Assignment on Binge Watching

Running head: BINGE WATCHING
Binge Watching
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Abstract
The viewers of the modern television enjoy lot of extraordinary number of controls and choices,
which has resulted directly in the use of widespread technology and the services that are newly
available in the market. The cultivation of the landscape that is present with respect to new
television has helped in the rise of the phenomenon known as binge watching, which has resulted
in a popular conversation on the academic basis.; this study of research process has helped in
understanding the different perspective that is present in binge watching and the effect that it
creates on the viewers. Specifically, it is the study of the reception of the viewers towards the
shows that are shown on the television. The perspective of the uses and gratifications has helped
in the study, as it has been conducted with the help of 50 viewers, which has provided the
researcher a better response for the data. The viewers were asked the questions before and after
binge watching so that their responses could be collected in a mixed manner. This has helped the
study to be conducted in a proper manner.

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Acknowledgement
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my professor without whose, constant support
and guidance, the research would not have been possible.
Firstly, I would like to thank God the Almighty in giving me the strength and courage without
which I could not have completed the entire study. Secondly, I would like to thank my family
and relatives who gave me constant support mentally and physically so that I can complete the
study on time. Lastly, I would like to give thanks to my peers and the friends who have helped
me in providing the appropriate information throughout the project and helped me in doing the
in-depth analysis of the research. Without their proper guidance, it is impossible for me to
complete the project.
Thanks and Regards,
Yours Sincerely,

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Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction....................................................................................................................6
1.1 Background of the study........................................................................................................6
1.2 Research purpose...................................................................................................................8
1.3 Aims of the research..............................................................................................................8
1.4 Research objectives................................................................................................................9
1.5 Research questions.................................................................................................................9
1.6 Research Hypothesis..............................................................................................................9
Chapter 2: Literature Review.........................................................................................................10
2.1 Current television landscape................................................................................................10
2.2 Appointment television........................................................................................................11
2.3 Changing Viewing Habit:....................................................................................................13
2.4 Binge Television:.................................................................................................................17
2.5 Early Methods of Binge Watching:.....................................................................................18
Chapter 3: Research Methodology................................................................................................20
3.0 Introduction..........................................................................................................................20
3.1 Research Outline..................................................................................................................20
3.2 Research Onion....................................................................................................................21
3.3 Research Philosophy............................................................................................................21
3.3.1 Justification of selecting positivism philosophy...............................................................22

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3.4 Research Approach..............................................................................................................22
3.4.1 Justification of selecting deductive approach...................................................................23
3.5 Research Design..................................................................................................................23
3.5.1 Justification of selecting descriptive design.....................................................................23
3.6 Research Strategy................................................................................................................24
3.6.1 Justification of selecting survey research strategy............................................................24
3.7 Sampling Technique and Sampling Size.............................................................................24
3.7.1 Justification of selecting probability-sampling technique................................................25
3.8 Data Collection Technique..................................................................................................25
3.8.1 Justification of selecting primary data collection technique.............................................25
3.9 Data Analysis Technique.....................................................................................................26
3.9.1 Justification of selecting SPSS.........................................................................................26
3.10 Ethical Considerations.......................................................................................................26
3.11 Conclusion.........................................................................................................................26
Chapter 4: Findings and Analysis..................................................................................................27
Chapter 5: Conclusion and Recommendations..............................................................................45
5.1: Conclusion..........................................................................................................................45
5.2: Linking with the objectives................................................................................................45
5.3 Limitations for the research.................................................................................................47
5.4 Scope for future research.....................................................................................................47

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Reference List................................................................................................................................49
Appendix........................................................................................................................................52

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Chapter 1: Introduction
1.1 Background of the study
The viewers try to watch a single episode of the television series, which attracts them for
the whole season being aired on the same network channel. This is commonly known as binge
watching, as the viewers have been hooked to the show till the end of the episode. The fantasy
series such as ‘Game of Thrones’, comedy series like ‘Arrested Development’ and series that are
highly dramatic in nature such as ‘Breaking Bad’ have tried to attract the viewers so that they
can watch the entire series by getting attached to it. The viewers are basically drawn in to the
television series, as they cannot resist the happenings that will take place in the next episode.
According to the survey that was conducted in 2013 by MarketCast, it was seen that
around 67 percent of the television viewers who are between the age group of 13 to 49 in the
United States of America are in to binge watching. Another survey that was conducted on the
subscribers of TiVo reported that almost 91 percent of the individuals have a tendency of binge
watching, as a common behavior of the viewers. The figures that have been growing after that, as
the content on the television along with the use of the technology has helped the consumers in
availing the series easily. The services include Netflix, HBO Go, and Amazon Prime along with
others that are earning profits, as they provide the convenient services to the viewers of
television. The nature of binge watching is helping the people in transforming their methods of
watching television along with the changes that are being done in the economics of the industry
as well.
The concept of binge watching is recent and is growing in popularity due to which most
of the researchers are being interested in this subject. The topic has not been researched in a

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proper manner, as it is one of the modern techniques that are being adopted by the viewers on a
constant manner.
Binge watching is also known as marathon viewing, which is a recent phenomenon where
the viewers tend to view multiple episodes of the same series over a specific period of time.
These habits helped the viewers in watching the entire season of the specific series at their
convenience, which changed their behavior towards the viewing of television series. The
episodes can be watched on a continuous basis for the viewers are simple but groundbreaking, as
the viewers are hooked on to their televisions or mobiles for watching the entire series. The idea
of binge watching has helped the viewers in defying the styles of viewing that are traditional in
nature, as they are allotting a specific time and schedule in viewing their favorite series. The
consumers are now being empowered with a new choice that is under their control, which has
helped them in following the series according to their convenience.
Binge watch was used so commonly by the people that it was added in the Oxford
Dictionary in the year 2013, as it had create d a significant impact on the lives off the consumers.
The meaning that was put forward by the dictionary was that it had given the viewers
independence from the traditional methods of viewing such as one episode every week, which
helped in recognizing the change in the mainstream use of media. The term ‘binge’ is commonly
used to describe a period that is limited, which helps in indulging in an activity very frequently.
The term is mostly used in a negative manner, as it is regarded as indulgence of the individuals
in a guilty pleasure. The viewers of the television have reported that they have lost most of their
weekends due to the effect of binge watching but has reported that the method of spending
sleepless nights have never occurred to them. Additionally, most of the viewers who binge watch
on a regular manner has explained that the phenomenon is normal and is not inclusive of the