Human’s Love Freedom of Choice

One of the main reasons for Netflix’s ever-growing popularity is their use of ‘Binge – watching‘. Binge watching is a concept that in very recent media History has become a worldwide phenomena. It tackles the notion of an individual watching a series, or show, or reality show from start to finish in a short and continuous period of time.

“Netflix, thus builds on models of individualised viewing practices and self-scheduling of TV (…) the blurring of lines between production, distribution and exhibition may only be a logical consequence of a marketplace that panders to consumer who like consumer habits and identity construction” (Jenner, 2016, 269). As highlighted by Jenner, the model Netflix built in order to give their users the ability to create their own viewing schedule created a sense of independence, a feeling of freedom of choice, something us humans love.

The reason for which I am discussing this is because it is clear that this is one of the main motives for which Netflix is so successful. They played upon the factor that TV shows were scheduled on specific days at specific times, and people had to adjust their schedule in order to fit their viewing of their favourite show, of which in many cases can be considered ‘uncomfortable’.

On the contrary, this can be considered an unhealthy solution for viewers, as people do use a lot of their time stuck on their screens wasting time as they are addicted to the ability to just consistently have the next episode there ready for them.

But then again, it makes Netflix a lot of money and brings them a lot of success.

• Alessandro A. Conzonato

Bibliography

Mareike Jenner, 2016, “Is this TVIV? On Netflix, TVIII and binge-watching”, New Media and  Society