Binge-Watching Netflix? Insights From Data Donations

Karin van Es and Dennis Nguyen
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Karin van Es: Department of Media and Culture Studies, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
Dennis Nguyen: Department of Media and Culture Studies, Utrecht University, The Netherlands

Media and Communication, 2025, vol. 13

Abstract: Netflix is often credited with mainstreaming binge-watching through its release strategy and interface features. However, despite this reputation, data on actual consumption patterns remains scarce, enabling Netflix to shape the narrative about how content is consumed on its platform and what this implies about content quality and viewer attentiveness. This article provides unique empirical insights into Netflix viewing patterns in the Netherlands, based on a pilot study involving data donated by 126 subscribers. It introduces a definition of binge-watching tailored for computational analysis and offers an empirical understanding of its prevalence and manifestations. The findings suggest that binge-watching is a diverse and complex activity. While it is seemingly popular, in that it is practiced by many subscribers, the data suggest it occurs less frequently and is less extreme than would be expected from the hype.

Keywords: binge-watching; data transparency; Netflix; streaming; viewing patterns (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:cog:meanco:v13:y:2025:a:9362

DOI: 10.17645/mac.9362

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