Since the birth of streaming services and the subsequent rapidity with which they have become mainstream, they\u2019ve ushered in an entirely novel way of watching TV and movies: binge watching.<\/p>\n
TV and movie fans, parents, teachers, and television producers themselves all foster a complicated relationship with binge watching. Since its inception, it has maintained widespread popularity, and it has produced widespread controversy.<\/p>\n
Regardless of where you stand on the issue, the rise of binge watching has completely altered the way that television shows are created and consumed, and made home theater seating as important for consuming short-form television as for feature-length movies. So if you\u2019re ready to find out the best ways to binge watch, read on.<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1541194196731{padding-top: 50px !important;padding-bottom: 50px !important;}” el_class=”.blogpostfont” max_width=”1000″]\n
The term \u201cbinge watching\u201d refers to watching many episodes in a row of a single television or movie series. Before streaming services entered the picture, binge watching typically only occurred when a network would run a marathon, or individuals purchased or rented seasons of TV shows or movies. <\/span><\/p>\n For the most part, binge watching was the exception and not the norm. It often required planning on the part of the viewer, and given the costs and energy required to make it happen, it was fairly rare.<\/span><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1541172467284{padding-top: 50px !important;padding-bottom: 50px !important;}” el_class=”.blogpostfont” max_width=”1000″]\n The early 2000s saw the climax (and then subsequent demise) of the DVD and VHS rental business model. <\/span>Fledgling Netflix<\/span> offered itself to Blockbuster for acquisition in 2000; Blockbuster declined. In 2004, Blockbuster launched an online platform for DVD rentals to compete with Netflix.<\/span><\/p>\n Then, in 2006, Amazon released videos on demand via their service Amazon Unbox. For the first time, consumers could watch what they wanted when they wanted, without the restraints of the traditional rental model. <\/span><\/p>\n In 2007, <\/span>Netflix announced its streaming service<\/span><\/a>, and the next year <\/span>Hulu entered the streaming market<\/span><\/a> as well. This changed everything. Consumers adopted streaming services over DVD rentals in droves. The ease of use, and the low subscription cost gave the service an unbeatable advantage over the cost and hassle of DVD rentals. <\/span><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1541172496834{padding-top: 50px !important;padding-bottom: 50px !important;}” el_class=”.blogpostfont” max_width=”1000″]\n Netflix has earned its status as the homeland for binge watchers because of multiple strategic moves it made to secure industry dominance. TV networks have traditionally broadcast marathons around holidays, with advertisements interjected between episodes. The subscription-based streaming model cut out advertisements and enabled users to pause TV shows, adding flexibility and control while cutting down significantly on the time investment required to get through serial programs.<\/span><\/p>\n Beyond the fact that binge watching is easy to do, Netflix has mastered creating content that virtually anyone will find binge worthy. <\/span><\/p>\n They\u2019re able to collect massive amounts of data about consumer viewing preferences. That allows them to offer full seasons immediately and they can create content that appeals to a diverse array of audiences, even those with tastes that are less mainstream. Thus, they\u2019ve managed to win the loyalty of an impressively diverse set of viewers.<\/span><\/p>\n Despite the fact that Netflix coined the term, they\u2019re now distancing themselves from it. <\/span>Netflix reportedly has told actors<\/span><\/a> in their originals not to use the term \u201cbinge watching\u201d when doing press. <\/span><\/p>\n Thus, even for the streaming giant, the phrase has lost some of its original luster.<\/span><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][image_with_animation image_url=”16579″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”Fade In” animation_easing=”default” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”center” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1541174873647{padding-top: 75px !important;padding-bottom: 50px !important;}” el_class=”.blogpostfont” max_width=”1000″]\n One survey found<\/span> that Netflix viewers typically watch between 2 to 6 shows in a single sitting. Additionally, <\/span>an internal study at Netflix found<\/span><\/a> that the majority of viewers would rather binge watch a show than take their time with it. Which means even those who struggle with the concept of binge watching, are binge watching.<\/span><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1541172542170{padding-top: 50px !important;padding-bottom: 50px !important;}” el_class=”.blogpostfont” max_width=”1000″]\n Watching the shows we love over and over again <\/span>produces dopamine in our brains<\/span><\/a>. Every episode we watch we receive a dopamine hit that communicates, \u201cThis feels good. Do it again!\u201d Thus, it\u2019s a legitimate way to experience pleasure.