A study of binge-watching Netflix, conducted by me, a binge-watcher

My name is Glenn Lewis, and I’m a Netflix addict.

When Netflix was introduced to Australia in March 2015, I immediately spent the required $8.99 and settled in to explore the 35,000+ hours of Netflix provides. One year later, I’ve (easily) binge-watched over 400 episodes of various shows – The Office, Mad Men, Parks & Recreation, Breaking Bad, to name a few – and I still haven’t begun on the movies. I watch it at the gym. On public transport. Before I go to work. When I get home. I leave it playing in the background as I eat, iron, and sometimes even when I sleep. Binge-watcher is a label I am familiar with.

“Binge-watch”, Collin’s Dictionary Word of the Year in 2015, is used like a badge of pride by millennials: ‘Yeah, I was exhausted all day because I stayed up and binge-watched Orange is the New Black until 2am. So worth it though.’ Binge-watching is defined as 2+ episodes of the same television show in succession. Most people would define that as light, before-bed watching. Ask anyone between the ages of 18-29 and they’ll tell you a real binge-watch is between four episodes or three seasons – you’re not done until Netflix tells you.

Settling in with approximately 2 million other viewers to begin an 8+ hour viewing of the long awaited fourth season of Netflix’s Arrested Development, I prepare for the hardship of having to watch one of my favourite television shows by mentally checking off what I need. Snacks? Icecream, crisps, soft-drink. Warmth? Socks, blanket, heater control within reach. Work tomorrow? Not until 5pm. And my boyfriend isn’t here to interrupt for at least six hours. Let the bingeing begin! But first, let’s talk about what this ‘binge’ really does to your body.

The term ‘binge’ does come with negative connotation, however. “I don’t like the term ‘binge,’ because it sounds almost pathological,” says Todd Yellin, a Netflix executive. “‘Marathon’ sounds more celebratory.”

Binge-drink, binge-eat, binge-watch: overdosing on these don’t imply healthy lifestyle choices. Research by the University of Toledo suggests that people who binge-watch (for more than two hours) reported higher feelings of depression, stress anxiety than those who switch off the television. So just as you get into the plotline, you’re supposed to shut it down? It’s all or nothing for me, as a binge-watcher.

However, the study’s co-author, Dr. Monika Karmarkar, warns that the study does not take into account eating or exercise habits of the participants, though they are aware that sedentary behaviour, such as watching television, can lead to physical and mental health problems. Of course, people who are already dealing with anxiety and stress may use television and binge-watching as a way to relax, says Karmarkar, and the study does not focus on whether binge-watching is simply a symptom of these issues, or the cause of them. Plus everyone’s aware that sitting for a long period of time is bad for your health, right? But what’s the harm in a casual two to eight hour session?

Obesity is a major issue what it comes to plonking yourself in front of the telly, with over 60% of Australians eating ‘always or often’ in front of the television, according to Nutrition Australia. This leads to unconscious eating, in which we’re focusing on media and not the food’s quantity or quality. According to cardiologist Dr Higgins, from The University of Texas Health Science Center, even watching your favourite characters enjoy a meal (or drink, or even cigarettes!) makes you crave for them as well. And a study by Cornell University says that watch high-paced, action shows (Hello Brooklyn 99) makes you eat faster than a less stimulating program, like the news. So in reality, we’re bingeing on both food and television when we think we’re just relaxing on the couch.

Right. Checking in a gym session too then, because marathon-ing Netflix can also lead to serious health complication such as Deep Vein Thrombosis, or DVT, a kind of pulmonary embolism. According to Osaka University, their 18-year study has proven that watching five hours of television per day is associated with twice the risk of a fatal pulmonary embolism than the definition of a binge: two hours/two episodes, considering that most episodes are in 50-60 minute chunks. Pulmonary embolism, and the symptoms (literally just having a sore leg, or even nothing at all) are becoming more common in young people due to hours spent still while gaming, traveling, or watching television.

The next episode begins in 5 … 4 … 3 … 2 … 1 …

I’m three episodes, four hours and sixteen body position changes into Arrested Development, and I think I’m still functioning fairly well. I think. I’ve had to swap out my contacts for glasses though, as my eyes are already feeling the strain from the television. Done the neck cracking, arm stretches, maybe a yawn. Blanket is still cosy, legs only slightly restless, but do I need the bathroom yet? Maybe after this episode. I’m just getting into the plot. Don’t want to risk that DVT though… But Netflix is restarting the show for me? I’ll shake off this leg cramp and get comfy, because I’m on this couch for the long haul.

