Reports and Insights

Netflix vs. Prime Video: The Battle of Reality Formats (2024–2025)

Unscripted Reality Formats
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Netflix vs. Prime Video: The Battle of Reality Formats

How Netflix and Prime Video Are Playing the Unscripted Game

From dating dramas to global game shows, unscripted content has evolved into a major strategic lever for streaming platforms. As of 2024 and 2025, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video are investing heavily in reality formats, but their choices reveal very different content priorities. Vitrina’s analysis uncovers how each is shaping its unscripted content slate—and why it matters.

Strategic Split of Unscripted: Formats vs. Documentaries

Based on titles released and in production/post:

  • Netflix: 60% of unscripted content is documentary; 40% are formats.
  • Prime Video: 60% are formats, while 40% are documentary.

This divergence reflects differences in format design, content appeal, and platform strategy.

Unscripted Break Up

Netflix's Unscripted Reality Format Slate: Global Drama, Personality, Prestige

Netflix’s reality format subgenres below are ranked by project count (2024–2025 originals). English-language formats dominate, followed by Korean-origin shows.

Top Subgenres (by projects):

  1. Dating & RelationshipToo Hot to Handle, Love Is Blind
  2. Game ShowsThe Trust, Outlast, Is It Cake?, The Circle
  3. Luxury LifestyleSelling Sunset, Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives
  4. Talent/MusicRhythm + Flow, A-List to Playlist
  5. Adventure & PhysicalPhysical: 100, Rugged Rugby
  6. Makeover / TransformationQueer Eye, Tyler Henry
  7. Cooking & FoodCulinary Class Wars, Blue Ribbon Baking Championship
  8. Auction & CollectiblesKing of Collectibles, The Golden Touch
Netflix Reality Shows Sub Genre Type

🛠️ Prime Video’s Reality Engine: Formats at Scale

Prime Video’s reality formats are also ranked by project count (2024–2025). Most are in English, with Italian, Spanish, Dutch, and German as key non-English contributors.

Top Subgenres (by projects):

  1. Game ShowsPop Culture Jeopardy!, The GOAT, Celebrity Hunted
  2. Luxury LifestyleReal Housewives (multi-region), Luxe Listings Toronto
  3. Comedy ChallengeLOL: Last One Laughing (multi-territory)
  4. Adventure & PhysicalSurvivor, Gladiators, The Grand Tour
  5. Dating & RelationshipFBoy Island, Love Transit, Drag Den
  6. Cooking & FoodJinny’s Kitchen, Killer Cakes, Celebrity Bake Off España
  7. Auction & Business ShowsShark Tank, Dream Deals, 60 Day Hustle
  8. Courtroom RealityJudy Justice, Tribunal Justice, On Patrol: Live
  9. Talent/MusicThe Voice, POPSTARS
Prime Video Reality Shows Sub Genre

🧮 Reality Format Comparison Table

Subgenre Netflix Highlights Prime Video Highlights
Dating Love Is Blind, Too Hot to Handle FBoy Island, Love Transit
Game Shows The Circle, Is It Cake?, The Trust The GOAT, Pop Culture Jeopardy!, Celebrity Hunted
Comedy Challenges LOL: Last One Laughing (multi-market)
Adventure Physical: 100, Conquer or Die Survivor, Gladiators, The Grand Tour
Cooking Culinary Class Wars Jinny’s Kitchen, Killer Cakes
Luxury Lifestyle Selling Sunset, Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives Real Housewives, Luxe Listings Toronto
Auction & Collectibles King of Collectibles Shark Tank, Dream Deals
Talent/Music Rhythm + Flow The Voice, POPSTARS
Courtroom Reality Judy Justice, On Patrol: Live

Closing Insight: Format Choices Reflect Platform Identities

While both Netflix and Prime Video see unscripted as a growth engine, their priorities diverge—and so do the top-performing genres that define each platform’s reality slate.

  • For Netflix, dating formats reign supreme, resonating strongly with subscribers looking for emotional engagement, drama, and bingeable experiences. Titles like Love Is Blind and Too Hot to Handle continue to perform exceptionally well across regions, making dating Netflix’s most dominant unscripted genre.
  • In contrast, Prime Video does not lead with dating content. Instead, it finds greater traction with Game Shows and Luxury Lifestyle formats—genres that offer personality, pace, and aspirational flair. Shows like The GOAT, Pop Culture Jeopardy!, and The Real Housewives franchises are central to Prime’s reality mix.
  • Notably, Comedy Challenges, especially LOL: Last One Laughing across multiple markets, are a key pillar for Prime Video—yet this format category is absent from Netflix’s current unscripted portfolio. This signals Prime’s effort to appeal to mainstream, family-friendly entertainment preferences, especially in Europe and Latin America.

Ultimately, both platforms are responding to what works best for their respective audiences:

  • Netflix taps into relationship drama and emotional journeys.
  • Prime Video builds on interactive, competitive, and personality-driven formats.

Expect these directions to deepen further as platforms sharpen their unscripted identities to retain and grow their global subscriber base.