Why are Nickelodeon's live action originals going extinct?

[Markus]

Live-action mostly beat animated shows back in the day so they had a good reason to make kidcoms. They have noticed that for a decade now animation has become more popular for kids even if it is struggling. Another reason for the lack of live-action. All teens I know are on TikTok. They were especially targeted by the networks a lot. They are just no longer to be found.

 

[SG-17]

The target demo of live action programming doesn't watch linear television anymore. Simple as that really.

 

[Stumpos]

I don't think that Miranda Cosgrove is that much of a musical artist. She had one album and I don't think she did much music afterwards. Music is a bigger aspect of both Victorious and Big Time Rush by comparison. I don't know if music is a big reason as to why those shows are gaining attention. Victorious was always pretty popular and fans would say it was cancelled too soon. It's also a way for them to jump on Ariana Grande's popularity by showing some of her earlier work. I don't think Big Time Rush's music got as much attention as Victorious' did, but I'm sure that people are nostalgic for some of their songs too.

Do you think another thing in Victorious' favor compared to other Dirty Dan shows seems to be how at least the entire cast of that show is pretty happy and content to return for reunions on the show? Compared to some of the other Dirty Dan sitcoms where there is at least one actor from the main cast who isn't returning for reunions with Drake & Josh having Drake Bell, Zoey 101 had Alexa Nikolas and Paul Butcher, and iCarly had Jeanette McCurdy, Victorious' entire main cast doesn't seem so disillusioned that they'd say no to returning (or got blacklisted in Drake Bell's case). Might also be why Henry Danger's gotten some content expansion since the entire main cast there is still open for reunions.

 

[Light Lucario]

Do you think another thing in Victorious' favor compared to other Dirty Dan shows seems to be how at least the entire cast of that show is pretty happy and content to return for reunions on the show? Compared to some of the other Dirty Dan sitcoms where there is at least one actor from the main cast who isn't returning for reunions with Drake & Josh having Drake Bell, Zoey 101 had Alexa Nikolas and Paul Butcher, and iCarly had Jeanette McCurdy, Victorious' entire main cast doesn't seem so disillusioned that they'd say no to returning (or got blacklisted in Drake Bell's case). Might also be why Henry Danger's gotten some content expansion since the entire main cast there is still open for reunions.

I suppose that's a possibility. I highly doubt that they could afford Ariana Grande or that she would be willing to appear as Cat again. I also wasn't sure if Victoria Justice herself would be involved with the spin-off series, but she still seemed to enjoy being in the original series.

 

[Stumpos]

I suppose that's a possibility. I highly doubt that they could afford Ariana Grande or that she would be willing to appear as Cat again. I also wasn't sure if Victoria Justice herself would be involved with the spin-off series, but she still seemed to enjoy being in the original series.

I think Ariana did say in some interviews or posts that she is at least open to return for a Victorious reunion. Obviously not gonna be a major player, but I think a guest spot could be on the table.

Victoria has also said she was open to returning for a Zoey 101 reunion, only not being in Zoey 102 due to scheduling conflicts rather than bad blood with Jamie Lynn Spears like Alexa Nikolas and Paul Butcher (Victoria Justice Reveals Why She Isn't in 'Zoey 102' Movie, Actress 'Open' to Reprising Her Role in the Future ). She also has said she's open to do a cameo for Hollywood Arts at least (https://people.com/victoria-justice...als-whether-she-ll-be-making-a-cameo-11689953 ).

 

[ATSFGuy]

Nick's live action/originals of the 2020's are very different than those from the 2010's, or even better the 2000's......

 

[RandomMe]

As I make the breakdowns on how often Nick aired certain shows, I'm noticing how much live action originals are dwindling in relevance.

Notably, there don't seem to be any major live action hits anymore after Henry Danger and The Thundermans (maybe Nicky Ricky Dicky and Dawn and Game Shakers if we're generous) that are fondly remembered. Most of them only getting 1 or 2 seasons at best now.

Even in airtime, post-2015 had the live action originals' airtime get dialed down with only the Henry Danger franchise getting a solid amount of reruns until by the 2020s, it became "mostly only air when premiering new episodes" type of deal.

And 2024 also marking another sign of live action originals starting to die off, with that year being the first year since Nickelodeon's founding in 1979 that they didn't premiere any live action original. They also canned a lot of their live action shows (the earliest ones still running by then started in 2020) with Danger Force, That Girl Lay Lay, The Really Loud House, and Nick News 2020 ending in that year. The following year also seeing the end of Tyler Perry's Young Dylan. Even the one live action show that premiered in 2025 with The Thundermans Undercover would finish the entirety of its 26 episode order by the end of the year and having no sign of getting a renewal after that. This only leaves NFL Slimetime as Nick's only live action original left, but that only airs seasonally.

And there don't seem to be any upcoming ones set to premiere this year. Even the Victorious sequel Hollywood Arts will be premiering on Netflix first rather than Nickelodeon.

What are your theories on why Nick's live action originals have lost so much relevance and are now on the verge of extinction?

I think it's because of declining interest.