New year, new seasons!Reality televisionhas become the guilty pleasure genre thattelevisionviewers simply cannot get enough of. Whether it’s watching an intense survival competition or the lavish lives of individuals living out their dreams, reality television serves as escapism. It’s also our way into the world of entertainment because, real or not,reality television is about us real people.
2025 is coming in hot with an abundance of new seasons of our favorite shows, brand-new properties eager to earn fans, and reboots of classic series with a fresh lens. With so many upcoming series still yet to announce their return,here are ten of the most anticipated reality shows of 2025that we know are going to grab those headlines.
10’Small Town Setup’
Hallmark+ already gave us a Christmas gift with theirfirst reality series,Finding Mr. Christmas. Now, they’re back with another sickly sweet series calledSmall Town Setup. Imagine a Hallmark movie turned into a reality show, and that’s what you’ll get. An unsuspecting city-dwelling single returns to visit their parents in their small town only to find out they have set them up with three potential dates.
Will they find love in a small town place? Dating in the city can be hard, so maybe movie magic dating is all it takes! Hosted byAshley Williams, this adorable matchmaking series brings youthe allure of a dating show with the charm of Hallmark.As the tagline says, it’s a romantic adventure with “heart, hope, and a hefty dose of small-town magic.” With each episode following a different subject, Hallmark+ dropped all six episodes of its first season on January 2nd. And yes, it is like a Hallmark movie, but real.
9’Hollywood Squares’
Season 1- Reboot
Will circle get the square? The beloved game showHollywood Squaresis returning to CBS as players engage in a game of tic-tac-toe as celebrities answer quiz questions while tossing out a dose of comedy. Hosted byCBS Morningsco-anchorNate Burleson, the new reboot will featureDrew Barrymoreasthe iconic center square.
Joining in on the fun is a celebrity lineup includingTyra Banks,Julie Bowen,Yvette Nicole Brown,Whitney Cummings, Akbar Gbajabiamila,Tiffany Haddish,Oliver Hudson, Pete Holmes,Gabriel Iglesias, Jo Koy,Jay Leno,Justin Long,Kevin Nealon,RuPaul,Andrew Rannells,Kristen Schaal, Sheryl Underwood, Jimmy O. Yang, andTriumph the Insult Comic Dog, with many more names to come. The new primetime series will joinThe Price is Right at NightandRaid the Cagefor CBS Game Night. If the lineup of celebrities playing isn’t a reason to tune in, I don’t know what is!
8’American Idol'
After 23 seasons, one might ask why another season ofAmerican Idolwould be a highly anticipated reality show of the year.The answer is simple: Carrie Underwood.After the departure ofKaty Perryfrom the judging panel, theAmerican Idolwinner is taking her spot and bringing along her experience as a contestant to the competition.
Having an incredible career in the country music scene,Carrie Underwood is destined to bring a wealth of knowledge to theAmerican Idolhopefuls.She’ll be joining returning judgesLionel RichieandLuke Bryan,with Ryan Seacrest as host. 20 years after Carrie Underwood’s Season 4 win, this season ofAmerican Idolis destined to be a celebration.
American Idol
7’The Joe Schmo Show'
Back in the heyday of reality television came a parody of reality television calledThe Joe Schmo Show. One unsuspecting individual is thrust into a game he believes is all real. But it’s all a hoax. The people he’s “playing” against are all improv actors. With three seasons during its original run,The Joe Schmo Showplayed upon the tropes that have made the genre thrive.Now, TBS has opted to bring the series back where Ben, an electrician from Baltimore, thinks he’s competing for a chance to win $1,00,000.
The modern revival of the show-within-a-show will be hosted byCat Deeley, which will truly help to hammer home the idea that the illusion could all be real. Created byPaul WernickandRhett Reese, the brilliant minds behindDeadpool, the new reboot ofThe Joe Schmo Showis destined to bring the funny to the screen once again.Perhaps this version will launch the comedy careerof one of the improv players like it did withKristen Wiigback in Season 1.
The Joe Schmo Show
6’Extreme Makeover: Home Edition’
It’s time to “move that bus!” Originally a spin-off of the physical makeover show,Extreme Makeover: Home Editionhas always beenthat feel-good series of hope and making dreams come true. As the second official revival of the series,Extreme Makeover: Home Editionis making its triumphant return to ABC.
