To navigate the complex global TV landscape, it is useful to adopt a Three-Circle Strategy —a simplification designed to better understand the industry’s profound transformation. This model suggests that traditional broadcasters must tailor their programming to - at least - three distinct audience segments to remain competitive.
The first circle focuses on “Content for Boomers”—viewers who grew up with linear television and remain deeply attached to traditional viewing habits. This demographic drives trends such as Nostalgia Shows (see our 10+1 Global Format Trends 2025 free report) and, of course, Reboots, which revive successful legacy formats after a long (or not-so-long) hiatus.
A prime example of this trend is Name That Tune, the iconic music game show. It premiered on the NBC Radio Network in 1952, moving to television on the same network in 1953 while continuing its radio run until 1954. In the UK, it originally aired on ITV from 1976 to 1987, followed by a brief two-season revival on Channel 5 in 1997 and 1998. After several other iterations—too many to summarize here—ITV has decided to revive the show once again, much to the delight of its fans. It’s also worth noting that the format has recently seen a successful high-profile revival in the US as well.
A staple of the ‘70s and ‘80s, the series pits contestants against each other to test their musical knowledge. Across several rounds, the show features hits from beloved artists of all genres, culminating in a high-stakes finale.
The second circle focuses on “Content for Millennials”—an audience that remains loyal to traditional TV (linear and major SVOD) but enjoys a broader media diet and has a keen interest in fresh concepts.
For this demographic, formats are often modern evolutions of classic shows, updated with a more dynamic and intriguing feel. Key trends in this space include Love Beyond Boundaries (see our last article) and Psycho Formats —shows with a psychological twist, such as unmasking traitors, identifying saboteurs, or discovering who holds the real power and money.
A prime example of this trend is Nobody’s Fool, a brand-new hybrid strategy-reality show again from ITV. Officially described as a “fiendish competition” with a “big twist,” the series follows 10 contestants living together in a ‘Smart House.’
The catch? Their fate isn’t decided by how intelligent they actually are, but by how smart their rivals perceive them to be. Players must compete in challenges to convince their peers of their brilliance, all while taking daily quizzes to build a collective prize pot.
To read about the third circle, go to Espresso
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Three-Circle TV
