Procedural dramas, a staple TV format known for its self-contained storylines and recurring crime-solving characters, have seen growing popularity recently. These shows, which air new episodes every week without dependence on prior plots, are attracting stable audiences across cable, network television and streaming services.
According to industry experts, several factors are driving this trend. Viewers seeking an escape from real-world turmoil are drawn to the predictable nature of procedurals. Additionally, producers find the shows inexpensive to produce while still pulling in consistent viewer numbers. “Procedurals provide a building block for both linear and streaming platforms,” explained Brandon Katz of Parrot Analytics. “They bring in viewers reliably and can be reused extensively.”
Established procedural franchises like NCIS, Death in Paradise and SEAL Team have widened their reach. Meanwhile, streaming platforms are finding new life for older shows in this genre. Popular acquired shows like Grey’s Anatomy keep audiences on Netflix. The service is now making original procedurals, such as the medical drama Pulse. Similarly, Max will produce a police drama based on an ex-FBI agent’s experiences.
As subscriber growth slows, platforms want to engage and retain viewers longer. According to Katz, procedural viewers highly “affinity,” or loyalty, means they will seek similar shows —keeping them engaged on one service.
While limited series boomed, procedurals may prove steadier in less stable times. Katz noted “Recurring engagement and interest are valued now over launching all-new ideas.” Hit miniseries could therefore expand into longer runs.
The message for networks and streaming services remains: As long as there are crimes to solve or emergencies to handle, audiences will reliably tune in week after week for their procedural drama fix. Even as TV continues to evolve rapidly, the tried-and-true procedural format endures as a classic way to attract and maintain devoted viewers.