In a post-Snowden world, it should come as no surprise that Netflix pretty much knows everything about what, how, and why you’re watching what you’re watching. The ever-popular streaming service has a mountain of data at its fingertips, and it puts that to good use in deciding how best to craft and release its burgeoning slate of original series.

Today, Netflix unveiled some data about binge-watching habits, specifically which shows and which kinds of shows viewers are more likely to watch the fastest, and which ones viewers like to “savor”, which is another word for “watch TV like a normal person pre-2007.”

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Image via Netflix

The results are simultaneously unsurprising and kind of shocking. For instance, darker shows and thrillers are more likely to be binged extremely quickly, while comedies and complex political and historical dramas are watched at a slower pace. The binge scale is divided up into “devoured” and “savored”, with the former describing shows that viewers spent more than two hours a day consuming, while the latter are shows that are watched less than two hours per day. The median days to complete the first season of a TV show on Netflix was five days, per their data, and the median hours per session of those that completed a show overall was 2 hours and 10 minutes. In other words, folks are spending a lot of time watching Netflix.


Specifically, buzzy and highly serialized shows like The 100, Orphan Black, and Sense8 were more likely to be devoured, as were thematically dark yet entertaining series like The Walking Dead, American Horror Story, DexterBreaking Bad, and The Fall. And comedies with a dramatic bent like Orange Is the New BlackWeeds, and Grace and Frankie were binged rather quickly.

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Image via Netflix

But dark doesn’t always equal binge-worthy, as the complexity of shows like House of Cards, Bloodline, Mad MenPeaky Blinders, and even Daredevil led to a slower season consumption. And somewhat surprisingly, half-hour straight-up comedies like Unbreakable Kimmy SchmidtArrested Development, and BoJack Horseman were more likely to be savored.

You can get a closer look at the scale via Netflix’s chart below. I’ll admit I’m surprised that seemingly breezy shows like Kimmy Schmidt are devoured more slowly, but I suppose the serialization of Orange Is the New Black or something like The Fall makes it easier to say “just one more.”

What do you think folks? Do these statistics reflect your own viewing habits? Sound off in the comments, and if you're looking for recommendations, check out our extensive list of the best TV shows currently streaming on Netflix.

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Image via Netflix

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Image via Netflix
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Image via AMC
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Image via Netflix