Go Long or Go Often: Influences on Binge Watching Frequency and Duration among College Students

Kelly Merrill Jr,Bridget Rubenking

doi:10.3390/socsci8010010

Kelly Merrill Jr, Bridget Rubenking

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci8010010

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Abstract

Binge watching, or serial viewing of a single program over an extended period of time, is a relatively new norm in television viewing that is becoming more popular than traditional appointment viewing. Previous research has explored various influences on binge watching; however, the current research is unique in exploring theoretically and empirically grounded predictors of both binge watching frequency and duration of binge watching sessions by means of a survey administered to college undergraduates (N = 651). Data show that binge watching frequency and duration are predicted by two non-overlapping sets of variables. Binge watching frequency was predicted by low self-regulation, greater tendency to use binge watching as both a reward and a form of procrastination, and less regret; while binge watching duration was associated with being female and experiencing greater enjoyment while binging. Self-control did not predict either binge watching frequency or duration, suggesting that alternative theoretical models should be explored. Findings also suggest that scholars should reconceptualize binge watching by including both frequency and duration measures in future studies.

Highlights

Binge watching, or serial viewing of a single program over an extended period of time (Rubenking et al 2018), is a common act among college students
The hypotheses posited the influence of self-regulation, self-control, enjoyment, reward watching, procrastination, and regret on binge watching frequency and duration
The trait individual differences of self-regulation and self-control were added in the second block

Summary

Introduction

Serial viewing of a single program over an extended period of time (Rubenking et al 2018), is a common act among college students. Are college students binge watching frequently, and for long periods of time, which sparks numerous applied and theoretical questions. Binge watching demands an individual to spend a lot of time watching television content (Petersen 2016). This is due to the requirement of watching multiple episodes of a series in succession. A lack of self-control might cause individuals to continue watching, as they may have a hard time ending their binge watching experience (Matrix 2014)

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