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Netflix & Chill: Why TV Compatibility Matters When You’re Online Dating

woman with netflix on ipad

Binge-watching the same TV shows? That’s a huge turn-on for millennials, according to Match.com’s 2017 Singles in America study. The annual large scale study surveyed 5,500 singles and found that millennials were 270 percent more likely to think it’s hot if the person they’re dating is streaming the same TV shows.

It makes sense. A few years ago I went on a few dates with a guy who, when prompted, admitted, “I just don’t find Arrested Development funny at all. Why do you people like it?” My jaw almost dropped to the floor. Arrested Development is one of my favorite shows of all time. I think it’s hilarious and so do millions of other people. What was wrong with this guy? (Just kidding – everyone is entitled to their own taste. But, really, what was wrong with him?!)

Then, more recently I met a guy who didn’t watch TV at all. He wasn’t one of those people who (like me) proudly declares, “I don’t have cable or a TV!” but then binge on 182 hours of The Mindy Project on their laptop or iPad. This guy literally didn’t watch television. He didn’t even have Netflix. He also didn’t read books very often, which made me wonder, “Dude, what is your life?!”

As trivial as it may seem, what we watch and how we watch it does matter when it comes to choosing a partner. Here’s why.

1. It shows whether we share a sense of humor.

Sharing a sense of humor is incredibly important. The fact that my former date didn’t find Arrested Development amusing was a glaring sign that we didn’t find the same kinds of things funny. On the other hand, he loved low-brow comedies that rely on body humor (fart jokes) and laughs at the expense of characters hurting themselves (frat boys falling off frat house roofs.) This told me everything I needed to know.

2. It’s a good gauge of someone’s world view.

Let’s face it, since the streaming revolution brought on by Netflix and other platforms, most of us spend quite a bit of time in front of a screen. If you think of the characters of our favorite shows as secondary “friends” that we choose to spend time with, what we decide to watch says a lot about who we are as people and how we view the world.

For example, I like to spend my time equally between witty comedies where absurd chaos reigns supreme (Arrested Development, 30 Rock) and smart dramas that address large scale social issues (The Wire, Homeland, Breaking Bad.) Just like my Arrested Development litmus test, if someone tells me that they “just don’t get The Wire” or they “think it’s boring,” it’s a good sign we don’t share a similar worldview or politics and probably won’t get along in life.

Also, if we’re going to be streaming shows together, we’ll want to make sure our fictional “friend” groups mesh and that we like similar kind of content. In other words, if you only like watching sports and daytime talk shows, we’re probably not going to work as partners – binge watching or otherwise.

3. It’s indicative of lifestyle.

How you watch is almost as important as what you watch. If the person you’re dating doesn’t even have a Netflix account, they’re not going to understand your need to watch an entire season of Orange is the New Black or House of Cards on the same day it’s released. On the flipside, if you’re a moderate binge-watcher who also enjoys other activities and hobbies, you may find it extremely frustrating dating someone who consistently spends every weekend binging on new shows. In other words, it’s all about finding someone who’s streaming habits work with yours.

4. Beware of cheating.

No relationship is safe. According to a new study released by Netflix, nearly half (46 percent) of streaming couples around the world have “cheated” on their significant other – but not in the way you think.

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. Four years later, cheating has increased three times and has become a common behavior around the world. This behavior only continues to grow, with 60 percent of consumers saying they’d cheat more if they knew they’d get away with it. And once you cheat, you can’t stop: 81 percent of cheaters are repeat offenders and 44 percent have cheated 3+ times.

However, you stray, don’t beat yourself up about it. Cheating has become more socially acceptable in Canada, with 57 percent saying it’s “not bad at all.” Unless of course, you’re in the other half of the 7 percent of streaming couples who think watching ahead is worse than having an “actual” affair. Hong Kong is even less forgiving where 40 percent feel watching ahead of your partner is worse than infidelity.

In other words, when it comes to TV show compatibility, it’s not just about finding someone who likes similar shows. It’s also about finding someone who won’t kick you to the curb if you tell them, “Honey, I watched the next episode of Daredevil without you.”

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