How Does Reality TV Relate to Diffusion Theory?

First of all, let's explain what The Diffusion Theory is. The Diffusion Theory is a sociological concept that explains how innovations, ideas, behaviors, or products spread through a society or social system over time. This theory was  developed by Everett Rogers in the 1960s and was expanded by various scholars since then. The theory helps explains how and why some innovations spread rapidly while others languish. Now, you might ask how does this theory even correlate with reality tv? Reality has taken over the airwaves within the last 15 years. When the 2007 - 2008 Writers Guild of America strike occurred, it left a lot of creatives wondering how are they going to work and continue to push projects onto tv screens. So to put content onto air waves a lot of unscripted projects started to appear in replacement of the scripted shows in regards of the writers strike. Ever since reality tv has taken force and is just about on network there is. 

The adoption of reality tv amongst the Diffusion theory examines how innovations such as reality tv programming spread through a population. It explains how certain individuals or groups adopt new ideas, behaviors, or products. In the context of reality tv, diffusion theory can explain how the concept gained popularity over time, starting with early adopters and eventually reaching a broader audience. Social influence and imitation of reality tv showcases certain behaviors, lifestyles, or trends that viewers may imitate or adopt. Diffusion theory suggests that individuals are influenced by the behaviors of others within their social networks. As reality tv programs become popular and influential, they can shape societal norms and behaviors through imitation and social influence. For example, the popular reality tv show that has been on the air since 2007, is the hit show "Keeping Up with the Kardashians." Keeping up with the Kardashians showcased the lives of the rich family of rich problems along with influencing their lavish lifestyles and fancy clothes and makeup. One could analyze the diffusion of the show's popularity through this lens. When the show first aired, it followed a diffusion pattern, starting with a core audience (innovators and adopters) who were intrigued by the concept and content. As more people became aware of the show through word of mouth, advertising, or media coverage, interest grew among a broader audience. The Kardashians through their extensive use of social media and strategic marketing efforts, have been adept at generating buzz and maintaining interest in their show over time. This aligns with the concept of diffusion, where the popularity of the show spreads through various social networks and media channels. Moreover, the show's success can also be attributed to its ability to tap into cultural trends and zeitgeist, making it relevant and appealing to a wide audience. as more people become exposed to the show and its themes, they may be more likely to adopt watching it as part of their entertainment habits. Overall, while the diffusion theory might not directly explain the appeal of Keeping Up with the Kardashians, it provides a framework for understanding how the show's popularity spread and how it became a cultural phenomenon over time.

Media effects and cultural change in diffusion theory also considers the role of media in spreading innovations and influencing cultural change. Reality TV, as a form of mass media, has the power to disseminate ideas, values, and norms to a wide audience. It can accelerate the diffusion process by reaching a large number of people and facilitating discussions about the content that is portrayed. 

Diffusion theory and the adoption curve are closely related concepts that both describe the process through which innovations spread within a population. While diffusion theory provides a framework for understanding the overall process of innovation adoption, the adoption curve is a graphical representation of how the adoption of an innovation typically progresses over time within a population. The adoption curve or the S- curve, is a graphical representation of the cumulative number or percentage of adopters of an innovation over time. It typically follows an S-shaped curve, with slow initial adoption, followed by rapid growth, and eventually reaching a plateau as adoption saturates the market. The adoption curve illustartes how different segments of the population adopt innovations at different rates, with some embracing change more quickly than others. It provides insights into the dynamics of innovation diffusion and can help organizations and policymakers develop strategies to promote adoption and manage the diffusion process effectively. I know you're probably wondering how does this intersect with reality tv? Well in the context of reality tv, audiences can be segmented based on their level of interest and engagement with the genre. Some viewers may be early adopters who eagerly consume new reality tv shows, while others may be more skeptical or resistant to the format. 

A lot of reality tv stars build their fan base from social media as well. We all know how information can spread quickly, one retweet and the rest of Twitter is "flocking." Reality stars worlds revolves around platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, and even TikTok. These reality stars take on roles as influencers and they use their platforms to shape opinions, behaviors, and trends among their audience through their content and engagement. With one click or tap content can get shared to thousands or millions of people across the internet within seconds. Diffusion theory on the other hand, concerned with the spread of innovations, may examine a more gradual process over time as innovations move through different stages of adoption within a population.