<\/span><\/p>\n Here are some tips to binge watch like a pro:<\/span><\/p>\n Download: <\/b>That\u2019s right, select titles on Netflix can be downloaded (during internet connectivity) on the app so that you can enjoy them wherever you and your tablet or phone find yourselves. <\/span><\/p>\n Sit comfortably: <\/b>To make sure you\u2019re physically comfortable the entire time you\u2019re binging, utilize <\/span>ergonomics in your home theater seating<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n Snack well: <\/b>A key element of binging without feeling awful afterwards, is to snack well. Pass on the chips and dip, and instead pick veggies with a greek yogurt ranch dip or fruit with a vanilla yogurt dip. <\/span><\/p>\n Skip the buffering: <\/b>Whether you\u2019re using Hulu or Netflix, you can take some steps to cut down on the amount of time you spend waiting for your video to buffer. It\u2019s important to make sure all background downloads are paused, and that you\u2019ve recently cleared your cache and cookies. Additionally, your internet speed, the popularity of the time you choose to stream, and the size of the buffer you allow to load before viewing matter. <\/span><\/p>\n Get help choosing: <\/b>There are <\/span>websites designed to help viewers choose<\/span><\/a> their new, binge worthy favorites, and there are ways <\/span>you can search genres and subgenres<\/span><\/a> in the interest of getting more tailored results. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][image_with_animation image_url=”16581″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”Fade In” animation_easing=”default” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”center” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1541172631274{padding-top: 50px !important;padding-bottom: 50px !important;}” el_class=”.blogpostfont” max_width=”1000″]\n It\u2019s important to note that there can be too much of a good thing, even when binge watching. And really, this is unlikely to come as a surprise. There\u2019s something about it that most of us intuitively recognize as problematic. <\/span><\/p>\n Indeed, <\/span>studies have shown<\/span> binge watching impacts our ability to sleep well, so much so that it can lead to insomnia and the plethora of issues that accompany it. This can include things like weakened immune systems and lower cognitive abilities. <\/span><\/p>\n Plus, a lot of sitting, <\/span>especially in non-ergonomic ways<\/span><\/a>, is not good for your health. <\/span>Epidemiologist Steven Blair \u2014 who studies the connection between physical activity and health \u2014 <\/span>told NPR<\/span><\/a> that people who sit more have less desirable levels of cholesterol, blood sugar, triglycerides, and waist size, and that increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease and a number of health problems.<\/span><\/p>\n Additionally, <\/span>studies have also demonstrated<\/span><\/a> that there is a connection between television viewing and mindless consumption of food. We get distracted by what we\u2019re watching and we keep eating, even if we\u2019re not actually hungry. <\/span><\/p>\n Not only that, there again, is the fact that Netflix itself is no longer using the term \u201cbinge watching\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n Former Netflix employee and current marketing and brand expert<\/span> Barry Enderwick wrote for Medium<\/span><\/a> that, since streaming has become so mainstream, the shift likely comes from a refocus on Netflix\u2019s part: quantity isn\u2019t novel anymore, and thus the emphasis needs to return to quality over quantity. <\/span><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][image_with_animation image_url=”16578″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”Fade In” animation_easing=”default” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”center” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1541172663496{padding-top: 50px !important;padding-bottom: 50px !important;}” el_class=”.blogpostfont” max_width=”1000″]\n Given the fact that there are now so many streaming options it can be difficult to decide where to start, and at worst it can be completely overwhelming. The vast majority of us have experienced the endless scrolling that often occurs when we finish binging one series and need to find a new show to take its place.<\/span><\/p>\n Below you\u2019ll find some tried and true staples that have kept audiences binging and re-binging.<\/span><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1541172762171{padding-top: 50px !important;padding-bottom: 50px !important;}” el_class=”.blogpostfont” max_width=”1000″]\n In its five year run \u201cBreaking Bad\u201d earned itself everything from Emmys and Golden Globes to Critic\u2019s Choice Awards and even a couple of Peabody\u2019s. The plot, featuring an unassuming science teacher who begins selling meth to pay for the bills brought on by his terminal cancer is engaging in and of itself, but paired with the actors who carry the story: it\u2019s dynamite. You can binge \u201cBreaking Bad\u201d to your heart\u2019s content on Netflix. <\/span><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1541167316786{padding-top: 50px !important;padding-bottom: 50px !important;}”]\n For lovers of mockumentaries, \u201cDocumentary Now\u201d parodies some of the best-loved documentaries and well-established documentary film styles. It is the brainchild of some of comedy\u2019s leading men including: <\/span>Fred Armisen, Bill Hader and Seth Meyers of \u201cSaturday Night Live\u201d. It is often weird, and always hilarious. For your binge-worthy dose of comic relief, look for \u201cDocumentary Now\u201d on Netflix.