Skip to main content
Search
Search
    Quick Search anywhere
    Quick search in Citations
Advanced Search
Skip main navigationClose Drawer MenuOpen Drawer Menu
Previous article
Next article
Original Article

The More You Watch, the More You Get?

Re-Examining the Effects of Binge-Watching on Entertainment Experiences

Published Online:August 09, 2022https://doi.org/10.1027/1864-1105/a000355

Abstract

Abstract: It is a popular notion that binge-watching – watching several episodes of a TV show in one sitting – enhances entertainment experiences compared to watching singular episodes. However, empirical results are contradictory, and the assumption of such effects is not well founded in theory. We thus re-examined this claim with an experiment (n = 80) and a field study using tracking data (n = 47). In the experiment, binge-watching had slightly negative effects on transportation, hedonic entertainment, and valence, but a positive effect on arousal. In the field study, there were no differences between the two viewing modes. We thus conclude that binge-watching per se does not affect the entertainment experience. This finding aligns with other recent research showing that binge-watching does not differ much from conventional and low-intensity media use and thus calls into question the usefulness of defining binge-watching solely based on the number of episodes in one sitting.

References

  • Acklin, M. (2020). More than half of Americans 13+ binge-watch. Civic Science. https://web.archive.org/web/20200516021232/https://civicscience.com/more-than-half-of-americans-13-binge-watch First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Baumgartner, S., & Kühne, R. (2021). Why do users stop pleasurable media experiences? A dynamic view of media entertainment viewing sessions. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the International Communication Association 2021 (online). First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Bartsch, A. (2012). Emotional gratification in entertainment experience. Why viewers of movies and television series find it rewarding to experience emotions. Media Psychology, 15(3), 267–302. https://doi.org/10.1080/15213269.2012.693811 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Böcking, T., & Fahr, A. (2009). Television program avoidance and personality. Communications, 34(3). https://doi.org/10.1515/COMM.2009.020 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Bradley, M. M., & Lang, P. J. (1994). Measuring emotion: The self-assessment manikin and the semantic differential. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 25(1), 49–59. https://doi.org/10.1016/0005-7916(94)90063-9 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Cabral, D., Castro, D., Rigby, J. M., Vasanth, H., Cameirão, M. S., Badia, S. B. I., & Nisi, V. (2020). To binge or not to binge: Viewers’ moods and behaviors during the consumption of subscribed video streaming. In N. J. NunesL. MaM. WangN. CorreiaZ. PanEds., Entertainment computing – ICEC 2020 (Vol. 12523, pp. 369–381). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-65736-9_33 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Castro, D., Rigby, J. M., Cabral, D., & Nisi, V. (2021). The binge-watcher’s journey: Investigating motivations, contexts, and affective states surrounding Netflix viewing. Convergence: The International Journal of Research into New Media Technologies, 27(1), 3–20. https://doi.org/10.1177/1354856519890856 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Cordeiro, J. A., Castro, D., Nisi, V., & Nunes, N. J. (2021). BWDAT: A research tool for analyzing the consumption of VOD content at home. Addictive Behaviors Reports, Article 100336. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abrep.2020.100336 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Czichon, M. (2019). Kumulierte Serienrezeption: Ein Modell zur Erklärung des Rezeptionsphänomens Binge Watching [Cumulative series use: A model for the explanation of the media use phenomenon binge-watching]. Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden. https://doi.org/10.1007/978–3-658–26842-8 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Erickson, S. E., Dal Cin, S., & Byl, H. (2019). An experimental examination of binge watching and narrative engagement. Social Sciences, 8(1), 19. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci8010019 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Flayelle, M., Maurage, P., Di Lorenzo, K. R., Vögele, C., Gainsbury, S. M., & Billieux, J. (2020). Binge-watching: What do we know so far? A first systematic review of the evidence. Current Addiction Reports, 7(1), 44–60. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40429-020-00299-8 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Flayelle, M., Maurage, P., Vögele, C., Karila, L., & Billieux, J. (2019). Time for a plot twist: Beyond confirmatory approaches to binge-watching research. Psychology of Popular Media Culture, 8(3), 308–318. https://doi.org/10.1037/ppm0000187 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Galak, J., & Redden, J. P. (2018). The properties and antecedents of hedonic decline. Annual Review of Psychology, 69(1), 1–25. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-122216-011542 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Granow, V. C., Reinecke, L., & Ziegele, M. (2018). Binge-watching and psychological well-being: Media use between lack of control and perceived autonomy. Communication Research Reports, 35(5), 392–401. https://doi.org/10.1080/08824096.2018.1525347 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Green, M. C., & Brock, T. C. (2000). The role of transportation in the persuasiveness of public narratives. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 79(5), 701–721. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.79.5.701 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Hofer, M., & Rieger, D. (2019). On being happy while consuming entertainment: Hedonic and non-hedonic modes of entertainment experiences. In J. A. MunizC. PulidoEds., Routledge handbook of positive communication (pp. 120–128). Routledge. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Horeck, T., Jenner, M., & Kendall, T. (2018). On binge-watching: Nine critical propositions. Critical Studies in Television: The International Journal of Television Studies, 13(4), 499–504. https://doi.org/10.1177/1749602018796754 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Horvath, J. C., Horton, A. J., Lodge, J. M., & Hattie, J. A. C. (2017). The impact of binge watching on memory and perceived comprehension. First Monday, 22(9). https://doi.org/10.5210/fm.v22i9.7729 First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Klesges, R. C., Shelton, M. L., & Klesges, L. M. (1993). Effects of television on metabolic rate: Potential implications for childhood obesity. Pediatrics, 91(2), 281–286. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.91.2.281 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Knobloch-Westerwick, S. (2013). Mood management: Theory, evidence, and advancements. In J. BryantP. VordererEds., Psychology of entertainment (pp. 257–272). Routledge. http://librarytitles.ebrary.com/id/10795564 First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Kubey, R., & Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2013). Television and the quality of life. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203812266 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Merikivi, J., Bragge, J., Scornavacca, E., & Verhagen, T. (2020). Binge-watching serialized video content: A transdisciplinary review. Television & New Media, 21(7), 697–711. https://doi.org/10.1177/1527476419848578 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Nelson, L. D., & Meyvis, T. (2008). Interrupted consumption: Disrupting adaptation to hedonic experiences. Journal of Marketing Research, 45(6), 654–664. https://doi.org/10.1509/jmkr.45.6.654 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Oliver, M. B., & Bartsch, A. (2011). Appreciation of entertainment: The importance of meaningfulness via virtue and wisdom. Journal of Media Psychology, 23(1), 29–33. https://doi.org/10.1027/1864-1105/a000029 First citation in articleLink, Google Scholar

