November 5th 2024.
It's hard to believe that The Only Way Is Essex has been entertaining us for 14 whole years now. Can you believe it? Recently, the show aired its 34th season finale, and fans are already wondering how much longer it will stay on TV. The ratings have been a bit unpredictable, to say the least. But let's take a trip down memory lane and see how it all began.
Back in 2010, when the show first hit our screens, no one could have predicted just how popular it would become. The unscripted format, where real people were put into set-up situations, was a whole new concept and viewers were hooked. We were introduced to the likes of Amy Childs, Lauren Goodger, Mark Wright, Lydia Bright, and James Argent, and we couldn't get enough of their drama-filled lives. Plus, let's not forget about the new words they brought into our vocabulary, like "reem," "vajazzle," and "salty potato."
The show's success also made its stars millionaires, as fans eagerly bought their endorsed beauty products, clothing ranges, and anything else they put their name to. People even traveled from all over the county just to meet these "ordinary" celebrities. And who can forget when they won a Bafta? It was a proud moment for all of us who followed their journey.
At its peak in 2011, the show was pulling in 1.7 million viewers. However, as the latest season came to an end on Sunday night, only 48,000 people tuned in. That's quite a drop in numbers. Not even a love triangle between Amy's cousin Harry Debridge, his ex-partner Joe Blackman, and friend-turned-enemy Junaid Ahmed could bring back the glory days.
But it wasn't always like this. In the earlier seasons, the show had much higher ratings. According to the Daily Mail, the latest season's numbers have been disappointing. However, the show has already been confirmed for a Christmas special, and there are even talks of a 2025 series. So it looks like it's not going anywhere just yet.
The topic of ratings has sparked a lot of conversation, especially when compared to other reality shows like Big Brother. When a fan account celebrated the latest figures for Big Brother, while also mentioning Towie, people started to wonder how the show can continue with such low numbers. But it's important to note that ITV has not announced any plans to cancel Big Brother, so there's no need to worry.
One factor that could be affecting the ratings is the change in our viewing habits. More and more people are turning to streaming services instead of watching live TV. So while the live numbers may be low, the show has a much higher viewership on ITVX, with a total of 8.5 million streams so far. Plus, the show's Instagram account has a solid following of 628k and high engagement on their posts, including online exclusives.
Another reason why the show may continue is its long-standing history with ITV. After 14 years, Towie has become synonymous with the network, and they may be hesitant to let go of such a successful and iconic show. Plus, reality shows are often cheaper to produce than scripted dramas, making them a more attractive option for broadcasters.
Not to mention, the show has also become a launching pad for its stars. Many have gone on to appear on other ITV shows, and even beyond. Dan Edgar, for example, will be competing on the upcoming season of Dancing On Ice, and Love Island has also featured former Towie stars like Joey Essex.
So while the ratings may be a bit of a concern, it seems like the only way is up for Towie. And who knows, we may be seeing a Series 35 in the near future. We reached out to ITV for comment, so stay tuned for any updates. In the meantime, you can catch up on all the drama on ITVX. And if you have any juicy stories about your favorite Towie stars, don't hesitate to reach out to our entertainment team by emailing us, calling us, or visiting our Submit Stuff page. We're always looking for new stories to share.
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