To binge or not to binge? How the movement from weekly releases to binge releases changed television

For many years, television followed a familiar ritual. Each week, there was something to look forward to, as friends and family congregated around their televisions at the same time, on the same day, in excitement for the next episode of their favourite show. The speculation and anticipation of the next episodes lasted days, cliffhangers included. There was longer audience conversation and a stronger community experience – television was a shared cultural experience. However, this tradition transformed in the past decade into dedicating days and weekends to an entire season, instead of waiting all week in excitement. The ‘binge-watch’ era had arrived.

Streaming services, like Netflix and Disney +, began dropping episodes all at once, allowing audiences to binge the series or watch it at their own pace. Viewers could now be entertained for hours, with no more anticipation for cliffhangers when the answer is simply a click away. Shows like Orange is the New Black and more recently, Ozark, with its intense and gripping plotlines, were released with all episodes available immediately, redefining television consumption as weekends became dedicated to these releases. Stranger Things and Wednesday took over social media immediately after release, as viewers became more comfortable watching these shows whenever they wanted, creating a more personal viewing experience compared to the traditionally scheduled episodes.

This shift also altered audience behaviour: viewers became more impatient with having to wait between episodes, expecting quick access and continuous entertainment rather than gradual pacing, creating a growing frustration at the methods that once defined television culture.

Yet, this results in a shorter cultural lifespan, as media coverage lowers within a shorter amount of time, and conversations – well, they die down almost immediately after release. Binge watching provides a cathartic feeling; watching all episodes at once allows for the intense build up of all emotions across a short period of time. But, do you feel yourself struggling to recount the plot of each episode in detail? I definitely do. The episodes tend to blur together, leaving audiences unable to distinguish between each one and important details being missed completely. When binge-watching with my mum I constantly miss important things that I later have to clarify with her – and often even she doesn’t know!

However, despite this new mode of release, corporations like HBO Max and Apple TV have continued using the more familiar method of weekly episodes. Major shows like The Last of Us and Euphoria stayed in public conversation for longer, with theories, memes and social media discussion growing as a result of anticipation. Shows like Euphoria also focus on several characters’ lives while shifting back and forth between chaotic events and extreme themes, meaning it can sometimes become overwhelming to watch continuously, in which case the weekly releases makes it more digestible. The return of weekly releases demonstrates that audiences not only appreciate the scheduled convenience, but also the suspense and community that is created as a consequence.

It is understandable that weaker episodes are more likely to be singled out and ridiculed, making shows more susceptible to scrutiny and critique. However, weekly releases also allow for a deeper and more detailed analysis of characters, themes, and events, as more attention is given by viewers.

In terms of television subscriptions, the companies certainly benefit too, as long-term subscriptions must be paid in order to keep watching throughout the weeks.  Weekly releases also help these streaming platforms maintain consistent audience engagement as well as media attention over longer periods of time, encouraging viewers to renew subscriptions rather than paying for a single month to binge a series that can be finished within two days.

The debate between binge releases and weekly releases is, undoubtedly, about more than just scheduling. It reflects the massive changes in entertainment, ranging from the obsession with short-term satisfaction to the intense growth of fandoms and their social media influence. As streaming services continue to experiment and change their release methods, the question surrounding binge-watching still remains: does binge-watching actually improve television, or does it change how audiences experience television shows altogether, altering the sense of connection and shared anticipation that once defined television culture?