Binge Watching and Underlying Motivations among Young Adults

Abstract

Binge watching has grown in popularity, particularly among millennials, due to the widespread availability of on-demand streaming services. It is defined as the consecutive viewing of multiple TV episodes at one’s convenience, enabled by internet-based platforms. A range of motivations can lead individuals to binge watch television content, including entertainment, relaxation, social interaction, escapism, and habit. The primary aim of this study was to examine how motivations for watching TV series are related to binge watching behaviours, with an additional focus on potential gender differences. The study targeted young adults aged 18 to 25 years and employed the Binge-Watching Engagement and Symptoms Questionnaire (BWESQ) and the Watching TV Series Motives Questionnaire (WTMSQ) to measure the relevant constructs. The findings indicated that TV series motivations were significantly and positively associated with binge watching behaviour. Specifically, coping/escapism and social motivations significantly predicted the frequency and intensity of binge watching. Gender differences were also examined, revealing no significant differences in binge watching behaviour overall, although females reported higher scores on emotional enhancement motivations compared to males. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the binge-watching phenomenon and may help identify potential risk factors associated with excessive viewing. Additionally, the results highlight how males and females may differ in their motivations for engaging with TV series, providing insight into gender-specific patterns of binge-watching behaviour.