stracke
The Real Housewives of Orange County
Reality
Overview
A view into the lives of several women and their families who live in one of the wealthiest communities in the country with the viewer taken “inside the gates” to show their lives aren’t always perfect.
Cast
Tamra Judge, Shannon Storms Beador, Emily Simpson, Heather Dubrow, Gina Kirschenheiter
Below Deck
Reality
Overview
The upstairs and downstairs worlds collide when this young and single crew of “yachties” live, love and work together onboard a luxurious mega yacht while tending to the ever-changing needs of their wealthy, demanding charter guests.
Cast
Lee Rosbach, Rachel Hargrove, Francesca Rubi, Elizabeth Frankini, Ashling Lorger
Naked Attraction
Reality •Romance
Overview
The show looks at whether a partner can be found based solely on the naked body and animal magnetism. Two singletons join host Anna Richardson as they seek to choose a date from a selection of six naked people, who will be revealed to them one body part at a time. They then get dressed and head off on a date, to see if there is any chemistry when the clothes come on.
Cast
Milka Loff Fernandes
Eva Longoria: Searching for Mexico
Documentary •Reality •History
Overview
Follow Eva Longoria as she traverses Mexico exploring one of the most popular, and arguably misunderstood, global cuisines. From harvesting blue agave for tequila as the Aztecs once did, to slow cooking traditional mole sauce in Oaxaca, join Longoria as she journeys across the many vibrant regions of Mexico to reveal its unique and colorful cuisines.
Cast
Eva Longoria
Gogglebox Australia
Reality
Overview
Some of Australia’s most opinionated and avid TV viewers comment on the best, worst and controversial shows and news stories of the past week, from the comfort of their sofas.
Duration
47 minutes
Escape to the Chateau
Reality •Documentary
Overview
Dick Strawbridge and his partner (subsequently wife) Angel Adoree swap their two-bed flat in Essex for an abandoned French chateau. Can they bring its 45 rooms and acres of land back to life?
Cast
Angel Adoree, Dick Strawbridge, Tracy-Ann Oberman
Duration
45 minutes
Grand Designs New Zealand
Reality •Documentary
Overview
The stories of creative and enterprising Kiwis who are taking on the challenge of building their own unique and inspirational homes. No design is too ambitious, and no obstacle too large in their quest for the perfect house.
Cast
Tom Webster
The Great Celebrity Bake Off for SU2C
Reality
Overview
Celebrity contestants take part in a special version of The Great British Bake Off in aid of charity Stand-Up to Cancer.
Cast
Paul Hollywood, Prue Leith, Noel Fielding, Matt Lucas
Duration
58 minutes
The Great Pottery Throw Down
Reality
Overview
Ten home potters from around the country head to Stoke-on-Trent, the home of pottery, in their quest to become Top Potter.
Cast
Keith Brymer Jones, Siobhán McSweeney
Selling Houses Australia
Reality
Overview
Selling Houses Australia is an Australian TV show, based on the British show of the same name. The series follows property owners who are having difficulty selling their home. Led by property expert Andrew Winter, the team initially assess the property, and then proceed with a renovation to boost the property’s appeal and saleability. The property is then put up for sale and the result is shown at the end of each episode.
Cast
Andrew Winter, Dennis Scott, Wendy Moore
Duration
48 minutes
Billion Dollar Playground
Documentary •Reality
8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown
Comedy •Reality
Overview
Jimmy Carr hosts proceedings as the 8 Out of 10 Cats crew take over the words and numbers quiz.
Cast
Jimmy Carr, Jon Richardson, Rachel Riley, Susie Dent, Robert Deaton
Frequently asked questions
Competition series are fantastic because you get to watch real people push their limits, showcasing incredible talents or enduring intense challenges. The suspense of eliminations and the ultimate pursuit of a prize keep you totally hooked, making every episode an exciting ride. The Great Australian Bake Off, Masterchef Australia, and Top Chef are just some of the competition reality programs that are popular in Australia.
Docu-reality offers a fascinating glimpse into real lives and unique professions, blending documentary style with engaging personal stories. You’ll often see unscripted moments and authentic interactions, providing a more genuine look at various subcultures, industries, or family dynamics.
Celebrity reality shows offer you a peek behind the curtain of fame, showing famous personalities navigating everyday life, personal drama, or quirky challenges. It’s often a fun, relatable way to see your favourite stars in a more unfiltered setting, providing plenty of laughs and surprising moments. Some great examples are The Kardashians, The Baldwins, The Family Stallone, and The Real Housewives franchise.
Streaming platforms consider several factors, including audience demand, trending topics, and licensing opportunities. They aim to provide a diverse range of shows that appeal to various tastes, ensuring you have plenty of options, from international hits to local Australian favourites.
Yes, you’ll find a fantastic selection of the best reality TV shows available on Australian streaming services. Platforms like Foxtel Now, Stan, BINGE, and even free-to-air catch-up services frequently feature popular competition, docu-reality, and celebrity reality programs for you to enjoy.
Viewer count is a strong indicator of a reality show’s popularity and broad appeal. While it doesn’t always guarantee a perfect fit for your personal taste, high viewer numbers often suggest a show is effectively engaging audiences with its format, characters, or compelling drama.
Reality TV producers work to capture genuine moments by placing participants in real situations and allowing natural interactions to unfold. While editing helps shape the narrative, the core reactions and outcomes are often unscripted, ensuring you get authentic human drama and emotion.
The best way is to use the recommendation engines on your streaming services, which learn your viewing habits. Also, keep an eye on social media trends and entertainment news. We’re always highlighting exciting new reality TV, helping you find your next obsession.
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