<\/span><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1541172819460{padding-top: 50px !important;padding-bottom: 50px !important;}” el_class=”.blogpostfont” max_width=”1000″]\n Cillian Murphy is arguably one of the present day\u2019s most underrated actors, and Murphy does his best work leading the \u201cPeaky Blinders\u201d. The Peaky Blinders are a street gang located in Birmingham, England between the first and second world wars. This show has received many, well-deserved nods for its cinematography. Their pursuit of power and wealth lay the groundwork for a show that\u2019s difficult to hit <\/span>pause<\/span><\/i> on. Thankfully, every season is on Netflix.<\/span><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1541172834302{padding-top: 50px !important;padding-bottom: 50px !important;}” el_class=”.blogpostfont” max_width=”1000″]\n While \u201cSeinfeld\u201d self-dubbed itself \u201cA show about nothing\u201d, it is one of the most influential sitcoms of all time. The impact its nine seasons had on 90\u2019s culture is still reverberating through modern society twenty years later. In fact, publications from Entertainment Weekly to The Rolling Stones have hailed it one of the best TV shows of all time. Hulu is home to every season, allowing its legacy to continue on.<\/span><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1541172877657{padding-top: 75px !important;padding-bottom: 50px !important;}” el_class=”.blogpostfont” max_width=”1000″]\n If you’re ready to commit to some serious next-level binge-watching, then skip the TV series and go straight for some of Hollywood\u2019s best franchises. There\u2019s nothing quite like deciding to watch a movie series from start to finish. It\u2019s a surefire way to get the most entertainment out of your day \u2014 and probably your night as well \u2014 and to become closely acquainted with films you otherwise would never know so well. <\/span><\/p>\n Unfortunately, none of the popular streaming services offer unlimited access to any of these full series. Nonetheless, they can be rented via streaming platforms like Amazon Prime and YouTube. <\/span><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1541172889734{padding-top: 50px !important;padding-bottom: 50px !important;}” el_class=”.blogpostfont” max_width=”1000″]\n We would forfeit all credibility if Star Wars was not included on our list. The original series began in the late 1970s and continued on through the 80\u2019s. All first eight films were nominated for Academy Awards, and the films are the second highest grossing series of all time. There have been multiple theatrical series spin-offs through the years and for good reason, Star Wars is a pop culture phenomenon.<\/span><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1541172943201{padding-top: 50px !important;padding-bottom: 50px !important;}” el_class=”.blogpostfont” max_width=”1000″]\n The Jason Bourne series, starring Matt Damon, is action of a different breed. When Bourne, a CIA assassin, loses his memory, there\u2019s hell to pay for the people responsible. The Bourne movies are based on three novels by Doug Liman, and all are notable for their use of real stunt work. Later, in 2012 there was an addition to the series starring Jeremy Renner, and in 2016 Damon came back for the fifth installment.<\/span><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1541172971163{padding-top: 50px !important;padding-bottom: 50px !important;}” el_class=”.blogpostfont” max_width=”1000″]\n Based on the beloved fantasy novels, the Harry Potter franchise stretches the seven novels into eight films. While the books and films alike are certainly geared towards the young adult audience, the magic of the content makes it worthy for viewers of any age. However, it should be noted that the films grow darker and more mature alongside their audiences. All of them were received well by critics and audiences alike. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1541172995365{padding-top: 50px !important;padding-bottom: 50px !important;}” el_class=”.blogpostfont” max_width=”1000″]\n A theme park populated by once extinct dinosaurs? What could possibly go wrong? To the delight of fans everywhere: pretty much everything. In \u201893, \u201897, and \u201801 the first three in the series were released. Then in 2015 the fourth movie was released and became the first film to gross over $500 million during its opening weekend. The fifth was also a hit, and a sixth is slated for a 2021 release.<\/span><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1541173035167{padding-top: 50px !important;padding-bottom: 50px !important;}” el_class=”.blogpostfont” max_width=”1000″]\n The Lord of the Rings film series is based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s novels of the same name. While a movie could never convey every notable plot point from novels as dense and clever as Tolkien\u2019s, these films come commendably close. Each film in the series had a long production time and an impressive budget, and it paid off. The films were loved by both critics and audiences and brought in massive financial profits and many award nominations. You can get swept along in an adventure to Middle Earth without ever leaving your home theater.