What gratifications do respondents derive from binge-watching?
Katz (1973) and Rubin (1983) have managed to identify various gratifications that were derived
through media consumption. Companionship, boredom and the need for escapism into another
world were observed to be the main motivators for individuals to watch linear television. However,
with the introduction of various genres and original content to captivate the minds of the viewer,
gratifications and motives have started to largely depend on the media type and content. Viewers
draw different type of gratifications from a reality TV show when compared against a horror movie
(Pittman and Sheehan, 2015). However, research on individuals who binge-watch TV shows to
help them “fit-in” and build a positive relationship with the society is very limited. It’s mostly to do
with the fact that the gratification theories are out dated and is based on linear television which
fails to adhere with the consumption of online television