Canadians in relationships who also have children at home are almost twice as likely as those without to have “cheated” on their spouse/partner/significant other by streaming a TV program(s) before/without them, according to a recent survey conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Netflix1. But don’t start grilling your significant other or giving them the evil eye just yet.
Twenty-three per cent of those in a relationship who have children in their home indicated that they have “cheated” on their spouse/partner/significant other by streaming a TV program(s) before their partner had a chance to watch, versus just 12 per cent of those without children. Additionally, 29 per cent of those with children indicated that they have been “cheated” on in the past2.
Those in a relationship who have kids in their home who would “cheat” by streaming a TV program(s) would do so while in the bathroom, before their significant other had a chance to watch (7 per cent).
Fourteen per cent of those in a relationship who have kids in their home confessed to their partner they watched a streamed program before them and 36 per cent of those in a relationship who have kids said they would feel guilty after streaming a show without their partner.
“For all of the joy and innovation that comes with streaming TV shows on Netflix, it’s clear this paradigm shift has had a cultural impact and effect on human behavior,” said Ted Sarandos, Chief Content Officer for Netflix. “Our researchers investigated the situation, and it’s clear many people are ‘cheating’ on their significant other by watching ahead. Let me be clear: Netflix does not condone adultery. As always—our message is to Watch Responsibly.”
Other interesting data from the survey:
- “Cheaters”3 chose a number of different locations:
- 64 per cent would be likely to do so at home by themselves on the main TV
- 18 per cent admitted they would watch while their significant other was traveling for work
- Seven per cent would watch during a break at work, while six per cent would watch while traveling for work
- Four per cent admit that they would “cheat” by streaming a TV program in the bathroom.
- Perhaps to get out of sleeping on the couch, results showed that many of those in a relationship would do any of the listed behaviors to try to hide that they watched a TV program via streaming before their significant other. Of those who would do any of the listed actions:
o 34 per cent would not spoil scenes before they happened
o 39 per cent would re-watch with their partner without saying anything
o Eight percent would re-watch and “fake it” with emotion
o 16 per cent would feel so guilty that they would need to confess to their partner.
- · A little more reckless with their viewing habits, younger couples (31 per cent of those ages 18-39) were more likely to have “cheated4” than older couples (six per cent of those ages 50+).
- · Younger adults appear more likely to come clean about “cheating” than their older counterparts—21 per cent of those ages 18-39 vs. five per cent of those ages 40-49; and three per cent of those ages 50+.
Netflix continues to revolutionize entertainment by letting viewers control what and when they watch. Netflix is not responsible for trust issues, lovers’ spats, or marital troubles that arise because the programming offered is just too addictive.
1 Survey was conducted online within Canada by Harris Interactive on behalf of Netflix from April 23-26, 2013 among 1,011 Canadian adults (of whom 664 are married, living with a partner or dating) ages 18 and older.
2 Their spouse/partner/significant other watched a program(s) via streaming before/without them.
3 Those in a relationship who would “cheat” by streaming TV program(s) before their spouse/partner significant other had a chance to watch.
4 Have watched a program(s) via streaming before their spouse/partner/significant other had a chance to watch it/them.
SURVEY METHODOLOGY
The survey was conducted online within Canada by Harris Interactive on behalf of Netflix between April 23rd and April 26th, 2013 among 1,011 adults ages 18 and older (of whom 664 are married, living with a partner or dating) via its Global Omnibus product. Figures for age, sex, education, region, household income and ethnicity were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. This data were weighted to reflect the composition of the general adult population. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, please contact [email protected].
