Why I refuse to binge-watch TV shows — and why you should too

watching TV with remote control in hand — (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Binge-watching has become the default for many people now, and I can understand why. Streaming services love it and encourage it, being set up to play the next episode as soon as the previous one finishes. And many viewers have obviously taken to it, sitting there for hours consuming multiple episodes of whatever show they’re currently watching.

However, I detest the idea of binge-watching, and prefer to watch one or two episodes of a show at a time. I think this lets shows breathe, and increases viewer enjoyment to boot. I wish more people would take the time to appreciate TV shows and watch them at a slower pace rather than seeing racing to the end as quickly as possible as the best option.

For me, it’s about more than just a schedule; it’s about how we engage with stories. When we rush through, we risk missing the nuance that the creators intended for us to experience. By slowing down, we can return to a version of TV that feels like a genuine event rather than just another task to be completed.

Let shows set the pace and protect the craft

For starters, the best TV shows are designed with pacing in mind. There may be action interspersed with dialogue-heavy scenes, multiple-episode story arcs, and cliffhangers at the end of some episodes. Therefore, shows need to be allowed to set their own pace rather than rushed through willy-nilly. Binge-watching completely kills this notion, as viewers are forcing their sprinting-to-the-end pacing on the shows. This can really affect enjoyment, as you end up not experiencing the show in the way the producers intended.

Just one more episode logo on a red mug

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

This trend is also killing viewers’ appreciation of the craft required to make a great TV show. The acting, the script, the cinematography, and the music score should all be appreciated more than binge-watching allows. This could even have a knock-on effect at the production stage. After all, why bother crafting exquisite episodes when most viewers are just going to burn through them with little regard for the effort that has gone into making them? This is especially true when many viewers will only be paying some attention while the rest are focused on their phones.

Engagement, burnout and a balanced lifestyle

I actually find myself less engaged when binge-watching. I would rather watch a single episode and be utterly transfixed by it rather than watch multiple episodes and find myself reaching for my phone. Scrolling while watching TV is a modern trend, and it seems to go hand-in-hand with the binge. I have binge-watched in the past, often motoring through half a season over a weekend, but I usually checked out and didn't continue. I had essentially been burned out on that show, never to return.

For me personally, watching TV is just one of many hobbies, alongside gaming, reading, and exercising. I’m quite picky about what I watch; I want to enjoy shows and, crucially, make them last. Why burn through a series that you’re actually enjoying? Doesn’t it make more sense to make enjoyable activities last as long as possible? It also means I have something else lined up to watch when I finally reach the end, whereas binge-watchers may be stuck wondering what to watch next.

Navigating the downsides of a slower pace

Woman watching a streaming program on her television while holding remote and popcorn. — (Image credit: Shutterstock)

While I avoid binge-watching, there are some obvious downsides to this slower approach. As someone in a relationship with a partner who is happy to binge-watch, this can sometimes require compromise — whether that’s watching separately or agreeing on two episodes at a time. I also have to make a concerted effort to avoid spoilers on social media, as spreading a show out over weeks increases the chances of being tripped up by a stray post.

Lastly, if I go too long between episodes, I can occasionally lose the narrative thread. However, most shows offer recaps, and if they don’t, there’s always YouTube. At the end of the day, I wish more people would reject the binge as the default and opt for a more relaxed way of watching. If you aren't going to tune into the beats and story arcs the creators crafted for your enjoyment, you may as well just cancel your streaming subscriptions and be done with it.

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Dave Parrack has been writing online since 2007, covering entertainment, gaming, and technology. He has bylines at MUO and SlashGear, and currently writes features for PCWorld. He also launched the entertainment section at MUO, and worked for many years as an editor. He has been a Spotify subscriber since it first launched in the UK, and maintains subscriptions to Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, and more. He's a movie buff, consuming as many as he can across a wide range of genres. In his spare time, Dave enjoys exploring the world, shooting photographs, and generally seeking to live life to the fullest.

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