Netflix members around the world are making their own rules when it comes to watching TV. Instead of one episode per week, Netflix members choose to binge watch their way through a series – that is, on average, finishing an entire season in one week.
Though binge watching is clearly the new normal, not all series are enjoyed the same way. Today, Netflix unveils The Binge Scale, revealing which shows we devour and which we savor.
Netflix examined global viewing* of more than 100 serialized TV series across more than 190 countries and found when members are focused on finishing a series, they watch a little over two hours a day to complete a season. When organizing series in relation to this benchmark, interesting patterns emerge, ranging from high energy narratives that are devoured to thought-provoking dramas that are savored.
Series like Sense8 and The 100 grab you, assault your senses, and as The Binge Scale shows, make it hard to pull away. The classic elements of horror and thrillers go straight for the gut, pushing the placement of series like The Walking Dead, American Horror Story andThe Fall towards the devour end of the scale. Likewise, comedies with a dramatic bent, like Orange is the New Black, Nurse Jackie and Grace and Frankie, seem to tickle our fancy and make it easy to say ‘just one more.’
It’s no surprise that complex narratives, like that of House of Cards and Bloodline, are indulged at an unhurried pace. Nor that viewers take care to appreciate the details of dramas set in bygone eras, like Peaky Blinders and Mad Men. Maybe less obvious are irreverent comedies like BoJack Horseman, Love and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. But the societal commentary that powers their densely layered comedy paired with characters that are as flawed as they are entertaining allow them to be savored.
“As The Binge Scale indicates, the viewing experience of a series can range from the emotional to the thought-provoking,” said Cindy Holland, Vice President of Original Content at Netflix. “Netflix helps you to find a series to binge no matter your mood or occasion, and the freedom to watch that series at your own pace – whether that’s to appreciate the drama ofBloodline or power through Orange is the New Black.”
Titles in the “devoured” camp included “Sense8,” “Orphan Black,” “The 100,” “The Walking Dead,” “American Horror Story,” “The Fall,” “Orange Is the New Black,” “Nurse Jackie,” “Hemlock Grove,” “Marco Polo” and “Grace & Frankie.” Those were typically completed in four days and viewed roughly two hours, 30 minutes per sitting.
On the “savored” side are “House of Cards,” “Bloodline,” “Peaky Blinders,” “Narcos,” “Daredevil,” “Mad Men,” “BoJack Horseman,” “Love” and “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.” Those titles are typically completed in six days and viewed roughly one hour and 45 minutes per sitting.
THE NETFLIX BINGE SCALE (Based on global viewing data)
- Irreverent Comedies: Arrested Development, BoJack Horseman, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Love, F is for Family, Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp
- Political Dramas: House of Cards, Occupied, The West Wing
- Historical Dramas: Mad Men, Narcos, Peaky Blinders
- Superhero Drama: Gotham, Marvel’s Daredevil, Marvel’s Jessica Jones, The Flash
- Crime Dramas: Better Call Saul, Bloodline, The Blacklist, Twin Peaks
- Dramatic Comedies: Flaked, Grace & Frankie, Nurse Jackie, Orange is the New Black, Parenthood, Weeds
- Action & Adventure: Arrow, Marco Polo, Prison Break, Turn
- Sci-Fi: Ascension, Between, Heroes, Sense8, The 100, The 4400
- Horror: American Horror Story, Hemlock Grove, Scream, The Walking Dead, Z Nation
- Thriller: Bates Motel, Breaking Bad, Dexter, Sons of Anarchy, The Fall, The Following, The Killing
*METHODOLOGY
Netflix analyzed more than 100 serialized TV series across more than 190 countries between October 2015 and May 2016. The research examined member completion of the first season for all series. Data was only included for accounts that fully completed the season. Completion rates were organized into days and hours. The global median days to complete the first season of these series was five days. The median hours per session for completers overall was two hours and ten minutes. Series viewed less than two hours per day were identified as ‘savored.’ Series viewed more than two hours per day were identified as ‘devoured.’ Series were not restricted by launch dates, runtime or number of episodes. Where a series falls on The Netflix Binge Scale has no relation to viewership.
SOURCE Netflix
Disclaimer
The information contained in South Florida Reporter is for general information purposes only.
The South Florida Reporter assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions in the contents of the Service.
In no event shall the South Florida Reporter be liable for any special, direct, indirect, consequential, or incidental damages or any damages whatsoever, whether in an action of contract, negligence or other tort, arising out of or in connection with the use of the Service or the contents of the Service. The Company reserves the right to make additions, deletions, or modifications to the contents of the Service at any time without prior notice.
The Company does not warrant that the Service is free of viruses or other harmful components
