Idol survival shows were some of the most popular shows for several reasons.
Firstly, the variety of beautiful contestants on the show allowed viewers to pick the one that matched their tastes, and as the show progressed, the viewers got to enjoy the thrill of watching their pick grow in skill and display their talent, episode by episode.
Secondly, the viewers also got the satisfaction of "discovering" and investing in a gem before it reached mainstream popularity. That sense of superiority, as well as the rush of power when their votes(money) made a difference in which contestants stayed and achieved their dreams or went home, was a thrill most people could not replicate in their day-to-day lives.
And thirdly? At the end of the day, it was entertainment for the viewers. While viewers loved to curse the producers for scheming and evilly editing their favorite contestants, at the end of the day, they tuned in to watch with unmatched frenetic fervor.
