Take a moment, think about the biggest and best shows of 2018. Sure, biggest and best don’t necessarily equal the same thing. With many of the best series being on cable channels that everyday folk might not watch, and the biggest shows being things like “Big Bang Theory,” “This is Us,” and “NCIS.” But yet, what if we said that one of the biggest shows of 2018 is “Live PD?” You’d probably fear for the future of our society. Well, you may want to start thinking happy thoughts.
According to a new survey from Inscape (via Deadline), the most watched TV series from DVR, On Demand, and OTT platforms is none other than the live, reality TV police series that shows the lovely folks of these United States getting arrested and acting like complete a-holes on national TV. For those that don’t watch, yes, it’s basically “Cops” but live. And yes, a lot of it takes place in Florida.
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So, in 2018, in a survey that is more broad and deep than the Nielsen Ratings (Inscape surveyed 9 million people), we are left with the reality that “Live PD” is the series that the most people turn to when they don’t want to watch something that is currently airing live. Get home after a long night out? “Live PD” is there. Trying to escape the doldrums of your everyday life? “Live PD” is the warm, cozy blanket that makes you feel okay. Feeling like your life is spiraling out of control and you just need something to make you feel better about your own circumstances at the expense of those less fortunate? Fire up the ol’ DVR and turn on some “Live PD.” Ugh.
Other series that did well in the survey are less shocking. “This is Us” comes in at #2 on OTT platforms (those include the specific network apps) and #4 on both DVR and On Demand. “The Walking Dead” also shows up high on all those lists, as well.
READ MORE: The Best TV Shows Of 2018
But there’s still yet another sign of the apocalypse – “Jersey Shore: Family Vacation.” Yes, it’s 2018 and ‘Jersey Shore’ is still a massive hit, finishing #5 on both OTT and DVR and #6 on On Demand.
As we are only days away from the new year, let’s make a concerted effort to turn on something a wee bit better than “Live PD” and ‘Jersey Shore,’ okay? Thanks!