Binge-watching: Origins and Popularity
The term binge-watch was first reported in 2003. The habit of watching multiple episodes of a show in one sitting became widely popular in 2013 when Netflix released all 13 episodes of the first season of the political series House of Cards at once, instead of releasing episodes weekly. This shift marked a new era for streaming content consumption.
Recognition and Growth
In 2015, Collins English Dictionary named binge-watch the word of the year, noting a 200 percent increase in its use compared to the previous year.
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic
The 2020 coronavirus pandemic caused a significant rise in binge-watching. For example, HBO reported a 65 percent increase in subscribers watching three or more episodes consecutively starting March 14, 2020, coinciding with the implementation of stay-at-home orders across many U.S. states.
Statistics on Binge-watching Behavior by 2025
- 77 percent of Americans binge-watch monthly.
- The average binge session involves watching 5.5 episodes, lasting about 4.1 hours.
- Around 10 percent of Americans binge-watch daily.
- Netflix is the most popular platform for binge-watching.
- Generation Z (born 1997–2012) is the most active group, with 86 percent binge-watching monthly.
Common Reasons to End a Binge
"The most common reason for ending a binge-watching session was exhaustion or the need for sleep, followed by the completion of a season."
Author’s Summary
Binge-watching is a widespread cultural trend accelerated by streaming platforms and the pandemic, with many viewers watching multiple episodes in long sessions driven mostly by convenience and content accessibility.