Hosted byClea ShearerandJoanna Teplin, the brilliant minds of the home organization company The Home Edit, the new series is bringing the heart back to reality television. Joining them on their home renovation adventures areArianne BellizaireandSurvivorwinnerWendell Holland as the designers. The reimagined series is heartwarming as ever.
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
5’The Real Housewives of Atlanta'
The Real Housewives of Atlantahas been the source of some of Bravo’s most infamous moments. We haven’t even seen a single moment from its upcoming sixteenth season, but we already know it’s bound to be iconic. The drama that has come out has already made this season appointment television. Prior to the start of filming, it hadbeen revealed that Kandi Burrusswould be leaving her post as one of the longest-tenured castmembers.
Additionally,Marlo HamptonandSanya Richards-Rossannounced they would no longer be appearing as a peach holder. Their departures opened the door forthe return of Porsha Williams. But chaos ensued when reports came out thatKenya Moore was forced to cease filmingdue toallegations of distributing sexually explicit material ofnew castmember,Brittany Eady. With Moore gone,Phaedra Parks, the reality star of 2024, was announced to return as a peach holder.If Andy Cohen is excited, so are we! With so much drama out there, we can’t wait to see how this will turn out.
The Real Housewives of Atlanta
4’Below Deck Down Under'
It’s been almost two years since we last took to the stunning seas of Australia to experience life on a luxury yacht with the crew ofBelow Deck Down Under. After a tumultuous second season surrounding sexual misconduct,Below Deck Down Underfans have been waiting with bated breathto see Captain Jason Chambers again. During Bravo Fan Fest,Andy Cohen teased the upcoming season with a clipof a salacious Captain Jason Chambers in a silk robe preparing himself for the charter guests.
Fans were also able to see a glimpse ofChef Tzarina Mace-Ralphand deckhandHarry Van Vliet’s return. Noticeably missingwas Chief Stew Aesha Scott, who most recently returned to her original stomping grounds,Below Deck Mediterranean. The potential of Captain Jason and Aesha being separated is heartbreaking, butfans are more than ready to see a new season of Australian adventures.
Below Deck Down Under
3’With Love, Meghan'
As one of the most famous names in the world,Meghan Markle is heading to Netflixfor a brandnew series,With Love, Meghan. The series, hosted by the Duchess of Sussex, sets out toreimagine lifestyle programming through inspiration and candid conversationswith friends old and new. Meghan shares personal tips and tricks, embracing playfulness over perfection, and highlights how easy it can be to create beauty, even in the unexpected.
Don’t expect any drama. Expect a feel-good series. And an appearance byPrince Harry. The series is highly anticipated simply for the fact that it’s Meghan Markle’s new vanity project. The key will be to see if they’ll stay and watch.
2’The Flip Off'
Unless you’ve been living under a rock,The Flip Offis possibly HGTV’s most anticipatednew series in years. When first revealed last year, fans were eager to see the light-hearted flipping battle royalebetween exes Christina HaackandTarek El Moussa, who were slatedto be joined by their spouses. OnlyJosh Hall filed for divorcein the middle of filming, putting the entire show at risk. With a private matter being played out in a public forum, fans are eager to see how the separation plays into the new series.
After the teaser revealed that Josh Hall will still appear in some capacity in the program, it gave viewers something to speak about prior to the launch of the series. When the show does air,the premise is simple: Tarek versus Christina.The Flip Offis destined to giveFlip or Flopfans everything they could have possibly dreamed of. And if the social media blitz the cast did during filming is any indication, we’re in for a referential wild ride.
The Flip Off
1’The Traitors'
It’s the game every civilian dreams of playing but can only be played by reality stars. Well, here in America at least. After shocking many upon winning the Emmy Award for Outstanding Reality Competition Program, as well as for Outstanding Host For A Reality Or Reality Competition Program forAlan Cumming, the new season ofThe Traitorsboasts a cast of reality television legends that is perhaps the best yet.
Including a handful ofReal Housewives,Big Brotherrivals, andSurvivorwinners,with Tom Sandoval thrown in,The Traitorsis gearing up to dominate the winter reality season as viewers are eager to learn who is a faithful and who is a traitor. Thanks to a season of memes, the stakes are astronomically high for Season 3.Get ready for twists, turns, and, of course, Highland fashion.
The Traitors (US)
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