The term "TV Splurge" can be defined as the act of consuming a significant volume of television content—often an entire season of a show—in a compressed timeframe. While colloquially known as "binge-watching," the term "splurge" implies a specific type of excess: one that is indulgent, potentially costly (in terms of time and opportunity cost), and driven by an abundance of supply. In the digital era, the TV Splurge has become the dominant mode of interaction with prestige television. This paper explores the mechanisms that enable the splurge, the psychological impact on the viewer, and the implications for the future of storytelling.
Netflix’s autoplay and “skip intro” features are not neutral; they architecturally encourage splurge behavior. We analyze how platform metrics (e.g., “% completed”) reward volume over retention. In interviews, heavy splurgers describe feeling a “completionist drive” unrelated to narrative enjoyment—a gamification of TV watching. tvsplurge
Modern TV shows are written like 10-hour movies. Writers utilize complex character arcs and cliffhangers designed specifically to trigger the brain's dopamine reward system. When an episode ends on a massive revelation, our brain demands the immediate resolution that only clicking "Play Next Episode" can provide. Cultural Currency The term "TV Splurge" can be defined as