The problem with binge-watching: Why binge-watching TV is not always best

There’s nothing better than the arrival of the new season of your favorite show, but these days, that looks a little different. Most shows today are specifically designed for online streaming, which allows fans to binge-watch the entire season the day it premieres. But binge-watching isn’t always best.

There are still many ways television networks can grab the attention of their viewing audience. Networks still air live sporting events and award shows and television sitcoms and dramas with writers that know how to get their audience to come back week-by-week.

However, online streaming and the art of binge-watching changes how we watch and experience scripted and reality television together.  As impatient as TV fans today may be, allowing fans to stream all episodes at once changes the way we experience television together. For starters, not everyone is available to sit down and enjoy a new show right away.

Binge-watching requires us to tip-toe around spoilers

What this creates is a world where we have to avoid spoilers online and in the real world. As a result, we’re stuck to discussing shows in the abstract. If you’re a casual viewer, this may not be a huge problem, but major plot points, twists, and reveals will still be spoiled. For committed fans, there’s nothing worse than spoilers!

Binge-watching alienates many people from engaging in the conversation if they aren’t able to watch a new episode immediately. The days of standing by the water cooler and discussing the latest episode of Seinfeld are long over. Now, “Must See TV” means “You Must See it Before People Stop Talking About It.”

And staying away from social media is easier said than done! Who can avoid Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and any other platform you may have? To find spoilers online, you don’t even have to be looking for them, they are waiting to sneak into your timeline, whether you want it or not.

Don’t get me wrong, I love binge-watching my favorite shows. I am luckily able to watch the show right away (if not ahead of time thanks to screeners) and can avoid spoilers for a day or so if I’m not able to. But this isn’t the case for everyone.

What do you think about binge-watching TV?