The term binge watching refers to the act of excessively watching series or films, often in a single prolonged session.
This behavior consists of spending much longer time than expected watching a program, particularly series with many episodes and seasons.
The rise of unlimited Internet connections, streaming and content accessible on demand has largely contributed to the intensification of this practice.
During the confinements linked to the Covid-19 pandemic, these viewing marathons often replaced going to the cinema. Their consumption had also increased by 20% compared to the previous year.
Binge watching does not have a universal definition. It is often described as watching 2 to 6 episodes of a program in a single sitting, exceeding three consecutive hours. Some consider that it starts when you watch more than 4 episodes in an evening.
Why are TV series addictive?
The most captivating series generally rely on a strong narrative thread that maintains continuity from one episode to the next.
They often use endings marked by twists and turns (cliffhangers), to arouse the immediate desire to discover what happens next. Binge watching fans immerse themselves deeply in the world of the series, developing an intense, almost fusional connection with the story and certain characters.
In an article “Series fans: addiction or takeover? » Dina Rasolofoarison, researcher at Dauphine Recherches en Management, and Stéphanie Feiereisen, associate professor at Montpellier Business School wrote in 2021 that “many series fans like to fully immerse themselves in a story and want to be transported to another world (…) .
And the phenomenon of binge watching, the negative effects of which are certainly mentioned (feeling of bulimia or indigestion followed by regret for not having stopped sooner), is often part of this context. A fan of House of Cards, for example, recounts having watched an entire season in one weekend to certainly know the end of the story, but above all to be able to ‘stay in the atmosphere’. »
What type of binge watcher are you?
Professor Laurent Karila, psychiatrist at Paul-Brousse hospital (Villejuif) and author of the book “Doctor: addict or not? » (2024) “profiled” 3 categories of binge watchers:
– The “very fast” binge watcher finishes a season in a few days, with sessions of 3 to 4 episodes (around 2.5 hours per day). He favors horror, science fiction or thriller series, without it being everyday.
– The “fast” binge watcher finishes a season in five days, spending around 2 hours a day in front of a screen. He prefers dramatic comedies, superhero series or those centered on the crime world.
– The “fairly slow” binge watcher finishes a season in almost a week, watching about 1 hour 45 minutes each session. He favors political, comic or historical series.
Why do some of us binge watch?
Binge watching is often motivated by the desire to create social connections, to be part of a group, to feel accepted, or even to avoid being excluded from conversations.
The fear of missing information also pushes some people to watch quickly to avoid spoilers. But others see it as a form of immediate gratification, a way to escape from stress, their worries, and to relax.
In addition, binge watchers “often have strong fantastic empathy,” analyzes the psychiatrist, “feeling the emotions of fictional characters, which influences their identification and the evolution of the plot. » They have significant capacities for concentration and intellectual mobilization.
A behavioral addiction
The majority of people binge watch alone, and more than 70% lose control of the number of episodes initially planned. The specialist warns: “those who feel negative gratification (a gratification may in fact not necessarily be positive, editor’s note) and anxiety after a session are more likely to become dependent, seeking ‘relief’ through series, like a cocaine addict. » Without any appeasement however.
Excessive binge watching has similarities with a behavioral addiction, says Laurent Karila, who lists its characteristics: “loss of control, urgency to watch, regrets or guilt, neglect of personal obligations, negative social and health consequences, lies, and symptoms withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, nervousness, anger, even rage, as well as difficulty concentrating and paying attention. »
Is it serious?
The negative consequences of binge watching “especially affect vulnerable people, such as children, adolescents and excessive binge watchers,” explains the psychiatrist. They are mainly psychological: stress, anxiety, sleep disorders, disorganized eating behaviors leading to weight gain and a sedentary lifestyle. Impulsivity, loss of control, isolation, loneliness and fatigue are common. Post-binge watching depression is a reality.
To know if you are an excessive “binge watcher” with significant consequences in your life, you must check “yes” to each of the 6 criteria:
– Tolerance: you must increase the viewing time to obtain the same effects as the first times.
– Relapse: after a break, we quickly fall back into a cycle of binge watching.
– Importance: binge watching becomes the central activity of life.
– Conflict: this activity harms personal, professional and social life.
– Mood: we binge watch to escape negative emotions and improve our mood in the short term.
– Envy due to lack: the inability to binge watch creates a strong feeling of lack.
Tips for moderating binge watching
Professor Karila suggests setting a number of episodes and a viewing time in advance, resisting cliffhangers, taking breaks and chatting with those around you, avoiding snacking, disturbing your sleep and commenting on social networks during the episodes.
If this behavior becomes a way of escaping negative emotions, you should consult a professional to treat the underlying problem.
Sources: Hadopi Barometer “Consumption of dematerialized cultural goods in a situation of confinement” from May 2020, 51% of French respondents aged 15 and over watched series on the Internet during the 8e week of confinement when they were 42% in May 2019; “Doctor: addict or not? » by Professor Laurent Karila, Harper Collins editions, January 2024/608 pages; Médiamétrie survey carried out in December 2016 on a representative panel of 1,424 people in France.
