Volume index - Journal index - Article index - Map ---- Back

Comunicar Journal 75: Youth, gender identity and power in digital platforms (Vol. 31 - 2023)

Let’s talk series: Binge-watching vs. marathon. The duality in the consumption of episodes from the Grounded Theory

https://doi.org/10.3916/C75-2023-06

Eva Martínez-Serrano

Diana Gavilan

Gema Martínez-Navarro

Abstract

Binge-watching refers to the consecutive viewing of episodes of a fictional series, usually of the drama genre, in a single session. The approaches to its background, practice, and effects are diverse and controversial. Using a qualitative-exploratory approach analysed with Grounded Theory, this paper studies the experience of binge-watching users from data collected from a sample of 20 individuals combined with techniques such as group meetings, in-depth interviews and projective techniques. Results lead to the identification of two underlying patterns of behaviour associated with the consumption of dramatic content: planned binge-watching and unplanned binge-watching. Planned binge-watching is the intentional consumption of more than two consecutive episodes of a fictional series whose psychological effects are mainly gratification based on evasion. Planned series consumption has a socializing effect, especially among young people. Unplanned binge-watching is the unintentional and spontaneous chained viewing of more than two episodes of a fiction series. The viewing unit is each individual episode, linked to the next by the curiosity aroused by the plot. The psychological effects are gratification derived from evasion, followed by a feeling of guilt derived from the loss of control. The study concludes with the formulation of seven hypotheses for empirical verification, academic and professional implications, and future lines of research.

Keywords

Binge-watching, series, Netflix, video streaming, Grounded Theory, content consumption

PDF file in Spanish

PDF file in English

References

Ahmed, A.M. (2017). New era of TV-watching behavior: Binge watching and its psychological effects. Media Watch, 8(2), 192-207. https://doi.org/10.15655/mw/2017/v8i2/49006

Ajzen, I. (1985). From intentions to actions: A theory of planned behaviour. In J. Kuhl, & J. Beckmann, J. (eds), Action control (pp. 11-39). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-69746-3_2

Ajzen, I. (2011). The theory of planned behaviour: Reactions and reflections. Psychology & Health, 26(9), 1113-1127. https://doi.org/10.1080/08870446.2011.613995

Anghelcev, G., Sar, S., Martin, J., & Moultrie, J.L. (2022). Is heavy binge-watching a socially driven behaviour? Exploring differences between heavy, regular and non-binge-watchers. Journal of Digital Media & Policy, 13(2), 201-221. https://doi.org/10.1386/jdmp_00035_1

Arrieta, E.A., Castillo, L.M., & Amillategui, B.N. (2020). Pandemia, consumo audiovisual y tendencias de futuro en comunicación. Revista de Comunicación y Salud, 10(2), 149-183. https://doi.org/10.35669/rcys.2020.10(2).149-183

Beck, A., Wright, C., Newman C., & Liese, B. (1999). Cognitive therapy for drug addiction. Paidós.

Bhattacherjee, A. (2012). Social science research: Principles, methods, and practices. Textbooks Collection. https://bit.ly/3UqAtiG

Birks, M., & Mills, J. (2015). Grounded theory: A practical guide. Sage publications. https://bit.ly/3VF5bpI

Borgatti, S. (2008). Introduction to grounded theory. https://bit.ly/3uxtr1f

Chmielewski, D.C. (2013). Binge-viewing is transforming the television experience. Los Ángeles Times. https://lat.ms/3iPPkWG

Ciaramella, D., & Biscuiti, M. (2014). Can't stop, won't stop: binge-viewing is our new favorite addiction. Miner & Co. Studio.

Davis, B.C. (2016). The Netflix effect and defining binge-watching. Virginia Common-wealth University Research Report. https://bit.ly/3VIjvxN

De-Feijter, D., Khan, V.J., & van-Gisbergen, M. (2016). Confessions of a 'guilty' couch potato. Understanding and using context to optimize binge-watching behavior. In P. Whitney, & J. Murray (Eds.), Proceedings of the ACM International conference on interactive experiences for TV and online video (pp. 59-67). ACM. https://doi.org/10.1145/2932206.2932216

Feeney, N. (2014). When, exactly, does watching a lot of Netflix become a ‘binge’? The Atlantic.

