If Netflix revolutionized our consumption of television in the past decade, with streaming services dominating the way we consume media, binge-watching has become the new regular. What began as a method to catch a few episodes at a time soon became a culture and a global phenomenon that fundamentally changed the way television is produced and distributed, and how it is consumed. No more waiting for weekly episodes (or hoping to catch a show at a particular time). With Netflix, viewers can now watch entire seasons, or even entire series, at once. Binge-watching itself ensured that the way an audience interacted with content evolved. Unencumbered by schedules, viewers can watch shows when they want, on their terms, pausing and rewatching whatever they like. This shift is especially significant in reality television.

Reality TV traditionally aired in a more episodic format, with certain weeks building anticipation for the next. But now, with Netflix, we have a whole new dynamic. Makeovers, romances and home-buying reality shows such as The Circle, At Home With The Furys and Selling Sunset are now releasing the whole seasons at once – so audiences can chug through an entire season all at once, or within a few days. In an age when streaming has made binge-watching a cultural norm, and viewers at home can see 100 different shows at the click of a button, this strategy preys on our thirst for immediacy.

The thrill of cliffhangers is replaced by the enjoyment of being able to binge a show from start to finish, which helps viewers more directly align with characters, plotlines, and conflicts. This also alters how reality TV is made. Binge-watching shows often have so much more velocity, with every episode designed to end on a note that defies the viewer’s will to stop. Reality TV on Netflix also plays to a more international audience. That gives shows like The Circle or Real Housewifes if Beverly Hills an international footprint, and a chance to be noticed not only in the U.S., but throughout Europe, Asia and Latin America. This international audience all have the experience of watching it in one go and can talk about it online and engage in fan theories and memes, which helps expand the show’s footprint. The sheer power to stream reality TV in a single uninterrupted drip enables these shows to cross time zones and cultural frontiers.

Netflix reality TV shows are often closely linked to conversations on social media. Fans of series like Selling Sunset or The Great British Bake Off frequently share comments, reactions and memes on X (Twitter), Instagram and TikTok. With all episodes available at once, fans can binge, discuss, and share content in real-time, creating a sense of community around a show. Even the conversations that take place online can reach a tipping point (a.k.a. buzz), leading to the popularity of the show itself as word-of-mouth builds with each passing episode, and more and more viewers tune in to join the conversation. 

Watching Netflix on the binge also alters our relationship to the contestants and stars of reality shows. With viewers capable of bingeing an entire season, they feel more invested in the contestants, learning about their lives, motivations and backstories all at once. Which, in turn, leads to a more direct emotional connection — audiences don’t need to wait over months to familiarize themselves with someone; they can develop opinions and relationships in real time. The binge-watching phenomenon has changed the way we experience reality TV, reshaping it into an immersive, nonstop affair that promotes deeper engagement and inspires world-spanning discussions. 

Post By: Elizaveta Vorobyeva 33768066

Mareike Jenner, “Is this TVIV? On Netflix, TVIII and binge-watching”, New Media and  Society, Feb 2016, 18 (2): 257-273