Of course, Netflix has changed the way we watch television, and how the screenwriters must adapt to the binge-watch style. Netflix used to send television shows and movies in disk form, via mail. However, postage quickly became too expensive and Netflix changed over to be an internet streaming service, delivering films, television, documentaries etc. via the internet. Instead of releasing episodes by week, hoping the viewer would return, Netflix decided to turn the old model on its head and allow completely unfettered access to the whole season and series in one go, and initiating what we now call the binge-watch. The reason I chose to watch the fourth Arrested Development season is because it’s one of the first television show seasons designed to be binge-watched. Traditionally, there is a plotline i.e. episode plots that link to the over-arching storyline, linear timeline, character development, with a nice tidy summary/ cliff-hanger for the next season. Not so in the world of Arrested Development, in which each episode is dedicated to a different member of the dysfunctional Bluth family, complete with in-jokes, references, and further puzzles. The writers reward binge-watching, with understanding of the plot elements and backstory only noticed through a dedicated, non-stop viewing of the show.

Reed Hastings, CEO of Netflix, used the same open strategy when releasing House of Cards, explaining that by ‘reinforcing our brand attribute of giving consumers complete control over how and when they enjoy their entertainment’ more people were likely to get hooked on the show, by not having to wait another week for the next episode. Netflix has also dropped advertisements and re-runs, both staples of modern television, allowing the viewer to gorge themselves on the amount of instantly accessible television. Admittedly, people are still watching the premieres of their favourite shows such as Mad Men on normal television, complete with advertisements, especially after having watched the show’s earlier seasons on Netflix. However, shows like the Walking Dead are allowing their old seasons to appear on streaming services like Netflix, but the newest episodes go to other networks immediately while Netflix has to wait. This tactic allows the advertising to get its money in between episodes, and ensures that followers of the show have multiple options of how and when they’d like to watch.

Writers are changing their tactics, too, according to Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan. Instead of using cliff-hangers to pull viewers back into the story, ensuring the watching of next week’s episode or even after the next advertisement break, writers are focusing on expanding narratives and development. Netflix saw the demand for cancelled shows (Arrested Development has been killed off at least twice) and the potential to continue the saga for the enjoyment of fans. Mitch Hurwitz, writer and creator of Arrested Development, has publicly spoken about the risk of bingeing from a creator’s view point, explaining that he believes a reflection period on someone’s creative work may be necessary, or else risk missing themes or underlying points, as well as appreciation furthers the enjoyment of watching the series (with a break).

Are you still watching?

Netflix and my boyfriend ask me the same half concerned, half judgemental question. I’m seven hours in. The penultimate episode. It’s 3am. And you know? This turned into a bit of a hate-watch. A hope-watch. Whatever you want to call it, the series is not as good as it used to be, and I’m saying that through the sugar fuelled glaze of anger and nausea. My whole body feels like one giant cramp. My eyes feel like they’ve been so finely sanded, the television is shooting lasers straight into my skull. I feel mentally trampled, and I’m both sad and glad the show can be done now. At some point, the blankets have been kicked haphazardly around the couch. I lost my socks a while ago. Have I watched the show successfully? Barely. Do I hate myself? Yep. Will I do it again? Maybe. Probably. Yes.

But to be honest, too many times have I woken up with the tang of salt and vinegar chips in my mouth, the couch around me littered with empty cans of coke and half-melted pints of icecream. The red and black screen of Netflix glowing over me shows I’ve watched at least six episodes of a show where I don’t remember the main character’s name. Binge-watched. Marathon-ed. Physically, the repercussions of self-professed binge-watching aren’t sounding too good, with promises of obesity, injuries and illnesses threatening. Mentally, I feel like a poster child for PBD – post binge depression, as well as emotionally exhausted. I may still love watching my favourite show for hours, but couch, it’s you, not me. I’m tired and I need a break from this wrapped up relationship.  I think it’s time I took my phone with me to the gym to treadmill and Netflix.

My name’s Glenn Lewis, and I am a reformed Netflix binge-watch addict.

Note: no couches were harmed during the making of this article. However, ice-cream did get on a blanket. It’s chocolate. My next article will be Top 10 Chocolate Stain Removers.