Love is blurb: Reality TVs as local tourism marketing intermediaries

Putri Surya Cempaka ORCID
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55942/pssj.v5i6.421
438 views 0 cited
📄 Published: 30 Jun 2025

Abstract

Reality TV programs attract viewers from various backgrounds and age groups. Several previous studies have stated that reality TV shows can change viewers’ lifestyles. In addition, reality TV shows can provide a platform for the existence and branding of public figures. Reality TV programs can be subjectively evaluated and can have both positive and negative effects. However, to objectively assess the existence of reality TV programs, it is necessary to examine whether reality TV shows can be beneficial for the audience or the economic condition of a country. The proliferation of reality TV programs on Netflix's Video on Demand services, such as Love is Blind, The Ultimatum, and Single’s Inferno, indicates that success is generated from the production of these programs. One hypothesis is that the format of reality TV programs emphasizes certain tourist destinations. Thus, reality TV programs can be utilized as mediums or intermediaries for promoting and marketing tourism in specific regions or countries.

Keywords: marketing intermediaries Netflix reality tv tourism

References

Akmalia, N., Yurmama, T., Widiargo, A. E., Rahmayanti, H. D., & Cempaka, P. S. (2024). Identifikasi storynomics tourism pada produksi film animasi Barley “Manusia Ikan” dan resepsi penonton (eksperimen strategi komunikasi pariwisata destinasi super prioritas) [Identification of tourism storynomics in the production of Barley's animated film “Fish Man” and audience reception (a tourism communication strategy experiment of super priority destinations)]. MEDIASI: Jurnal Kajian dan Terapan Media, Bahasa, Komunikasi, 5(2), 188–199. https://doi.org/10.46961/mediasi.v5i2.1287

Azman, I. S., Kamarudin, L. M., Mohd Ali, F. bin, & Adzmi, A. M. (2024). Visual rhetoric and media representation: Crafting inclusive narratives in culturally sensitive environments. SEARCH Journal of Media and Communication Research, 16(3), 63–78. https://doi.org/10.58946/search-16.3

Botella, N., & Mirassou, D. (2024, August). Netflix launches Netflix fund for creative equity in Mexico. Social Impact. https://about.netflix.com/en/news/fondo-netflix-equidad-creativa-mexico

Cempaka, P. S., & Srimayasandy, S. (2024). Implementation of incubation class and exhibition as marketing strategies for students’ television program projects. In Jakarta International Conference on Multidisciplinary Studies towards Creative Industries (pp. 462–468). https://doi.org/10.18502/keg.v6i1.15418

Crimmins, T. (2020, February). ‘Love Is Blind’ is the bizarre reality TV experiment you’ve been craving. Mashable. https://mashable.com/article/love-is-blind-review

Klein, B., & Coleman, S. (2022). Look at me, I’m on TV: The political dimensions of reality television participation. Media, Culture & Society, 44(3), 497–513. https://doi.org/10.1177/01634437211036979

Malpica, J. N., Esqueda-Walle, R., Blanco, L. R., & Rivas, L. A. M. (n.d.). Film commission model as a strategy for economic development in the Tampico-Mexico metropolitan area. Russian Law Journal.

Mayagita, A. (2021). The role of TV reality show in contributing to changes in people’s behaviour: A phenomenological approach. Technium Social Sciences Journal, 24, 208–217. http://www.techniumscience.com/

MBN. (2021, January). Netflix to invest US$300 million in Mexico in 2021. Mexico Business News. https://mexicobusiness.news/tech/news/netflix-invest-us300-million-mexico-2021

Mege, S. R., & Aruan, D. T. H. (2017). The impact of destination exposure in reality shows on destination image, familiarity, and travel invention. ASEAN Marketing Journal, 9(2), 115–122. https://doi.org/10.21002/amj.v9i2.9248

Olson, D. M., & Waguespack, D. M. (2020). Strategic behavior by market intermediaries. Strategic Management Journal, 41(13), 2474–2492. https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.3220

Rhee, J. W., Cho, H. J., Song, H. J., & Jung, J. H. (2011). South Korean media system: Toward a democratization model.*Korean Social Sciences Review, 1(1), 303–337. https://hdl.handle.net/10371/75204

Sirilakshmi, Y., et al. (2024). Content analysis in qualitative research: Importance and application. In Exploring Narratives: A Guide to Qualitative Research Methods (pp. 82–97).

Skinner, H., Williams-Burnett, N., & Fallon, J. (2022). Exploring reality television and social media as mediating factors between destination identity and destination image. International Journal of Tourism Research, 24(2), 270–281. https://doi.org/10.1002/jtr.2499

Smith, S. (2024, March). The rise of reality television. Platform Magazine: Public Relations Out Loud. https://platformmagazine.org/2024/03/27/the-rise-of-reality-television/

Speiser, E. (2019, September). Cenote Hubiku. Atlas Obscura. https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/cenote-hubiku

Susanti, S., Suryana, A., & Nugraha, I. G. W. A. (2020). Manajemen program reality competition show di televisi. Jurnal Common, 4(1), 92–107. https://doi.org/10.34010/common.v4i1.3280

Tsay-Vogel, M., & Krakowiak, K. M. (2015). Exploring viewers’ responses to nine reality TV subgenres. Psychology of Popular Media, 4(4), 360–370. https://doi.org/10.1037/ppm0000103

Umoren, P. E., & Udonquak, A. A. (2022). Reality television shows popularity and audience interest: Focus on Big Brother 2021. Journal of Communication Studies, 5, 164–174. https://journals.sau.edu.ng/index.php/sjmas