BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.,
Feb. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- No
relationship is safe. According to a new study* released today by
Netflix, nearly half (48%) of streaming couples in the U.S. have
"cheated" on their significant other, but it's not what you
think.
Americans have flirted with cheating before but it's clear now
that the honeymoon phase is over. Defined as watching a TV show
ahead of your significant other, Netflix cheating was first
uncovered in a study in the U.S. in 2013. In just four years,
cheating in the U.S. has increased three times [1] and become a
common behavior around the world among streaming couples.
The urge to cheat starts slow, and before you know it the rush
to watch ahead is too irresistible – the white lies and excuses
become part of the game. This behavior only continues to grow with
63 percent of American cheaters admitting they'd cheat more if they
knew they'd get away with it. And once you cheat, you can't stop:
nearly half of those polled are repeat offenders having cheated
three or more times (48%).
In a binge-watching world where it's easy to say 'just one
more,' Netflix cheating has quickly become the new normal...
we're human, the more attractive the show - the more they eye will
stray.
WHERE IS CHEATING HAPPENING? (EVERYWHERE)
The U.S.
(48%) rounds out the top five countries on the list of Netflix
cheaters worldwide. Brazil and
Mexico are home to the most
cheaters (57 – 58% respectively), whereas the most loyal viewers
who have not cheated in Netherlands (73%), Germany (65%) and Poland (60%).
WHAT SHOWS ARE WE CHEATING ON? (ALL OF THEM)
While no
show is off limits, top cheating temptations in the U.S. are The
Walking Dead, Orange Is The New Black, Breaking Bad, House of
Cards and Marvel's Daredevil. It's no laughing matter –
more than half of cheaters in the U.S. (55%) prefer to risk their
relationships by indulging on dramas over comedies.
WHY DO WE CHEAT? (WE JUST CAN'T HELP IT)
Most don't
intend to cheat...it just happens: 80 percent of cheating is
unplanned. The trigger for the growing trend in cheating?
Self-control… more than two-thirds (69%) of cheaters in the U.S.
admitted they were unfaithful to their streaming partner due to "an
uncontrollable desire to find out what's next."
HOW DO WE CHEAT? (ANY WAY WE CAN)
Sleep with one eye
open: 27 percent of cheating happens in the U.S. when one partner
falls asleep. But whether this is even cheating is hotly debated.
Half say "sleep cheating" doesn't count (52%), but the morality of
"sleep cheating" varies across the globe. Chileans think it's no
big deal, Japan sees it as
unforgivable. Many American streaming couples are still cheating in
secret: 36 percent never admit to their indiscretions.
IS CHEATING SO BAD? (DEPENDS WHERE YOU LIVE)
If you
stray, don't beat yourself up. Cheating has become more socially
acceptable, with 46 percent saying it's "not bad at all." However,
it's an absolute no-no for anyone paired with the 14 percent of
American streaming couples who admonish the thought of watching
ahead. You'd sooner get a pass for forgetting a birthday or even an
anniversary.
IS MY PARTNER A CHEATER? (SPOILER ALERT: MOST
LIKELY)
Cheating comes in many forms. Netflix has created a
handy series of assets to visually map this phenomenon. Cheating
Profiles highlight the most common types of offenders lurking in
households around the world. This infographic illustrates cheating
motivations and behaviors, and reaction GIFs help
couples work through their indiscretions so they can protect their
relationship...or keep on cheating.
Methodology
*The survey was conducted by SurveyMonkey
from December 20-31, 2016 and based
on 30,267 responses. The sample was balanced by age and gender and
representative of an adult online population who watch TV shows via
streaming services as a couple in The
United States, Canada, UK,
Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, India, Japan,
Taiwan, South Korea, Hong
Kong, UAE, Mexico,
Chile, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Poland, Italy, Germany, France, Sweden, Norway, The
Netherlands, and Denmark.
About Netflix
Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX) is the world's
leading Internet television network with over 93 million members in
over 190 countries enjoying more than 125 million hours of TV shows
and movies per day, including original series, documentaries and
feature films. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime,
anywhere, on nearly any Internet-connected screen. Members can
play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or
commitments.
[1] 2013 Cheating Release
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/netflix-cheating-is-on-the-rise-globally-and-shows-no-signs-of-stopping-300406051.html
SOURCE Netflix, Inc.