The Relationship between Loneliness and Binge-watching over time: An Experience Sampling Study of Video-on-Demand watching

The usage of Video-on-demand services (VoD) is becoming highly popular in recent years. This increasing consumption has led to the well-known phenomenon of binge-watching. To date, little is known about the various consequences and predictors of excessive watching behaviour. This study examines the temporal relationship between loneliness and binge-watching behaviour by using experience sampling method (ESM). The study involved 74 participants, who answered daily questionnaires over the course of 15 days using an application called Ethica on their smartphone. Level of loneliness was assessed two times a day, while yesterday’s watching behaviour was assessed once a day. Analyses revealed that loneliness was a significant predictor of binge-watching on the same day. Furthermore, associations between loneliness and VoD watching over time were not trait-like driven, but rather state-like driven. The findings indicate that participants may have other motivations for watching VoD services than loneliness due to the very low average scores for loneliness. Also, results suggest that momentary loneliness predicts more binge-watching, but binge-watching does not predict higher or lower levels of loneliness the next day. Therefore, increased streaming on VoD platforms can be seen as a potential coping strategy for feelings of loneliness that should be further explored.