The COVID Binge: A Cross Sectional Survey Examining Binge-Watching Behaviour during the COVID-19 Pandemic

by Isaac Cull

Abstract: Binge-watching television series’ is a sedentary behaviour that may have health implications. This study examines possible changes in binge-watching behaviour before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. An international cross-sectional survey was conducted online measuring self-reported binge-watching, sleep, physical activity, and overall sedentary behaviour across three time periods: one month before the COVID-19 pandemic; during the first month of the COVID-19 pandemic; and currently. Of the initial 707 responders, 385 participants provided complete responses that were included in the analysis. Participants were 28.0 (SD=11.5) years old; 76% were female. Before the pandemic, participants binge watched an average of 1.87 (SD=1.86) days per week for 259.05 (SD=344.33) minutes which significantly increased to 3.58 (SD=2.19) days per week for 781.97 (SD=746.20) minutes during the first month of the pandemic (ps<0.05). Currently, participants reported binge-watching an average of 3.26 (SD=2.17) days per week for 625.75 (SD=654.15). Binge-watching increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, with time spent binge-watching more than doubling during the height of the pandemic. Since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, binge-watching has decreased, but currently remains more than double the time spent binge-watching before the start of the pandemic.