2024 has seen streaming numbers increase to a mind-boggling extent as 1.8 billion people are globally subscribed to such a service. Set to reach US dollar 2.49T by 2032, this market shows no signs of slowing down, let alone stopping.

There’s a fact here: streaming services are now considered the norm when it comes to consuming content. This is due to various reasons but the major one is the shift in customer choices. The comfort and feasibility that comes with choosing a streaming platform, allowing viewers to access virtually any content under the surface of the sun, is unparalleled.

Notice that around the time a new TV show is announced, official pages are set up for it on social media sites. This is done by the marketing crew to attract followers, leading to engagement and promotion. Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok, all play an essential part in boosting viewer counts and connecting with audiences.

For instance, prior to releasing a new show, the official pages of Netflix often promote teasers, art, and BTS glimpses of what’s to come, effectively creating hype. Here’s a study on a few popular TV show pages and the methods they use to market their product.

Best TV Shows Not Always Have the Best Presence in Social Media

While social media is the pivotal tool through which much of the marketing is done, not all series maintain such an online presence. Some of the best shows continue to attract viewers because of their content and storytelling process.

For instance, “Slow Horses”, a thriller series by Apple TV+ comes to mind. The show has no official social media pages at all across Instagram, Facebook, and other websites. Only the trailer for new season releases is shared on the official Apple TV+ Instagram. However, the show has received top ratings on IMDB from critics and viewers alike, standing at 8.2/10.

Without a doubt, the catalog of the best TV shows of 2024 wouldn’t be complete without “Baby Reindeer”, a popular series globally on TV screens, but not on social media. We looked at the Instagram page, which has a low follower count compared to other major series at only 3,798. Despite this, the show has managed to grab the audience’s attention and is rated 98% on the Tomatometer.

Such series get marketed by word-of-mouth recommendations rather than social media. The success they achieve is due to the quality and at times, niche content they offer.

The Simpsons: Leveraging Humor and Pop Culture

The long-standing presence of The Simpsons has not just been displayed across television but also garnered a following on social media. The animated series has made use of unique humor and references to pop culture and currently, its Facebook page stands at 56 million followers while on Instagram it has 1.8 million.

Taking a closer look at their marketing strategy, which is an example of well-thought digital branding, it’s evident that The Simpsons knows its viewers well. A mix of content is posted on their pages, ranging from episode clips, behind-the-scenes footage, and especially memes. Their frequency of posting varies, but generally, you can expect a post or reel to be shared every couple of days.

The Simpson’s marketing team has also made effective use of hashtags for promotion. When FXX decided to do a run of all Simpson episodes, #everysimpsonsever blew up. This altered watchers of the marathon that was about to come.

Stranger Things: Creating a Digital World of Mystery and 80s Nostalgia

This show is powered by supernatural mystery and nostalgic references to the 1980s which has made it popular on Netflix and social media sites. The marketing team makes sure to post relevant content to continue to engage with fans even during the off-season period. These include bloopers, references to past episodes, and wishing the actors on their birthdays.

But it’s the time when a new season is about to launch when things heat up. You can expect advertising on Instagram on a daily basis highlighting characters and teasing the upcoming plot, and past episodes.

The official Stranger Things Instagram page boasts nearly 20 million followers while the Facebook page has 8.5 million likes.

The Walking Dead: Mastering Marketing in a Post-Apocalyptic Landscape

Remember in 2013 when “The Walking Dead” reinvented TV marketing and turned the show into a social activity? They leveraged Twitter to get people to join in on the fun by using hashtags such as #TheWalkingDeadin5, which not only got to the top of the trending list but also produced 1.2 million tweets during the Season 4 premiere. This approach secured a large number of proactive followers.

With over 40 million followers across the big three social media platforms, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, the series continues making it big. Their marketing gimmicks involve BTS scenes, exclusive interviews, and fan interactions so a high level of audience engagement is maintained.

“The Walking Dead” creates a dynamic hashtag strategy, fun interactive posts, and multimedia content that keeps the show alive online and connects with their fandom, thus, making them stay ahead of the competition in the streaming industry.

Conclusion

This deep dive into popular TV show pages across social media gives us an insight into how marketing functions in the digital age. This information can be valuable for those looking to further their own pages.

As new TV shows get released and trends in consumer preference evolve, we’re sure the marketing will adequately be adapted accordingly.