Besides the above genres, some dating TV shows for elderly people have gone viral on social media for the participants' "interesting conversations" and practical demand of relationships. Although there is no official data about the national single population aged over 60, the Qingdao Statistics Bureau estimates that by the end of 2016, about one-third of people older than 60 were single in Qingdao, Shandong province.

According to HBresearch, an entertainment industry observer in Beijing, the variety shows explore the challenges elders face, including social isolation and a lack of cross-generation dialogue, which has made the shows popular among viewers, both old and young.

"However producers need to develop and introduce diversified programs or themes related to the senior group to provide audiences more entertainment choices," HBresearch says.

"Good variety shows can dig into what old people really need and want and shed light on how to deal with the challenges they face," Wen Weihua, professor at Beijing Jiaotong University, says.