Over the years there have been numerous debates as to whether Netflix has become an advantageous manner for people to spend their time. Indeed, one may argue that Netflix’s larger audience in particular has created such a world in which dozens of its viewers can interact over the same film and TV shows across the globe. They each have something in common and are capable of holding a more prolonged discussion. Netflix has an extensive array of programming that covers a wide range of race, gender, sexuality, and other attributes, and so this is why we can see how it has become “one of the world’s leading entertainment services with over 247 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, films and games across a wide variety of genres and languages” (Netflix Inc., 2022).

One of the many shows that has incorporated this idea is the original series “Money Heist”, which has become extremely popular around the world. Money Heist can be watched in a variety of places and languages. “The show’s top market over the last week was India, followed by the United States and then Spain,” according to Parrot Analytics. “Money Heist” illustrates how vital international markets are for streaming services looking to gain subscriptions, with India in particular being critical as Netflix attempts to expand its global footprint” (8 September 2021).

As a result, we can easily determine how binge-watching has had an impact on Netflix’s users around the world. Indeed, “If binge-watching is not only the viewing of more than one episode in one sitting, but also about viewers executing autonomy over the schedule, it is technology which enables this to happen” (Jenner, 2018). Given the implications of binge-watching, we are able to assume that a large number of people are watching the same shows and that people all over the world are having conversations regarding shows with which they can relate in their own language and ways of living, as well as bringing people some joy, laughter, closeness, and connection.

By George Lambert

Bibliography:

Inc, N. (2022) Company profile, Netflix. Available at: https://ir.netflix.net/ir-overview/profile/default.aspx (Accessed: 17 November 2023).

Money Heist. 2019. Directed by A. Pina. Spain: Atresmedia and Vancouver Media.

Jenner, M. (2018) ‘“Introduction: Netflix and the Renvention of Television” and “Introduction: Binge Watching Netflix”’, in M. Jenner (ed.) Netflix and the Re-invention of Television. Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 1-39-109–118.