Behind the Binge: The Hidden Motivations Powering Our Streaming Obsession

Binge watching is consuming multiple episodes of series or content in one sitting. It has become a leisure activity and in the comfort of home, made it a cozy experience for viewers especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lockdowns and isolations resulted in more time at hand for selfcare and me time. It has emerged as a prevalent behavior, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The extended lockdowns and social isolation led audience binge watch content so they are informed, entertained and connected. The study aims to provide insights of the factors and motivations influencing binge watching behavior. A quantitative research methodology was applied, utilizing a structured survey with a randomly selected sample of 450 participants. Results reveal that young adults are the primary binge-watchers with Netflix being the most preferred platform. The findings indicate that relaxation, escapism and social engagement are the primary drivers of binge-watching, while adverse effects include guilt, disrupted sleep patterns and reduced productivity. The study suggests that while binge-watching provides entertainment and emotional relief, it can also lead to compulsive viewing habits requiring self-regulation strategies. Viewers found relaxation, stress relief and distraction in digital cocooning and so the media consumption became a me-time ritual just like a bed time routine.             Keywords: Binge-watching, streaming obsessions, Netflix, entertainment consumption, streaming platform.