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Binge-watching tops summer activities

August 26, 2015

Streaming of TV shows is replacing traditional summer activities such as reading, cinema trips, board games and dozing in the sun according to a study from Miner & Co. Studio.

Nearly 9 in 10 revealed to Miner & Co they are binge-watching and/or plan to binge-watch the shows they’re streaming this summer – and that friends and family are binge-watching as well.

  • 87 per cent are watching or plan to watch 3 or more episodes of a series in one viewing while vacationing this summer
  • 76 per cent of streamers agree that “binge-watching shows is now a common occurrence for [their] friends/family and [them] while on vacation”

Netflix and YouTube continue to rule when it comes to streaming
Netflix and YouTube are the favourites when it comes to streaming content, with 9 in 10 streamers using these services to stream this summer, followed by network websites at 77 per cent.  A significantly greater number say they’re using Netflix and YouTube more often this summer compared to other streaming services.

  • 90 per cent are using Netflix and 93 per cent are using YouTube to stream this summer

  • 59 per cent are using Netflix MORE often than previous summers/ vacations

  • 46 per cent are using YouTube MORE often than previous summers/ vacations

  • 65 per cent say they’ve “increased/ added streaming subscriptions (e.g., Netflix, Hulu+, Amazon Prime Instant Video, etc.) compared to previous summers/vacations”

Streaming trumps cable/satellite as the more enjoyable experience
With this much summer streaming happening only 1 in 2 say they are also consuming video content through cable or satellite while on vacation this summer and 1 in 4 watching less cable/satellite specifically because they’re streaming more.  So why is streaming preferred over cable/satellite? They say it’s more enjoyable. More than half of streamers see it as a way to keep themselves entertained and 86 per cent agree that “streaming has made summer TV viewing more enjoyable than previous summers/vacations” and, now that they’ve found their groove, they plan to stream more when they’re back home.

  • 86 per cent say that “streaming has made summer TV viewing more enjoyable than previous summers/vacations”

  • Only 1 in 2 streamers are also using cable or satellite TV to watch their shows/series on vacation this summer

  • 1 in 4 say “[They] are watching less cable/satellite TV than previous summers because [they’re] watching more shows via streaming services”

Summer streaming is changing their vacation rituals…
Vacation rituals are changing in some expected and unexpected ways.  While vacation time used to mean dozing with a book and going to bed early, they’re staying up later because they’re streaming shows.  And they’re spending less time playing board games and going to the movies less frequently than previous summer vacations.

They’re streaming more frequently and in the spots where they used to read a book
Inside the home, relaxing on the porch, lounging in the yard or out by the beach and lake, most are streaming is the places (and at the times) where they used to read.

  • 62 per cent say they are “streaming shows/series during times [they] used to be reading”

  • 64 per cent say they are “streaming shows/series in places [they] used to read (e.g., the porch, on the deck, in the yard, etc.)”

  • Among those who are going to the beach or lake for their vacation, 1 in 3  are streaming at the beach or by lake

Staying up later because they’re streaming

  • 83 per cent agree with the statement “I am sometimes staying up later/going to bed later than previous summers/vacations because I am streaming shows/series”

  • 66 per cent agree with the statement “I have slept in a few mornings vacationing / this summer because I was streaming shows/series the
    night before”

Less traditional play

  • 54 per cent agree with the statement “We are playing fewer board games because we can stream shows/series”

  • More than half say that “sometimes when I tell my kids to ‘go out and play’, they’ll take the tablet/smartphone outside to stream shows/series”

 
Fewer family trips to the movies

  • And 65 per cent agree with the statement “I am going to the movies less frequently because I can stream most of the shows/series I want to watch”

They report that vacation streaming has a number of benefits…
They report greater engagement talking with friends / family about the shows they’re streaming than they have discussing books. Streaming time with friends and family is seen as quality time and they’re finding more ‘me time’ too.  They’re spending less time out in the sun and experiencing fewer squabbles and fights (especially among their kids) because of the freedom to watch what they want, where and when they want and on the device they want.

The benefits…

  • 75 per cent agree with the statement “My friends / family and I are talking more about the shows/series we are streaming than the books we are reading”

  • 79 per cent agree with the statement “Shows that we stream are a topic of conversation on vacation with my friends/family”

  • 65 per cent agree with the statement “I am spending more quality time with friends/family because we are getting together to stream and watch shows/series”

More “me time”

  • 90 per cent agree with the statement “Streaming shows/series gives me a sense of ‘me-time’ where I can relax and decompress from other pressures”

  • 59 per cent agree with the statement “I am spending less time in the sun because I can stream shows/series”

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