While watching television at night, it seems like literally anyone can find a reality TV show that is just for them.

Reality shows work so well because they allow viewers to escape their day-to-day problems and watch other people’s lives unfold.

The Bravo network has always been a big network for reality TV that is watched mostly by adults. Bravo has the ongoing Real Housewives series that began airing in 2006 and is still a hit today. They have been able to expand the Real Housewives series to have multiple different shows including women from different cities around the U.S.

MTV also has multiple reality shows that began airing years ago and are still successful today. MTV aims its shows towards its teen audience. Some of their dominating shows are Catfish, Are You the One?, True Life, Teen Mom, Fear Factor, MTV Cribs — and who could forget Jersey Shore?

Many stations have been able to take shows that were successful but went off the air and bring them back. Jersey Shore ran from 2009-2012, and then this year Jersey Shore Family Vacation brought the original cast back on television.

In previous years the stereotype has been that reality shows are only for women to watch, but in recent years reality TV shows have evolved to expand their audience. Stations have added sports-related reality shows to capture men’s attention.

For example, the show Hard Knocks follows one football team every year through its training camp. This concept works well because it brings in a different audience than the normal reality show watchers, but also by switching teams each year, the fans of each team will watch the show for at least that one season. 

Reality TV shows have been airing for years and they are still as successful as when they started.