Blinkbox said its recent online survey shows the extent of Brits’ box set obsession.
Addictive shows like Breaking Bad have crept into the bedroom, with 41% of those watching box sets watching them here.
Almost two-thirds (61%) of Brits feel compelled to watch more than one episode of a new favourite show at a time with 33% of box set watchers reporting that they are likely to get less sleep when hooked on a box set.
Blinkbox commissioned the survey to celebrate Try TV on Us, an initiative offering TV fans the chance to sample episodes of hit shows before committing to buy a whole series. The appeal of such shows is strong, with 29% claiming they stay in more when hooked. One in six (17%) are likely to make up an excuse to stay in and watch a box set rather than go out.
Fear of missing out (FOMO) is very real when it comes to home entertainment, with almost a quarter (23%) saying they feel ‘out of the loop’ if they have not seen a box set friends and family are talking about.
Over one in 10 (13%) can sometimes feel pressured to watch a TV box set that colleagues are watching. At home, one in five (23%) say they can sometimes feel pressured to watch the TV box set their partner is into.
And nearly one in five (18%) are likely to have a row with a friend or partner who has revealed details of an upcoming plot they haven’t yet seen.
When it comes to where we are watching, eight out of 10 (80%) have enjoyed their box set fix in the living room. But some Brits seek TV watching solace in more unusual places, with 2% of box set watchers admitting to have gotten a fix of their favourite box set on the toilet.
The survey also revealed:
17% would be likely to make an excuse to stay in to watch a box set rather than see family or friends. 33% get less sleep when hooked on a box set.
More than one in five (21%) said that when hooked they would rather watch a box set than have sex.
Almost a third (29%) of women surveyed said they’d rather skip bedroom action in favour of a box while 14% of men said that watching a box set was more appealing
More than one in ten (11%) are likely to claim to have watched a box set to friends and family when they haven’t.
Almost one in ten (9%) of men are likely to hide a box set from a partner so they can watch alone.
More than one in five (21%) said that comments on social media help them decide which box sets to watch.
More than one in five (22%) avoid social media sites when following a TV box set so not to see any spoilers.
Almost two-thirds (61%) of the public feel compelled to watch more than one episode of a box set in a sitting.
All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. The total sample size was 2083 adults of which 1184 ever watch box sets.
