You Television Show: The Algorithm Knows What You Hate-Watch

Tech companies understand that profiting from our negative impulses is often easier than appealing to our better nature. In the digital world, engagement is the primary goal, regardless of the emotion driving it. A click motivated by anger is as valuable as one driven by joy.

As Hollywood shifted towards streaming, this internet logic infiltrated entertainment. Streaming platforms prioritize keeping viewers engaged and subscriptions active. For ad-supported platforms, continuous viewing translates to ad revenue. While loyalty is important, the underlying emotions fueling that loyalty are secondary. As long as viewers keep watching, the “why” becomes irrelevant.

This doesn’t imply that streamers intentionally create infuriating content. However, from a business perspective, hate-watching and love-watching are equivalent. This was true in the era of television ratings, but streaming amplifies the phenomenon. Consider “Emily in Paris,” a show arguably lacking in depth compared to other contemporary series. Its formulaic plot involves Emily navigating predictable romantic entanglements. Yet, 58 million households streamed the first season within its initial release month in 2020. While the pandemic’s stay-at-home orders contributed to this success, the show remains a major hit for the streaming platform as it enters its fourth season.

There are compelling reasons to avoid hate-watching. It negatively impacts your viewing algorithm, leading to recommendations for similar shows you’ll likely dislike.

Hate-watching, much like doomscrolling or engaging with online trolls, reinforces negative behaviors. The more we indulge in these activities, the more they become ingrained habits, fostering a cynical worldview. This negativity can extend beyond our entertainment choices, affecting our overall outlook. While momentarily satisfying, hate-watching can leave a lasting negative impact.