The original post: /r/television by /u/latitude33 on 2026-02-08 07:57:17+00:00.
I am working on a research project looking at whether television can be used as a real force for good — not as a PSA (public service announcement), but by subtly shaping norms and decisions through entertainment.
I’ve been involved in an Australian renovation series called Renovate or Rebuild. While it looks like a typical reno show, it was intentionally designed using behavioural science to see if TV can influence how people think about their own homes and long-term choices.
The show has aired internationally (including Hulu and Disney+), and we’ve just started to release some of the first season on YouTube while starting a new phase of audience-impact research to understand how information from TV shows disseminates through different networks.
What’s surprised us most isn’t ratings, but viewer feedback — people saying the show genuinely changed how they think about renovating, energy efficiency, and what makes a “good” home.
So I’m curious:
- Can TV meaningfully influence real-world behaviour?
- Are there shows that changed how you think or act?
- Or does TV only really work as entertainment?
Genuinely interested in your take on TV’s power (or limits).