Why Do We Watch So Much TV?

 

In keeping with the hobby theme this month, I would like to dive a little deeper into the hobby or "leisure activity" that Americans probably spend the most time on - watching television.  According to the 2022 Bureau of Labor Statistics, Americans 15 and over spend an average of about 2.8 hours a day watching TV.  This tends to increase the older we get. 

 

Why Do People Watch TV? 

Americans on average watch a lot of TV. We do so for a variety of reasons: 

• It's very accessible 
• To relax and unwind 
• To be entertained 
• It's addictive 
• To bond with fellow enthusiasts 
• To keep up with trends and cultural phenomenon 
• To learn new things 
• For company (especially older adults who live alone) 
• Escapism 

Too Much of a Good Thing 

A little TV watching can be fun, relaxing, and even educational.  But too much can be a waste of our time or worse.  Dan Western's article, 10 Reasons to Stop Watching Television Immediately provides some food for thought: 

1. Watching too much TV is wasting time – so many other things you could be doing 
2. TV provides unrealistic expectations – TV is not real life 
3. TV puts your health at risk – link to obesity 
4. TV degrades your discipline – less likely to get things done 
5. TV programs negativity into your mind – the worst of the worst is put on TV 
6. TV has an influence on your spending habits – visual ads are everywhere and insidious 
7. TV can make you less satisfied in life – materialism goes up, gratitude degrades 
8. TV causes you to become less social – it doesn't take two to watch TV 
9. TV can wrongly alter your beliefs – TV is powerful 
10. How many Lamborghini adverts do you see on TV? – none, those that can afford one aren't sitting around watching TV 

How Have Viewing Habits Changed? 

These days "watching television" is no longer limited to sitting on the couch in front of a television watching pre-programed broadcast TV. With the rising popularity of streaming services, you can now watch TV on multiple devices, anywhere, anytime. 90% of young people 18-24 don't even watch broadcast TV today. But those aged 65+ spend about a third of their day (6 hours) doing so. (How TV Viewing Habits Have Changed) 

 

Why Do We Binge-Watch?  

Streaming has also given rise to binge-watching and serial viewing.  Viewers (mostly younger) can now watch a chosen series all at once in a day(s) long marathon if they want to.  This instant gratification style is convenient and feeds our human need for resolution.  But experts say we will appreciate the show more if we spread the viewing out a little.  It’s also healthier to limit our TV viewing to no more than 2 hours a day.   

 

But that takes discipline.  And cliffhangers don't make it easy.  It’s like an addiction.  We tell ourselves we are just going to watch the beginning of the next episode to see how the cliffhanger ends, and then we'll shut it off.  Yeah right. By that time we are already sucked into the next plot point. Besides, it feels good and we want to keep that going. Ignoring the crash we know is coming. 

 

Comfort TV 

Our favorite shows that we watch over and over again are a form of “comfort TV”. We know from experience they are good and will make us feel better.  They provide escapism when our real world gets a little too real.  They may remind us of a better time in our lives.  They tend to have characters we like and identify with and could see ourselves being friends with. In fact, the connection may be so strong that our TV relationships take the place of real relationships. They are certainly easier and less demanding than our real ones. 

 

What Does Our Comfort Show Say About Us?  

Rewatching 'Gilmore Girls' or 'The West Wing'? Here's what your comfort show says about you: 

• True Crime – voyeurism, safely explore the dark side of humanity 
• Ensemble Cast (e.g. Suits, Breaking Bad, The West Wing) – a desire to pick up something missed the first time; makes us think about things like right and wrong 
• Comedies (e.g. Seinfeld, Schitt's Creek, The Simpsons) – brings out our inner kid; discovering the joke again 
• Reality TV – satisfies our natural curiosity about others; watch the rich and famous fall on their faces, which makes us feel better about ourselves  

Personal Preferences 

In the last few years I have rediscovered TV shows after about a 20 year break.  I'm finally watching popular shows from 20 years ago like "Breaking Bad" and "The Wire".  My latest is "The West Wing". I alternate with more current TV shows like "Slow Horses", "The Crown", "Stranger Things", "Young Sheldon", and "The Last of Us".   

 

Since some shows grow on me, I usually try to watch at least a few episodes of a new show before deciding if I like it or not.  But if it doesn't grab me by then, I either fast forward to the end, or move on to the next show. I’m one of those annoying people who has to finish whatever I start. How long do you give a show before you move on? 

 

As for comfort shows, I don't rewatch a lot of TV these days.  There are so many new shows I want to watch.  That said, "Seinfeld" is still my favorite TV show of all time and I sometimes like to rewatch it.  Also, the really old classics I grew up with, such as "The Mary Tyler Moore Show", "Barney Miller", and "The Carol Burnett Show".  Maybe "The Brady Bunch", if I’m feeling really stressed. 

 

Do you have any favorite shows to recommend?  Any you watch over and over again?