In a post-Snowden world, it should come as no surprise that Netflix pretty much knows everything about what, how, and why you’re watching what you’re watching. The ever-popular streaming service has a mountain of data at its fingertips, and it puts that to good use in deciding how best to craft and release its burgeoning slate of original series.
Today, Netflix unveiled some data about binge-watching habits, specifically which shows and whichkindsof shows viewers are more likely to watch the fastest, and which ones viewers like to “savor”, which is another word for “watch TV like a normal person pre-2007.”
The results are simultaneously unsurprising and kind of shocking. For instance, darker shows and thrillers are more likely to be binged extremely quickly, while comedies and complex political and historical dramas are watched at a slower pace. The binge scale is divided up into “devoured” and “savored”, with the former describing shows that viewers spent more than two hours a day consuming, while the latter are shows that are watched less than two hours per day. The median days to complete the first season of a TV show on Netflix was five days, per their data, and the median hours per session of those that completed a show overall was 2 hours and 10 minutes. In other words, folks are spendinga lotof time watching Netflix.
Specifically, buzzy and highly serialized shows likeThe 100,Orphan Black, andSense8were more likely to be devoured, as were thematically dark yet entertaining series likeThe Walking Dead,American Horror Story,Dexter,Breaking Bad, andThe Fall. And comedies with a dramatic bent likeOrange Is the New Black,Weeds, andGrace and Frankiewere binged rather quickly.
But dark doesn’t always equal binge-worthy, as the complexity of shows likeHouse of Cards,Bloodline,Mad Men,Peaky Blinders, and evenDaredevilled to a slower season consumption. And somewhat surprisingly, half-hour straight-up comedies likeUnbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,Arrested Development, andBoJack Horsemanwere more likely to be savored.
You can get a closer look at the scale via Netflix’s chart below. I’ll admit I’m surprised that seemingly breezy shows likeKimmy Schmidtare devoured more slowly, but I suppose the serialization ofOrange Is the New Blackor something likeThe Fallmakes it easier to say “just one more.”
What do you think folks? Do these statistics reflect your own viewing habits? Sound off in the comments, and if you’re looking for recommendations,check out our extensive list of the best TV shows currently streaming on Netflix.
