Love It or Hate It: The Psychology of TV Shows We Can’t Stop Watching

Tech companies often profit more from our negative impulses than our positive ones. Online engagement is key, regardless of the emotion driving it. A click fueled by anger is as valuable as one from joy.

This has seeped into the entertainment industry, especially streaming. Retaining subscribers and generating ad revenue is paramount. Whether viewers love or hate a show is secondary; continuous watching is the goal. This doesn’t mean streamers intentionally create infuriating content, but they benefit equally from passionate fans and enraged critics. This existed in traditional ratings, but streaming amplifies it.

Consider “Emily in Paris.” Its formulaic plot and questionable quality haven’t stopped its massive success, with 58 million households streaming season one within its initial release. While the pandemic impacted viewership, the show’s continued popularity into its fourth season solidifies its hit status.

But hate-watching has drawbacks. It negatively influences recommendation algorithms, creating a feedback loop of similar, potentially disliked content. Like doomscrolling or engaging with trolls, it reinforces negative habits and fosters cynicism beyond entertainment. The momentary enjoyment can leave lingering negativity.

While hate-watching is alluring, recognize its potential downsides. Continuously consuming anger-inducing content can cultivate a negative mindset and skew algorithms toward similarly frustrating shows. Choosing content that genuinely resonates contributes to a more positive viewing experience and healthier mental state.