  • Oliver, M. B., & Raney, A. A. (2011). Entertainment as pleasurable and meaningful: identifying hedonic and eudaimonic motivations for entertainment consumption. Journal of Communication, 61(5), 984–1004. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1460-2466.2011.01585.x First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Ort, A., Wirz, D. S., & Fahr, A. (2021). Is binge-watching addictive? Effects of motives for TV series use on the relationship between excessive media consumption and problematic viewing habits. Addictive Behaviors Reports, 13, Article 100325. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abrep.2020.100325 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Pittman, M., & Steiner, E. (2021). Distinguishing feast-watching from cringe-watching: Planned, social, and attentive binge-watching predicts increased well-being and decreased regret. Convergence: The International Journal of Research into New Media Technologies, 27(5), 1507–1524. https://doi.org/10.1177/1354856521999183 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Raney, A. A. (2004). Expanding disposition theory: Reconsidering character liking, moral evaluations, and enjoyment. Communication Theory, 14(4), 348–369. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2885.2004.tb00319.x First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Revelle, W., & Condon, D. M. (2019). Reliability from α to ω: A tutorial. Psychological Assessment, 31(12), 1395–1411. https://doi.org/10.1037/pas0000754 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Rubenking, B., & Bracken, C. C. (2018). Binge-watching: A suspenseful, emotional, habit. Communication Research Reports, 35(5), 381–391. https://doi.org/10.1080/08824096.2018.1525346 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Rubenking, B., Bracken, C. C., Sandoval, J., & Rister, A. (2018). Defining new viewing behaviours: What makes and motivates TV binge-watching? International Journal of Digital Television, 9(1), 69–85. First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Tukachinsky, R., & Eyal, K. (2018). The psychology of marathon television viewing: Antecedents and viewer involvement. Mass Communication and Society, 21(3), 275–295. https://doi.org/10.1080/15205436.2017.1422765 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Viens, A., & Farrar, K. M. (2021). Conceptualizing and measuring binge watching. Communication Studies, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/10510974.2021.1876748 First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Vorderer, P. (2011). What’s next? Remarks on the current vitalization of entertainment theory. Journal of Media Psychology, 23(1), 60–63. https://doi.org/10.1027/1864-1105/a000034 First citation in articleLink, Google Scholar

  • Vorderer, P., Klimmt, C., & Ritterfeld, U. (2004). Enjoyment: At the Heart of media entertainment. Communication Theory, 14(4), 388–408. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2885.2004.tb00321.x First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Walton-Pattison, E., Dombrowski, S. U., & Presseau, J. (2018). “Just one more episode”: Frequency and theoretical correlates of television binge watching. Journal of Health Psychology, 23(1), 17–24. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105316643379 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Warren, S. (2020). Binge-watching as a predictor of narrative transportation using HLM. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 64(2), 89–110. https://doi.org/10.1080/08838151.2020.1718985 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Wirth, W., Hofer, M., & Schramm, H. (2012). Beyond pleasure: Exploring the eudaimonic entertainment experience. Human Communication Research, 38(4), 406–428. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2958.2012.01434.x First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Wirz, D. S., Möri, M., Ort, A., Cordeiro, J., Castro, D., & Fahr, A. (2022). Materials and code for “Effects of binge-watching on entertainment experiences.” https://osf.io/qg3tz First citation in articleGoogle Scholar

  • Zillman, D., & Cantor, J. R. (1977). Affective responses to the emotions of a protagonist. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 13(2), 155–165. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-1031(77)80008-5 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Zillmann, D. (1988). Mood management through communication choices. American Behavioral Scientist, 31(3), 327–340. https://doi.org/10.1177/000276488031003005 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar

  • Zillmann, D. (1996). The psychology of suspense in dramatic exposition. In P. VordererH. J. WulffM. FriedrichsenEds., Suspense: Conceptualizations, theoretical analyses, and empirical explorations (pp. 199–231). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. First citation in articleGoogle Scholar