Seven years after binge-watching evolved from niche behavior to ubiquitous viewing practice, scholars continue to struggle to find a comprehensive definition (Merikivi, et al., 2019). In general, binge-watching has been described as the consecutive viewing of multiple episodes of the same program, often with the goal of completing the series (Pittman & Sheehan, 2015; Steiner & Xu 2018). Pierce-Grove (2017) articulates how journalists use both quantity of time and the quantity of episodes to capture the practice’s meaning, indicating the challenges of using 20th century TV units to codify a 21st century video practice. Because of its association with streaming platforms, such as Netflix, which disrupt the norms and flow of appointment viewing, live television remains outside the definition of binge-watching (Pittman & Steiner, 2019). However, networks are increasingly using the term to promote consumption of sports tournaments such as March Madness and the World Cup (Comcast, 2018; Warner, 2019). This paper examines how younger viewers conceptualize their consumption of these events. Sixteen open-ended, semi-structured interviews were conducted among college students (age: 18-23). The interviews reveal that while younger viewers do distinguish “traditional binge-watching” (non-live content) from extensive viewing of the World Cup and NCAA tournament, their viewing habits, motives, and technologies for doing so align with current binge-watching definitions – multi-episodic consumption across platforms seeking narrative completion and cultural inclusion. Furthermore, they frequently described their viewing of these tournaments as “binges” or “general binging” in opposition to “classic binge-watching.” Most acknowledged no distinction other than flow control and vernacular. These findings indicate that the broad use of binge-watching in contemporary media has potentially stretched the term beyond the possibility of a comprehensive definition. Therefore, rather than researching it as a singular practice, scholars may be better served by exploring binge-watching’s various subtypes as way to understand contemporary viewing.
About the presenterEmil Steiner
Dr. Steiner is an assistant professor of journalism at Rowan University where he serves as coordinator of the Sports Communication and Media program. Prior to entering the academy, he worked as reporter and editor at The Washington Post and was a member of the newsroom awarded the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Reporting. His research explores how technology disrupts sports and entertainment for viewers and reporters.