Flayelle, M., Maurage, P., & Billieux, J. (2017). Toward a qualitative understanding of binge-watching behaviors: A focus group approach. Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 6(4), 457-471. https://doi.org/10.1556/2006.6.2017.060

Flayelle, M., Maurage, P., Di-Lorenzo, K.R., Vögele, C., Gainsbury, S.M., & Billieux, J. (2020). Binge-watching: What do we know so far? A first systematic review of the evidence. Current Addiction Reports, 7(1), 44-60. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40429-020-00299-8

Glaser, B.G. (1992). Basics of grounded theory analysis. Sociology Press.

Glaser, B.G., & Strauss, A. (1967). The discovery of grounded theory. Aldine Press. https://doi.org/10.1097/00006199-196807000-00014

Hanel, R. (2014). Byliner brings binge culture to books. Poets & Writers. https://bit.ly/3HnfISm

Hennink, M., & Kaiser, B.N. (2021). Sample sizes for saturation in qualitative research: A systematic review of empirical tests. Social Science & Medicine, 292, 114523. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114523

Horeck, T., Jenner, M., & Kendall, T. (2018). On binge-watching: Nine critical propositions. Critical Studies in Television, 13(4), 499-504. https://doi.org/10.1177/1749602018796754

Jenner, M. (2017). Binge watching: Video-on-demand, quality TV and mainstreaming fandom. International Journal of Cultural Studies, 20(3), 304-320. https://doi.org/10.1177/1367877915606485

Jones, S., Cronin, J., & Piacentini, M.G. (2018). Mapping the extended frontiers of escapism: Binge-watching and hyperdiegetic exploration. Journal of Marketing Management, 34(5-6), 497-508. https://doi.org/10.1080/0267257X.2018.1477818

Joy, A., & Sherry-Jr, J.F. (2003). Speaking of art as embodied imagination: A multisensory approach to understanding aesthetic experience. Journal of Consumer Research, 30(2), 259-282. https://doi.org/10.1086/376802

Katz, E., Blumler, J.G., & Gurevitch, M. (1973). Uses and gratifications research. The Public Opinion Quarterly, 37(4), 509-523. https://doi.org/10.1086/268109

Malhotra, N.K. (2004). Market research: An applied approach. Pearson Educación.

Matrix, S. (2014). The Netflix effect: Teens, binge watching, and on-demand digital media trends. Jeunesse: Young People, Texts, Cultures, 6(1), 119-138. https://doi.org/10.1353/jeu.2014.0002

Mena, M. (2021). Baja el ritmo de suscripciones de Netflix tras el boom de la pandemia. [Digate image]. https://bit.ly/3F0OrCn

Merikivi, J., Bragge, J., Scornavacca, E., & Verhagen, T. (2020). Binge-watching serialized video content: A transdisciplinary review. Television & New Media, 21(7), 697-711. https://doi.org/10.1177/152747641984857

Merikivi, J., Salovaara, A., Mäntymäki, M., & Zhang, L. (2018). On the way to understanding binge watching behavior: the over-estimated role of involvement. Electronic Markets, 28(1), 111-122. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12525-017-0271-4

Nee, R.C., & Barker, V. (2020). Co-viewing virtually: Social Outcomes of second screening with televised and streamed content. Television & New Media, 21(7), 712-729. https://doi.org/10.1177/1527476419853450

Otterson, J. (2017, November 2). ‘Stranger Things’ season 2 premiere draws more than 15 million viewers in three days. Variety. https://bit.ly/3gN1ijh

Pang, A.S. (2014, February 13). In defense of binge watching: It’s a thoughtful, smart way to enjoy the new House of Cards season. Slate. https://bit.ly/3ATyU63

Papathanassis, A., & Knolle, F. (2011). Exploring the adoption and processing of online holiday reviews: A grounded theory approach. Tourism Management, 32(2), 215-224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2009.12.005

Perks, L.G. (2019). Media marathoning and health coping. Communication Studies, 70(1), 19-35. https://doi.org/10.1080/10510974.2018.1519837

Peterson, R.A., & Kern, R.M. (1996). Changing highbrow taste: from snob to omnivore. American Sociological Review, 61(5). https://doi.org/10.2307/2096460

