Something old, something new: TV binge-watching trends this summer

Students share the shows they binge-watched this summer and how streaming has influenced their media consumption. Photo collage by HAILEY MERIN, staff photographer

Her laptop open with a freshly-brewed cup of coffee and breakfast at her side, senior television writing and production and psychology double major Stephanie Fentzke pressed the glorious play button allowing Netflix to fill her screen with the introduction credits of "Downton Abbey." 

Let the binge-watching begin.

The term “binge-watching” is commonplace these days, even warranting its own dictionary definition: "to watch many or all episodes of (a TV series) in rapid succession." 

Many people may think this term applies solely to newly released shows, but for Fentzke, the term is applicable to any content, old or new.

“I think binge-watching means you’ve found a show you are highly invested in,” Fentzke said. “You will either watch the entire season in one sitting or anytime that you do have a break in your week, it’s always that show.”

Along with "Downton Abbey," Fentzke told The Panther she spent her summer watching "Extraordinary Attorney Woo," a new South Korean series now streamable on Netflix. But she also found herself enjoying older shows, including the animated series "Death Note," that is also now accessible on Netflix. 

According to Britannica, 73% of Americans admit to binge-watching, with the average binge lasting three hours and eight minutes. Further, 87% of Gen-Z reported that they binge-watch.

For sophomore broadcast journalism and documentary major Ruthie Weeks, binge-watching some of her favorite shows was a source of joy over the summer. 

As most people found themselves binge-watching newly released shows — including "Never Have I Ever," "Stranger Things," and "The Summer I Turned Pretty" — Weeks said she returned to her tried and true favorites. 

“This summer I rewatched "Brooklyn 99," which is my comfort show,” Weeks said. “So this summer when I was feeling bored or feeling down it was just the best thing for me to take a break from whatever I was doing. I also watched "Modern Family" and "Dickinson" on Apple TV+.” 

Some students find that binge-watching does not always take the form of a days-long couch bender laying in a vegetative manner. For Weeks, she uses binge-watching to fill any spare time, no matter the time of day, with a beloved show. 

“When I am watching a show I really like, I tend to get really involved in it, and any free time I have I will be watching that show just to find out what happens next,” Weeks said. 

Weeks said this definition is the true meaning of binge-watching, the very addictive power that the ‘Play Next Episode’ button holds. The way television shows can grab the viewer’s attention and hold on tight is a common reason why people binge.

For example, from May 30 to June 5 this summer, Stranger Things’ newest season was viewed globally for 335,010,000 hours as people across the world sat down to watch the entire new season as soon as they could. 

Though television remains a behemoth, students find other media forms that also attract their attention, including books, YouTube and TikTok. 

“I definitely watch YouTube a lot,” Weeks said. “Ever since I was younger I really liked watching YouTube. So I did that a lot this summer. In the past few years I’ve liked to watch Kurtis Conner. I think he’s really funny, and I really like watching his podcast.” 

Can these shorter media forms compete with television? According to film production professor David Kost, who enjoyed shows like "Severance" and "Dopesick" this summer, TikTok and YouTube do not compare.

“It feels like there’s more and more things pulling at our attention,” Kost said. “But the human appetite for narrative content is always going to be there, and I don’t think it can be satisfied by these other forms. They can’t quite scratch the itch that is satisfied by watching "The Office" and going, ‘Will Jim and Pam end up together?’”

Whether sitting on the couch or laying in bed, whether with friends or alone, binge-watching television was a staple of the summer for Chapman students. For both new shows and classics, students and professors alike found that television remained one of their favorite pastimes and their most forgiving time commitment.