Music Talent Shows and How They Fit in The Future of the Music Industry
[Article written by Bea York for MusicFestNews]
Talent shows have made up some of the most lucrative and popular programs of our generation. It’s a formula that almost never fails: average person from a small town turns into an overnight superstar and takes the world by storm. We root for them and throw them our votes, but when was the last time the winner of a television talent show actually made a lasting impact on musical culture?
In the past decade, shows such as The Voice, American Idol, and The X-Factor have captivated viewers worldwide and sparked the careers of many singers. However, it’s impossible to ignore the significant dip that their rankings have taken recently.
Back in its prime, American Idol was hailed by many as a “zeitgeist-defining” show. Nielsen data even reported that its peak year in 2003 drew in a total of 38 million viewers. Several alumni went on to enjoy prolific careers, such as Kelly Clarkson and Jennifer Hudson, who became Grammy and Oscar winners, respectively.
Its later seasons, however, failed woefully at producing the same mass appeal, with view figures dropping down to less than half. On the other hand, The X-Factor saw its lowest launch show ratings since it started 14 years ago. Just like American Idol, the UK-based show was once at the frontlines of the entertainment industry. It even cultivated the likes of Leona Lewis and Little Mix, who produced a total of five studio albums, including releasing countless singles and music videos. However, few other contestants were able to achieve the same household name-level of popularity.
Simply put, people are no longer tuning in and competitions are unable to churn out stars like before. Here might be a few reasons why.
Viewers are satiated with the predictable formula
Once upon a time, viewers loved witnessing contestants’ journeys towards fame and fortune. They approached these story lines with an air of empathy and perhaps some hope that even the most average of joes can make it. But it was never really about the show or the artists. Media psychiatrist Carole Lieberman stated that one reason why people enjoy reality shows is because we get to live vicariously through the participants, minus having to go through the risk of reputation. Because its purpose is only as an outlet, it fails to generate real connections with audiences. Viewers are, therefore, not invested enough to shell out money for albums and shows to support these contestants after their on-screen journey has concluded.
The digital age has changed the music landscape
Thanks to the internet, today’s artists have so many more opportunities to forge a career. With sites like Spotify, iTunes Music and Soundcloud, they are able to share their music easily, even without a major label or name backing them up. Radio is no longer the only platform. Likewise, it gives viewers more options to discover new artists who would’ve otherwise fallen under their radars. With all this added competition, talent show stars become less and less appealing. Instead, people are turning to the real unsung heroes of the self-made industry — like these fresh-faced singers on YouTube — and turning them into some of the highest-earning stars of the millennia.
The standards for music and artistry are higher
For a long time, the pop industry has been widely criticized for commercializing the definition of an “artist.” Participating in a talent show relies less on actual musical talent and more on showbiz viability. On top of this, they receive no training to improve their skills, but are instead made to hone their stage presence and public relations. As such, they have virtually nothing to back them up once they are thrown into the real-world cutthroat music industry. Surviving and thriving entails more than just the perfect pitch. Connections, originality and business expertise all play a crucial part. Like we previously discussed on MusicFestNews, audiences want music that will jolt them with creativity — and that’s not something a mere pop culture byproduct can easily achieve.