Television culinary programs, which used to be a mainstay of evening entertainment, are seeing a decline in viewership, and the cronut—an amalgamation of croissant and donut—provides an understanding of the reasons behind this trend.
In recent years, traditional TV cooking shows have seen a noticeable decline in ratings and cultural relevance. Programs that once drew millions of viewers, featuring celebrity chefs and elaborate culinary challenges, are now struggling to maintain engagement. This shift reflects broader changes in how audiences consume content, as well as evolving attitudes toward food, creativity, and convenience. The cronut phenomenon, which took the world by storm a decade ago, exemplifies how culinary trends and social media influence modern eating habits in ways that television alone can no longer capture. Cronuts represent more than a pastry; they illustrate how novelty, instant gratification, and shareable experiences have reshaped food culture, highlighting why traditional cooking shows are losing their luster.
The ascent and decline of television cooking shows
Culinary shows gained prominence as a popular genre during the 1990s and 2000s, merging entertainment with education and aspirational ways of living. Shows such as Iron Chef, Barefoot Contessa, and MasterChef captivated viewers with their thrilling competitions, intense challenges, and magnetic hosts. These programs not only inspired viewers but also provided guidance, motivating them to explore new cooking methods while enjoying the excitement of televised competitions.
Nevertheless, the style that previously assured audiences now seems old-fashioned. People now desire engagement, quickness, and connection—traits that conventional television finds difficult to offer. Lengthy episodes filled with scripted drama fail to captivate attention in a time where social media, bite-sized videos, and streaming services are prevailing. Today’s viewers favor outlets that let them interact with material at a pace they choose, comment, share, and even try out recipes instantly. The conventional, one-directional interaction of cooking shows on television can’t match the lively, interactive nature of digital media.
The television format often lacks the spontaneity and authenticity that contemporary audiences seek. Viewers are drawn to personalities and trends that feel approachable, interactive, and visually stimulating—qualities that social media influencers and viral culinary videos often provide more effectively than network television. As a result, cooking shows are increasingly seen as formulaic, predictable, and disconnected from the fast-evolving world of food culture.
Cronuts and the shift in culinary culture
The cronut’s rapid ascent highlights a crucial reason for the decreasing popularity of TV cooking programs: today’s culinary world is driven by novelty and the ability to quickly share experiences. Created by Dominique Ansel in New York City in 2013, the cronut merged the traits of a croissant with those of a donut, resulting in an eye-catching confection. Its popularity was propelled not only by flavor but also by its photogenic quality, scarce availability, and widespread social media attention. Queues at bakery doors and widely shared online images generated a sense of urgency and exclusivity that television programs, bound by scheduled airtimes and consistent formats, fail to emulate.
El fenómeno de los cronuts ilustra una tendencia más amplia en la manera en que las personas disfrutan de la comida. Los consumidores cada vez aprecian más la originalidad, el atractivo visual, y la capacidad de compartir experiencias culinarias en formato digital. Este énfasis en lo novedoso ha movido el interés de los contenidos tradicionales de cocina instructiva hacia formas dinámicas, breves e interactivas de entretenimiento culinario. Instagram, TikTok y YouTube ofrecen plataformas donde los espectadores pueden involucrarse directamente con las tendencias, probar recetas en casa y participar en desafíos, actividades que los programas de cocina convencionales no pueden satisfacer completamente.
Furthermore, the cronut craze underscores a change in the perception of food as a cultural encounter rather than simply nourishment or craftsmanship. People are attracted to dishes that narrate a story, provoke feelings, or stimulate discussions. Social media enhances this impact, transforming special release pastries into cultural events and shaping culinary trends worldwide. On the other hand, TV programs, with their fixed timings and managed production, find it challenging to achieve the spontaneity and viral appeal that today’s audiences desire.
Social media and the democratization of food content
The decline of TV cooking shows is closely tied to the rise of social media, where content is democratized and participation is encouraged. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram have transformed the way people discover, share, and engage with recipes. Short, visually engaging videos offer quick satisfaction and a sense of accessibility that traditional cooking shows rarely provide. Audiences no longer wait for a weekly episode—they can explore a continuous stream of trends, tutorials, and innovations at any time.
This transformation has also changed the position of the chef in mainstream culture. Previously seen as authoritative experts on television, today, social media influencers and home cooks wield considerable influence by forming community-based networks for culinary innovation. Instead of television ratings, the level of engagement through metrics like likes, shares, and comments now dictates popularity. The cronut, a viral hit, showcases this trend: its popularity flourished due to user-generated content, online feedback, and social media sharing rather than through conventional media advertising.
Moreover, the advent of online platforms fosters innovation and encourages boldness. In contrast to TV broadcasters that must follow rigid programming standards, social networks enable culinary artists to explore freely, quickly try out concepts, and rapidly adjust based on viewer reactions. This dynamic, engaging method has transformed the public’s view on food and entertainment, making it challenging for conventional cooking programs to remain pertinent.
Reevaluating the future of gastronomic entertainment
The lesson of the cronut and similar viral food phenomena is clear: culinary entertainment must adapt to modern consumption habits. Audiences prioritize novelty, engagement, and interactivity over formulaic instruction. Cooking shows that fail to embrace social media, short-form content, and participatory experiences risk further decline. Networks must rethink formats, perhaps by integrating digital platforms, encouraging audience participation, or highlighting food as a visual and social experience rather than purely instructional content.
Several networks have tried hybrid methods, mixing traditional shows with interactive online features, live-streamed lessons, and social media engagement. These trials indicate that there continues to be room for TV-based cooking entertainment—but it must adapt to align with modern needs. The essential factor is to utilize the immediacy and interactivity audiences currently anticipate while preserving the narratives, excitement, and skill that render professional culinary content captivating.
The decline of TV cooking shows is less a failure of content than a reflection of changing audience behaviors and cultural trends. The cronut phenomenon illustrates how novelty, shareability, and digital engagement have reshaped food culture, emphasizing immediacy, aesthetics, and participation. Television networks and culinary content creators must recognize these shifts to remain relevant. By embracing new formats, interactive experiences, and the social dimensions of food, culinary entertainment can continue to thrive, even in an age dominated by short-form digital content and viral sensations.