We’ve all been there before. A damn fine television show pops out of nowhere. Cue multiple binge-watching sessions. And then…bam, you need to share the love, one way or another. Trouble is, when you actually do so, not everybody feels the same as you, and that select group of ill-advised folk includes your significant other.
Ah, the folly. Makes you want to smash your head in frustration.
Well, there’s no need to worry. In fact, there exists a method so deviously simple, that you’ll be scratching your head as to why you’ve never thought of it before. And thanks to Netflix, we know all about it.
Everybody’s favourite television streaming service found in an analysis conducted across 40+ countries between 2015 and 2017 showing that its “recommendations” feature is the best way to coax your lover into enjoying the same shows as you.
Yes, really.
The data showed that more than 80% of all shows watched on Netflix are discovered through “recommendations”, with plenty of viewers unexposed to a certain genre before going on to watch it.
For instance, it was found that one in eight Marvel viewers were new to the superhero genre prior to watching shows like Daredevil and Luke Cage, and that one in five Stranger Things fans were new to the horror genre before exploring it further.
“At Netflix we know genres are just wrappers, which is why we work hard to create algorithms that help members break these pre-conceived notions and make it easier for them to find stories they’ll love, even in seemingly unlikely places,” said Todd Yellin, Vice President of Product for Netflix.
So what does this mean? Can genres be thrown out the window?
Pretty much, if you take Netflix’s findings at face value. Basically, it doesn’t matter if your boyfriend’s man-pride is getting in the way of him watching more female-centric shows like Jessica Jones – it’s a preconceived bias; emphasis on the word bias as other “badass” shows run on similar themes.
Below is a chart that shows exactly just that:
For example, it was found that fans of Making a Murderer and Narcos absolutely loved Jessica Jones. Orange is the New Black and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt fans couldn’t get enough of Daredevil, while Amanda Knox watchers had a thing for Luke Cage.
That proves just one thing: genre is just a way to fit television shows into loose categories, with a fluidity not often noticed by viewers.
Of course, all that is so, so easy to change; even for what was previously thought to be one of the world’s most difficult challenges – getting your lover to watch (and enjoy) the same shows as you. But now, you’ve got the stats to back you up, and well, TV sources don’t get more trustworthy than Netflix.
There’s just one slight downside to this however.
If you manage to successfully convince your partner to watch your favourite TV programmes, there will be a new problem: making sure that you guys watch the same shows at the same time. After all, hell hath no fury as a partner that’s been left one episode behind.
Anyway.
There are plenty of shows available for you to get your binge-watching sessions on, but we recommend going for The Defenders – an action-packed mash-up of all the Marvel shows currently on Netflix, including Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist.
Or you could just go crazy based on your recommendations, which in Netflix’s opinion, is the best way to explore television like never before (and to convince your partner that your favourite show could be theirs too).
For more information, visit www.netflix.com.
Cover image: flash.pro/Flickr.
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