Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

An Experimental Examination Of Binge Watching And Narrative Engagement, Sarah E. Erickson, Sonya Dal Cin, H. Byl

Communication Faculty Research

Increasingly, audiences are engaging with media narratives through the practice of binge watching. The effects of binge watching are largely unknown, although early research suggests binge watching may be motivated by a need for escape and could be associated with some qualities of addiction. In this study, we ask whether the practice of binge watching impacts audience engagement with a media narrative. Using an experimental approach, we manipulate the format of exposure to media narratives (binge or nonbinge) and test the effect of this manipulation on audience engagement, specifically parasocial relationships with favorite characters and narrative transportation. Results suggest that …