<\/span><\/p>\n There you have it: a crash course in all things binge watching! It\u2019s a trend that has completely changed the way we consume shows and movies. It\u2019s also shifted the way shows are written and produced, given the fact their makers understand that they\u2019ll likely be watched via binge watching. <\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s likely that this trend isn\u2019t going anywhere in the near future, and thus there\u2019s value in understanding how it can impact you so that all your future binging is fun, safe, and comfortable.<\/span><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”100″ text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” class=”bottom-link-list” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_phone=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_custom_heading text=”Theater Seating” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text el_class=”.blogpostfont”]\n [vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” centered_text=”true” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none”…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":16584,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4838],"tags":[],"yst_prominent_words":[1567,1591,1524,1547,1620,74,73,1660,1571,1652,89,1681,1621,1526,1568,1566,80,1569,1478],"class_list":{"0":"post-16570","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-movies-and-tv"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/octaneseating.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16570","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/octaneseating.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/octaneseating.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/octaneseating.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/octaneseating.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16570"}],"version-history":[{"count":26,"href":"https:\/\/octaneseating.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16570\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19515,"href":"https:\/\/octaneseating.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16570\/revisions\/19515"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/octaneseating.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16584"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/octaneseating.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16570"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/octaneseating.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16570"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/octaneseating.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16570"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/octaneseating.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=16570"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Streaming Services<\/h1>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text el_class=”.blogpostfont” max_width=”1000″]\n
The First Netflix Binge<\/h1>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text el_class=”.blogpostfont” max_width=”1000″]\n
Binge Watching Survival: Tips and Tricks to Upgrade Your Bingeing Habits<\/span><\/h1>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text el_class=”.blogpostfont” max_width=”1000″]\n
Benefits of Binge Watching<\/span><\/h1>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text el_class=”.blogpostfont” max_width=”1000″]\n
\n<\/b>Flix Assist: <\/b>The Chrome extension Flix Assist prevents Netflix from judgmentally asking you if you\u2019re still watching.<\/span><\/p>\nRisks and Downsides to Binge Watching<\/span><\/h1>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text el_class=”.blogpostfont” max_width=”1000″ css=”.vc_custom_1651779131499{padding-bottom: 50px !important;}”]\n
Best TV Shows to Binge Watch<\/span><\/h1>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text el_class=”.blogpostfont” max_width=”1000″]\n
\u201cBreaking Bad\u201d<\/span><\/h2>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text el_class=”.blogpostfont” max_width=”1000″]\n
\u201cDocumentary Now\u201d<\/span><\/h2>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text el_class=”.blogpostfont” max_width=”1000″]\n
\u201cPeaky Blinders\u201d<\/span><\/h2>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text el_class=”.blogpostfont” max_width=”1000″]\n
\u201cSeinfeld\u201d<\/span><\/h2>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text el_class=”.blogpostfont” max_width=”1000″]\n
Best Movie Series to Binge Watch<\/span><\/h1>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text el_class=”.blogpostfont” max_width=”1000″]\n
Star Wars<\/span><\/h2>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text el_class=”.blogpostfont” max_width=”1000″]\n
Bourne<\/span><\/h2>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text el_class=”.blogpostfont” max_width=”1000″]\n
Harry Potter<\/span><\/h2>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text el_class=”.blogpostfont” max_width=”1000″]\n
Jurassic Park<\/span><\/h2>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text el_class=”.blogpostfont” max_width=”1000″]\n
The Lord of the Rings<\/span><\/h2>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text el_class=”.blogpostfont” max_width=”1000″]\n
\n
\n
\n