TV networks are reportedly reevaluating their “harsh” social media restrictions for reality stars following complaints that they put a damper on their post-show career prospects.
ICYMI: many reality TV contestants — mainly those appearing on Married at First Sight and the likes — are required to hand over their social media accounts to producers while the show airs.
“More than 70 per cent of current shows require that you hand over your passwords before, during and after the shows are screened,” an industry insider recently dished to Yahoo! Lifestyle.
As such, when fans message their fave stars online, “their messages are being viewed by a third party”. Yikes.
However, this protocol has copped complaints en masse from the most recent group of reality stars.
Specifically, their inability to access their personal social media accounts prevents them from taking up brand deals that might find their way to their DMs.
TV networks are ‘workshopping’ social media rules
According to Yahoo! Lifestyle‘s source, several networks are “workshopping new strategies” to help reality stars’ careers.
“A few networks are coming up with some new plans that might loosen their grip on their talent,” they dished.
“It was only time before those harsh restrictions were evaluated.”
Several ex-reality TV participants expressed their frustrations to the outlet, with one MAFS star saying they “would’ve never signed up to the series” had they known how strict the contracts were.
Meanwhile, a former The Block contestant said: “It has been a nightmare, and the access you give to a complete stranger feels like a massive invasion of privacy.”
A Farmer Wants a Wife 2024 participant added that once they got their Instagram back, it was “too late” to pursue any influencer opportunities.
“I had so many messages about collaborations/sponsorships in my inbox when I was allowed access to my Instagram… But by the time I was in the driver’s seat, those opportunities had dried up,” they revealed.
Married at First Sight star shares ‘loopholes’ to keeping social media active while the show airs
One cheeky MAFS bride confessed to the outlet that there are a “few loopholes” to bypass networks’ social media bans.
“Make sure you put it in your contract early that your social media is considered your business, and that will throw a few spanners in the works,” they explained.
“Most participants with over 50k followers are eligible for so many paid opportunities, but those numbers are not achievable if you’re not active during the show’s peak popularity.”
Simples!
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