Dating shows are a steady source of income for Netflix. They’re a subgenre of reality, and reality costs a lot less than screenplays. But a new phenomenon has appeared in people’s algorithms – the matchmaking show. There are currently two shows at the top of the Netflix charts, potentially heralding a new wave of water cooler conversation.

Dating shows and other love-focused programs have proven they can stand the test of time, which may play a big part in Netflix’s current obsession with the subgenre.

The State of Dating on the Small Screen

For decades, people have watched dating shows of all shapes and sizes. Is it the original? The dating game or the more current The bachelorwe love to watch people find love…or melt and burn up in the process.

The latest Netflix to gain momentum was love is blind, in which the participants meet without seeing each other, agree on an engagement and only see each other again after the decision has been made. After that, it’s a simple, drawn-out life situation, and the big revelation is whether one will leave the other at the altar.

Top notch viewing.

love is blind was on has seen plenty of heroes and train wrecks over four seasons and has earned its place alongside fan favorites The Bachelorette. It also shows no sign of stopping, although Netflix continues to prove they have no problem vandalizing popular script programs.

start a phenomenon

If Indian matchmaking When it took over the streaming world, it shot to the top of the algorithm and caused quite a stir. People started talking about the whole concept of matchmaking, how Indian culture is represented globally, and the benefits of having someone take on what dating apps couldn’t do.

Then they started talking about Aparna. The American was so picky and sensitive that audiences immediately watched as her move failed during a series of extremely awkward dates. The question (which lingered into season two) was whether top matchmaker Sima Taparia would side with the audience and annoyingly concede defeat.

But there were many likeable characters also (not always the best for a modern dating show) that audiences fell in love with. Vyasar was someone that people were excited for because he was the perfect partner that viewers just wanted to hug tightly. And that was the beauty of the show. It was relatable and people wanted to see how this seemingly outdated practice would carry over to the modern world.

Matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a partner

producers of Indian matchmaking realized they had a compelling concept that people hadn’t seen before. They soon found Aleeza Ben Shalom and realized there was a market for the same concept in Jewish culture.

Jewish matchmaking premiered on May 3rd. It was an instant hit with the same groups that were watching Indian matchmaking. In fact, due to the success of the original program, this new series saw even greater adoption.

In this series we have seen many of the same tropes, including the handsome thirty-something who has mother issues and wants a supermodel-level beauty to take his place. His name is Ori and he’s a pretty boring guy. But that makes for a great matchmaking view.

The show is designed similar to Indian matchmaking. The difference is that in this case, Aleeza Ben Shalom splits her time between the US and Israel. Families still want their children to find a mate, some a little more than their children do. But everyone is ready to chat and meet potential opponents.

The question is always whether the practice is outdated, how much it feels like it really isn’t, and whether people outside of both cultures will abandon Tinder in favor of their own Sima aunt.

Will this trend continue?

The truth is that many cultures still favor matchmaking and there is plenty of room for an expanded Netflix matchmaking universe. This NMU could take over the algorithm, although it’s not yet displacing the more traditional shows.

Netflix is ​​currently the leader in streaming when it comes to dating and reality shows. Just check out the selection of very similar shows: Love is blind, too hot to touch, perfect match, single’s inferno, love islandAnd Married at first sight. There are dozens more, and some contestants even hop from one show to another.

And that’s a big difference. Indian matchmaking And Jewish matchmaking have no dating show emotion. These are not candidates. These are beacons of hope. These are more likeable people than would-be Instagram fans. They really seem to want a connection.

The matchmaking shows are tame in comparison The bachelor, where twenty women are openly spiteful of one another and spend their days drinking and crying. Matchmaking stars are real people filmed in a unique situation. It’s more like actual reality TV than clever cuts and rose fields.

With audiences constantly demanding content that’s different from what they love, this trend could be an intriguing experiment in changing tastes. Secure, Bachelors in paradise offers toned bodies, broken personalities and sexual tension, but Indian Matchmaking offers face readings, horoscopes and much more parental side glances.

It’s up to viewers to decide what they prefer, whether the two universes can coexist, and whether this new NMU can be extended to other cultures. Indian matchmaking And Jewish matchmaking both stream on Netflix.