By: Thomas Horvath

Television is known for its vast variety of programming, with each show being different from the other. Still, each show usually fits into a category or genre. Genres are basic adjectives used to group series together based on the qualities of the show. This can include action, drama, horror, or romance to name a few. But which categories are most popular? Does one rein above all, or are genres more even in request and popularity?

A study in 2021 showed that drama was the most in-demand genre of television. This would make sense, as shows such as Grey’s Anatomy and 13 Reasons Why are two of the most-watched shows of all time, according to IMDb. The most critically acclaimed show ever is also a drama, that being Breaking Bad. In second place was comedy, with shows like Friends, The Office, and Seinfeld being some of the most watched shows on Netflix, it’s clear that comedy is very popular as well.

But why these genres? A reason for this could be that drama is one of the most engaging genres, with the audience constantly having to be engaged with the show, causing the viewers to get invested and keep watching. There is also an adrenaline rush viewers get from watching suspenseful series and movies. Comedy is almost the complete opposite reason, with a lot of people wanting to just sit back and relax while watching television, with comedy being the perfect genre for that. Still, drama is almost twice as popular as comedy is, and with the most popular shows of recent memory being shows such as Squid Game, Stranger Things, and the countless serial killer series, it seems like darker, more mature television will be the new mainstream, dominating over other genres of television.