How Is That Ghost Hunting Show Still Running?

As someone who regularly writes about paranormal topics, a question I often encounter is, "How is that show still running?" It's a query that frequently pops up in comments on my content, and at its core is an attack on the credibility of the paranormal reality show being discussed.

Shows like 'Most Haunted', 'Help! My House Is Haunted', and 'Ghost Adventures' have amassed loyal followings, running for hundreds of episodes despite frequent criticism for being staged or lacking credibility.

The reason these shows keep going and growing, I believe, is due to the distinction between the active paranormal community and the broader audience that these shows attract. While those deeply interested in the paranormal might scrutinise these shows for their authenticity, a much larger audience watches them for pure entertainment.

Most viewers of paranormal reality shows are not ghost hunters or active participants in the paranormal debate. We know this from viewing figures alone. At its peak, 'Most Haunted' pulled in hundreds of thousands, if not millions of viewers. Their Halloween live in 2004, for example, was watched by more than 700k. We know the active paranormal community is nowhere near this size, especially considering this was more than 20 years ago, before the boom in paranormal events.

Paranormal reality shows have been around for decades, with some of the biggest titles standing the test of time. Ghost Adventures first aired in 2008 and, at the time of writing, has notched up more than 250 episodes. Even relative newcomer Help! My House Is Haunted has produced over 100 episodes since it began in 2018. These numbers highlight the ongoing demand for paranormal content, despite the scepticism that often surrounds it.

Viewers watch paranormal reality shows much like any other reality TV - for entertainment, not necessarily for a deep dive into paranormal phenomena. The shows provide a sense of mystery and escapism.

In this way, paranormal reality shows carve out a place similar to other reality TV. A genre which, in general, is often criticised for being scripted or staged, yet it remains immensely popular.

Similarly, reality shows such as 'The Only Way Is Essex' and 'Made in Chelsea' have been accused of scripting and staging scenes, yet they continue to attract large audiences. 'Keeping Up with the Kardashians' has been called out for reshooting scenes to fit a narrative. And even 'Storage Wars' has faced controversy after a former participant claimed that items were placed in storage units to enhance drama.

So, when I'm asked, "How is that show still running?" I remind myself that if someone is engaging with my content, they're likely part of the highly critical paranormal bubble, not the average armchair ghost hunter who actually watches the show.

Ultimately, these shows are still running because people love them. They're among the most popular in their genre, and that's what really keeps them on air.