Pires-de-Sá, F., & Roig, A. (2016). Challenging prime time television: Co-viewing practices in the Brazilian telenovela. Convergence, 22(4), 392-407. https://doi.org/10.1177/1354856516641623

Pittman, M., & Sheehan, K. (2015). Sprinting a media marathon: Uses and gratifications of binge-watching television through Netflix. First Monday, 20(10). https://doi.org/10.5210/fm.v20i10.6138

Pittman, M., & Steiner, E. (2019). Transportation or narrative completion? Attentiveness during binge-watching moderates regret. Social Sciences, 8(3), 99. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci8030099

Ramayan, S., Estella, A.M., & Bakar, I.A. (2018). The effects of binge watching on interpersonal communication among Department of Communication and Liberal Arts (DCLA) Students. Ideology Journal of Arts and Social Science, 3(3), 127-143. https://bit.ly/3FChTQn

Ramsay, D. (2013). Confessions of a binge watcher. CST Online. https://bit.ly/2L5CJK7

Riddle, K., Peebles, A., Davis, C., Xu, F., & Schroeder, E. (2018). The addictive potential of television binge watching: Comparing intentional and unintentional binges. Psychology of Popular Media Culture, 7(4), 589-604. https://doi.org/10.1037/ppm0000167

Rubenking, B., & Bracken, C.C. (2018). Binge-watching: A suspenseful, emotional, habit. Communication Research Reports, 35(5), 381-391. https://doi.org/10.1080/08824096.2018.1525346

Saunders, B., Sim, J., Kingstone, T., Baker, S., Waterfield, J., Bartlam, B., Burroughs, H., & Jinks, C. (2018). Saturation in qualitative research: exploring its conceptualization and operationalization. Quality & Quantity, 52(4), 1893-1907. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-017-0574-8

Shim, H., & Kim, K.J. (2018). An exploration of the motivations for binge-watching and the role of individual differences. Computers in Human Behavior, 82, 94-100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2017.12.032

Shim, H., Lim, S., Jung, E.E., & Shin, E. (2018). I hate binge-watching but I can’t help doing it: The moderating effect of immediate gratification and need for cognition on binge-watching attitude-behavior relation. Telematics and Informatics, 35(7), 1971-1979. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tele.2018.07.001

Sigre-Leirós, V., Billieux, J., Mohr, C., Maurage, P., King, D.L., Schimmenti, A., & Flayelle, M. (2022). Binge-watching in times of COVID-19: A longitudinal examination of changes in affect and TV series consumption patterns during lockdown. Psychology of Popular Media. https://doi.org/10.1037/ppm0000390

Song, L., Zhang, Q., Hu, B. & Mou, J. (2022). To resist or to purchase: The causal mechanism of binge-watching and program puchase. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 68, 103021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretconser.2022.103021

Spangler, T. (2016). Binge nation: 70% of Americans engage in marathon TV viewing Deloitte. Variety. https://bit.ly/3HqdlOH

Starosta, J.A., & Izydorczyk, B. (2020). Understanding the phenomenon of binge-watching-A systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(12), 4469. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17124469

Sun, J.J., & Chang, Y.J. (2021). Associations of problematic binge-watching with depression, social interaction anxiety, and loneliness. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(3), 1168. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18031168

Sung, Y.H., Kang, E.Y., & Lee, W.N. (2018). Why do we indulge? Exploring motivations for binge watching. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 62(3), 408-426. https://doi.org/10.1080/08838151.2018.1451851

Tukachinsky, R., & Eyal, K. (2018). The psychology of marathon television viewing: Antecedents and viewer involvement. Mass Communication and Society, 21(3), 275-295. https://doi.org/10.1080/15205436.2017.1422765

Umesh, S., & Bose, S. (2019). Binge-watching: A matter of concern? Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, 41(2), 182-184. https://doi.org/10.4103/IJPSYM.IJPSYM_279_18

Vaterlaus, J.M., Spruance, L.A., Frantz, K., & Kruger, J.S. (2019). College student television binge watching: Conceptualization, gratifications, and perceived consequences. The Social Science Journal, 56(4), 470-479. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soscij.2018.10.004

Walton-Pattison, E., Dombrowski, S.U., & Presseau, J. (2018). ‘Just one more episode’: Frequency and theoretical correlates of television binge watching. Journal of Health Psychology, 23(1), 17-24. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105316643379