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Netflix identifies ‘Binge Racer’

October 18, 2017

A new type of fan has emerged on Netflix, and they’re racing to be the first to finish shows such as Stranger Things, House of Cards, Fuller House and more. According to Netflix, streaming fast is a new status symbol.

Netflix suggests that it has changed the way the world engages with stories – viewers watch when, where and how they want, at whatever pace – and in doing so, has given rise to a new kind of fan: the Binge Racer. Accomplishing in a day what takes others weeks to achieve, Binge Racers strive to be the first to finish by speeding through an entire season within 24 hours of its release.

In total, 8.4 million members have chosen to Binge Race during their Netflix tenure, and the only thing faster than their rate of watching is the rate this behaviour continues to grow. Between 2013 and 2016 the amount of launch day finishers increased more than 20 times over.

“There’s a unique satisfaction that comes from being the first to finish a story — whether it’s the final page of a book or the last, climactic moments of your favourite TV show,” said Brian Wright, Vice President, Original Series. “Netflix allows you to watch in a way you never could before, and there’s nothing better than seeing a show engage our members and ignite a passion for viewing.”

Whether for the love of one show (five members in the US have raced through all five seasons of House of Cards the day they were released) or the love of many shows (a member in France has already raced through 30 shows this year alone), viewers are embracing this new form of fandom the world over.

Shows of all shapes, sizes, genres and formats are revving watchers engines. Thirty-minute comedies such as Master of None, GLOW and Dear White People are raced with speed, but hour-long thrillers, such as Stranger Things, House of Cards and Orange is the New Black, and anime, such as The Seven Deadly Sins, are consumed with fervour as well.

Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life garnered the most global racers in its 24 hour. But the top spot varies slightly by country: Fuller House reigns supreme in Ecuador, Club de Cuervos scored the no. 1 slot in Mexico, and Marvel’s The Defenders tops Korea.

While Binge Racers are watching fast in pursuit of glory across the globe, Canada clocks in with the highest percentage of 24 hour finishers. Their binge of choice? None other than national treasure Trailer Park Boys.

Binge Racers are defined as members who completed a season of a TV show within 24 hours of its release on Netflix. Data accommodates for time zones and is reflective of a show’s launch within 24 hours of a country’s release.

Total number of members since 2012 who have finished a season of a TV show within 24 hours of its release

Binge Racing behaviour grew from 200,000 members in 2013 to more than 5 million in 2017 (as of September 2017)

Top shows were identified as those with the largest number of Binge Racers globally. Binge Racing ranking has no relation to overall viewership.

Top countries were identified as those with the highest percentage of members who are Binge Racers. Binge Race ranking has no relation to overall country membership.

Top 20 Binge Raced Shows

  1. Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life
  2. Fuller House
  3. Marvel’s The Defenders
  4. The Seven Deadly Sins
  5. The Ranch
  6. Santa Clarita Diet
  7. Trailer Park Boys
  8. F is for Family
  9. Orange Is the New Black
  10. Stranger Things
  11. Friends from College
  12. Atypical
  13. Grace and Frankie
  14. Wet Hot American Summer
  15. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
  16. House of Cards
  17. Love
  18. GLOW
  19. Chewing Gum
  20. Master of None

Top 20 Binge Racing Countries

  1. Canada
  2. United States
  3. Denmark
  4. Finland
  5. Norway
  6. Germany
  7. Mexico
  8. Australia
  9. Sweden
  10. Brazil
  11. Ireland
  12. United Kingdom
  13. France
  14. New Zealand
  15. Peru
  16. Netherlands
  17. Chile
  18. Portugal
  19. Italy
  20. United Arab Emirates

 

 

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