Whether it’s Netflix, Apple, Amazon Prime, or Disney+, streaming platforms have revolutionized the TV industry. You no longer have to wait weeks or months to watch new episodes of your favourite programs.

Chances are, everything is available to you from the offset. This has given rise to the popular pastime of binge-watching, where people watch programs from beginning to end over a short time.

This article will take a deep dive into the world of streaming and see what our viewing habits actually mean for the industry. Is binge-watching a good use of our time? Are we having fun or simply passing the time? And is it shaking up the TV industry in a good or bad way? Let’s find out.

Just how common is binge-watching? And is it a problem?

Binge-watching has become a global phenomenon, with more and more people endlessly watching content on their TV sets. A TV program might be popular one day until everyone moves on to the next big thing. And so on, and so on.

Recent studies have found that up to 3 out of every four viewers self-reported as ‘binge watchers’ and that if all program episodes were available, it inspired ‘‘marathon viewing’ until the series ended.

In a move to share their most popular shows, Netflix has committed to sharing viewership numbers every six months across their platform. By analyzing these figures, we can see the effect of binge-watching on the TV landscape.

Results from January to June of 2024 showed the most popular shows were The Night Agent, season 2 of Ginny and Georgia, Korean drama The Glory, Wednesday, and the Bridgeton spin-off Queen Charlotte. But unfortunately, being popular doesn’t necessarily mean a show is that successful.

The TV series Shadow and Bone ranked 26th on the list of popular programs. Netflix decided to cancel the show in late 2023 despite the fact it outperformed many other programs that the platform renewed.

The idea that binge-watching isn’t translating into success has been a growing concern for many people within the TV industry, with some Hollywood showrunners requesting that their programs be released weekly, not all at once.

By returning to traditional television scheduling, shows may enjoy a longer time in the spotlight, as fans anticipate weekly updates, and the show’s big moments are gradually teased over time.

A fun pastime? Or a nasty habit?

Growing research into the art of binge-watching is also shedding light on the potential health risks it poses, which can be a cause for concern for many people.

Studies published in the National Library of Medicine found that binge-watching could lead to problematic behaviours, including a feeling of a lack of control, unhealthy diets, sleeping problems, and a neglect of duties.

Other research has examined the motivation behind binge-watching, finding it to be a way for people to ‘manage boredom.’ People who’ve actively watched a series from beginning to end may just be doing so for the sake of it rather than being interested in the show.

Perhaps the best move forward for television fans is to watch programs they are genuinely interested in and at a much slower pace.

Unlocking the true potential of a streaming platforms

With so much choice on streaming platforms, it can be hard to believe people can struggle to find interesting programs to watch.

But the sad reality is that many platforms restrict your ability to watch what you want. This is because they often restrict content based on your location. Despite paying the full price for your subscription, certain programs can be flagged as unavailable in your area.

Viewers would have no choice but to watch something else in the meantime. That is unless you use a virtual private network (VPN).

A VPN is a nifty tool that can help unlock the true potential of all your streaming platforms. It works by relocating your IP address, making it appear like you live elsewhere. You bypass content that would otherwise be restricted to you.

For example, a VPN for smart TV can unlock the entire library of programs Apple offers to US residents, even if you’re living in the UK. What’s more, if you’re going away on vacation and want to continue watching your favourite programs, a VPN ensures consistent access to content that otherwise would be blocked.

Using tech tools like a VPN ensures that you can always watch shows you’re interested in when and where you want to, and not simply for the sake of it.