These Are the States Most Obsessed With Binge-Watching, According to New Data
A new report breaks down where Americans are spending the most time streaming—and a few states stand out more than you’d expect.
If it feels like everyone’s always talking about what they’re watching lately, this probably explains why.
A new report from Overnight Glasses looked at streaming habits across the U.S., using data from the American Time Use Survey along with search trends for platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video. The result is a state-by-state ranking of where binge-watching is basically part of the routine.
Some of the results are exactly what you’d expect. Others are a little more surprising, especially when you look at how differently people watch during the week versus the weekend.
The 10 States Most Obsessed With Binge-Watching, Ranked
10. South Dakota
South Dakota lands at No. 10, with residents averaging just over 2 hours a day watching TV and movies. Weekend viewing ticks up slightly, but overall, it’s a more moderate approach compared to the rest of the list.
9. Oregon
Oregon residents average about 2.4 hours of daily viewing, with a noticeable increase on weekends. There’s also strong search interest in streaming platforms, suggesting people are actively looking for what to watch next.
8. Nevada
Nevada comes in at No. 8, with around 2.5 hours of daily viewing. Weekend streaming climbs a bit higher, and interest in platforms like Netflix and Hulu remains steady.
7. Colorado
Colorado is one of the more interesting entries. Daily viewing is lower than most states on this list, but weekends tell a different story, with a sharp jump in streaming once the workweek ends.
6. Nebraska
In Nebraska, viewing habits are fairly consistent throughout the week. Residents average close to 3 hours a day, with only a slight dip on weekends.
5. New Hampshire
New Hampshire viewers are steady across the board. They spend nearly the same amount of time watching shows on weekdays and weekends, making it one of the more balanced streaming habits in the country.
4. Rhode Island
Rhode Island residents average a little over 2 hours of daily viewing, though more active watchers are closer to 3 hours. Netflix is the clear favorite here, and many viewers prefer downloading shows to watch later.
3. Maine
Maine is where things really shift. Weekday viewing is fairly average, but weekends jump to more than 4 hours a day, making it one of the biggest binge-watching spikes in the country.
2. Montana
Montana stands out for weekday viewing. Even with full-time jobs, residents are logging close to 3.5 hours of TV during the week, with some viewers pushing past 4 hours a day.
1. Delaware
Delaware takes the top spot, with residents averaging just over 3 hours a day watching TV and movies. Weekend viewing climbs even higher, making it the most binge-watch-heavy state in the U.S.
Why Binge-Watching Might Be Hitting Harder Than You Think
According to the report, it’s not just how much people are watching, it’s how they’re watching.
Gidon Sadovsky, CEO of Overnight Glasses, said, “Eight hours of streaming in a single day is a different challenge for the eyes than an hour here and there during the week.” He also noted that many viewers are using multiple devices at once, like scrolling on their phones while watching TV, which can make long binge sessions even rougher on the eyes.
If you’ve ever gone down a late-night streaming rabbit hole, you’re in good company. Some shows are built to keep you watching, and it shows—viewers have admitted staying up until morning to finish these series, while others say they rarely make it to the end of what they start. And if you’re looking for something new, there are still plenty of underrated picks on Prime worth adding to your queue.
Read more: These Netflix Shows Were So Addictive, Viewers Stayed Up Until Morning
Read more: Only 11% of Americans Finish What They Watch — Here’s The Reality of Streaming Fatigue
Read more: 12 Hidden Gems on Amazon Prime You’ll Wish You Watched Sooner
