Streaming subscriptions with no commercials, a “skip recap” option and a vast selection of programs have made binge-watching television simpler than ever.
According to Cinema Blend, a Netflix survey defines binging as “watching between 2-6 episodes of the same TV show in one sitting.” Also, 61% of survey respondents commented that they habitually binge-watch.
I’ve done my share of binge-watching and recently completed the latest episode of Game of Thrones. I started watching at the beginning of June and, throughout the summer, would finish at least 6 episodes per week. How has binge-watching transformed the way we watch television? And most importantly, how can the viewer get the most out of their television experience consuming series this way?
Back in the early to mid-2000’s, television audiences would wait weekly for new episodes, reruns, or would DVR their media. Those who wanted to binge a series would have to purchase physical copies of that franchise. Netflix seized this untapped market by uploading full installments, without commercials, on their platform. They gave viewers, at a cheap price, access to content no longer airing on cable regularly. Netflix expanded the availability of television at a rapid rate and allowed consuming it to be as efficient as possible. It’s logical as to why they would be so successful.
“79% of those surveyed say binge-watching makes the actual show better.” Not surprisingly, I agree with the 79%. One of my frustrations is watching a long-running program weekly and forgetting relevant plot points or small side characters. When I binge-watch a series, the cast’s roles and personalities are fresh in my mind. This makes the over-arching story more comprehensible. Binging Game of Thrones was fundamental to my knowledge of it. There is, at the least, always five different arcs being fleshed out and intertwined throughout the season.
Finally, who wants to exit out of Netflix after an intense scene at the end of an episode? A television series’ main objective is to keep one invested and a good cliffhanger is the best way for the audience to want to watch next week’s episode. Nothing is more satisfying than immediately receiving an answer that was left open from the previous installment. Game of Thrones fans need no explanation on this one. Let just say, I’m ecstatic that I was able to immediately watch season 6 after that season 5 finale mind-blower.
To me, the biggest aspect of binging television is joining and interacting with the fanbase. Binge-watching allows the viewer to quickly and easily catch up to a program’s current airing. Imagine how much time someone could save skipping through every Game of Thrones opening song and recap! I love conversing with my friends, family, and coworkers on who our favorites are and what we believe will occur next. I’m thrilled to be a part of the Game of Thrones excitement.
Lauren Hoke, Guest Writer