Binge-watching
Binge-watching refers to the practice of watching multiple episodes of a television series in one sitting, often with minimal breaks. This trend has grown significantly with the rise of digital streaming services like Netflix and Hulu, which allow viewers to access entire seasons of original programming at once. Prior to this, binge-watching was facilitated by cable providers offering on-demand services and by DVD boxed sets that enabled viewers to watch entire series at their leisure. While many viewers enjoy binge-watching for the continuity it provides in following storylines and characters, others argue that it detracts from the overall viewing experience, particularly when it comes to the impact of cliffhanger endings.
Statistics show that a significant percentage of streaming service subscribers engage in binge-watching, with many doing so weekly. However, medical professionals express concerns regarding the potential health risks associated with long periods of inactivity, such as an increased risk for heart disease and diabetes, along with issues like disrupted sleep patterns and eye strain. To mitigate these risks, health experts recommend taking breaks to move around and stretch during binge-watching sessions. Overall, binge-watching is a culturally significant phenomenon that reflects changing viewing habits in the age of on-demand media, inviting both enjoyment and caution.
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Binge-watching
Binge-watching is the act of watching several or all episodes of a television series with few, if any, breaks. People often binge-watch TV series through a cable or satellite provider's on-demand service or a digital streaming service, such as Netflix or Hulu. DVD boxed sets and TV marathons that air back-to-back episodes of TV series are other ways to binge-watch. Although many people admit to binge-watching a show at one time or another, physicians generally agree that spending too much time on the couch in front of the TV is unhealthy.
Overview
Binge-watching is a relatively recent phenomenon. In the past, television networks sometimes aired "marathons" of back-to-back episodes of TV shows in the days or hours leading up to the premiere of a new season. Such marathons helped prior viewers catch up on missed episodes and enticed new viewers to start watching the show. Some networks still use this practice. DVD boxed sets made it possible for people to buy entire seasons of a TV show, and sometimes whole series, at once and watch all the episodes at their leisure. Binge-watching increased with the introduction of on-demand and digital streaming services.
Cable and satellite providers' on-demand services and streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu give people access to thousands of movies and television series they can watch whenever they want. At first, streaming services generally offered content that had previously aired on television networks. Although people certainly viewed several episodes of these old shows at a time, binge-watching did not really ingrain itself in mainstream culture until streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu began to offer original content.
Streaming services changed the game by delivering entire seasons of original programming at once. Gone were the days of watching the new season of a TV show from week to week, month after month, from September to May. Instead, people began watching four or five episodes of a new season of a show back-to-back. These binges increased as streaming services offered more original content and picked up wildly popular or critically acclaimed series from the networks. In 2023, 70 percent of Netflix subscribers admitted to binge-watching, when binge-watching was defined as watching three or more episodes of a show at a time. One-third of subscribers binge-watched at least once a week, and the average binge-watching session was between three and five episodes.
Some people think binge-watching is the best way to watch a show. By watching episodes back-to-back, people can keep track of storylines and characters more easily. Others believe binge-watching takes away from the TV viewing experience. For example, dramatic, cliffhanger endings lose their impact when they can be immediately resolved.
Regardless of how it affects the viewing experience, binge-watching can negatively impact a viewers' health. Research has consistently shown that long stretches of inactivity, such as sitting for extended periods, can increase people's risk of developing heart disease and diabetes. It can promote fat storage and cause weight gain. Staring at a screen for a long time can cause dizziness and vertigo. Binge-watching may cause muscle soreness from inactivity or disrupt sleep patterns. It may also affect mental health. Physicians recommend taking short breaks during binge-watching sessions to move around and stretch. Some have suggested walking on a treadmill or sitting on an exercise ball while watching TV to lessen the negative effects. In addition, people should avert their gaze and focus on a point or an object in the distance to reduce strain on their eyes.
Bibliography
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