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Binge-watching on the go: How India took to Netflix in 2017

Data released by Netflix shows just how much we loved to binge-watch this year.

Written by : TNM Staff

With the advent of online content, you no longer have to worry about not having plans on a weekend. Staying in bed and binge-watching TV shows is something we have all done at some point.

And data released by Netflix about Indian users in 2017 reveal just how much we love to binge-watch.

Dedicated binge watchers

Indians, it appears, are more dedicated binge watchers compared to others globally. According to data on the average time spent by a user on a daily basis between November 1, 2016 and November 1, 2017, it was found that Indians could finish a show in three days, whereas the world average is four.

Binge watching on the go

Indians were second only to Mexico when it came to consuming Netflix shows while commuting. While 88% of those surveyed admitted to watching Netflix while commuting, the number was 89% in Mexico. 25% Indians even missed a train stop because they were too engrossed in the show!

This data shows that a large number of Indians are watching Netflix on mobile phones, tablets and laptops. According to Netflix’s survey results, 65% people streamed content while on trains and 52% while on flights.

Mobile all the way

Indians were also among the top populations who downloaded content on mobile, thanks to easy availability and affordability of mobile data.

But television users didn’t fare too badly – with 34% watching Netflix through TV.

Top streaming day

October 29 was the day most people in India watched Netflix, contrary to January 1 for the rest of the world. There wasn’t anything special about October 29 except that it was Sunday.

In general, the per day usage of subscribers of the web-streaming platform is a whopping 140 million hours, which amounts to about a billion hours weekly globally.

Bringing in the family

Indians were big on making watching Netflix a family affair – for some shows at least. Shows like Chef's TableRiverdale, and Star Trek: Discovery were popular for family watching in India, as well as Stranger Things and 13 Reasons Why.

To ‘devour’ or to ‘savour’

Interestingly, there were some shows that Indians chose to ‘devour’ (watch for more than two hours in a day) and ‘savour’ (watch for less than two hours a day).

While South Korean time-travelling drama My Only Love Song topped the former list, it was followed by 13 Reasons Why and Marvel's Iron FistRiverdale was also a show Indians loved to devour in 2017.

Meanwhile, Indians consumed shows like The Crown, Samurai Gourmet, Midnight Diner: Tokyo Series and Disjointed much slower.  

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