No, you choose

Sometimes, after a long day, all you want to do is veg out on the sofa and engross yourself in a good TV series or movie. But with so much choice, it can be difficult to actually land on something to watch.

We surveyed Brits to find out how long it takes to select something to watch and the average time people will give a show before flicking to a new option. We’ve also teamed up with Dr George Fieldman, a chartered psychologist, to discuss who’s more prone to “choice paralysis” and tips to make picking your next binge-able box set easier than ever.

The art of decision making

Finding something to watch sounds like a simple task, right? Wrong. The process of finding the perfect thing to watch is laden with choices that can impact the outcome of your evening. You have to find something that piques your interest, matches your mood and duration… and that doesn’t even include recommendations from your colleagues, cast preference or social media hype.

The selection timeline

Choice Paralysis 1.1

Choice Paralysis 1.2

Choice Paralysis 1.3

Choice Paralysis 1.4

Choice Paralysis

That's a lot of factors to consider when trying to find something to watch. Combine this with a plethora of streaming sites with bountiful content options, you’ve got yourself a recipe for choice paralysis which can eat up your whole evening.

Choice paralysis can be described as having such a tough time choosing between option A or B that we pick option C or do nothing at all.

This phenomenon can stem from various factors, including fear of missing out on something better, worrying about making the wrong choice or simply feeling overwhelmed by too much choice.

In fact, our survey reveals that nearly 60%
of respondents say that after a long bout of scrolling, they abandon their search and ultimately decide not to watch anything. Feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, and tired is not something people sign up for in search the search for entertainment.

Struggling with decision paralysis could also be why 1 in 10 Brits spend up to a staggering two hours navigating the vast sea of choices before finally settling on the chosen one. In fact, on average, it takes about 30 minutes a day for viewers to curate their nightly entertainment.

So, for those who are committed to watching TV every day, it adds up to a massive 182.5 hours annually, lost in the intricacies ofchoice paralysis.

The binge-watch checklist

No one knows what you want to watch better than you do, which is why having a mental checklist of personal preferences can help you pick what to watch. But if you’re watching with more than one person, the list of preferences doubles – making the task of choosing something to watch even harder.

Boxset boxes to tick off

It’s A Must 1.1

It’s A Must 1.2

It’s A Must 1.3

It’s A Must 1.4

It’s a must!

So, what are the “must-haves” people are looking for when flicking through all the options. Well, there’s nothing quite as irritating as getting into a series and it ends on a shocking cliffhanger. And now you have to wait until next week for the next episode to come out. This could be why the majority of Brits (70%) prefer to have a whole series ready to watch, rather than consuming it in weekly instalments.

It's not just access to show that matters, there are a plethora of boxes that need to be ticked before settling on a show or movie. Unsurprisingly, the plot is the most important factor when picking a TV programme with 47% of viewers prioritising a captivating narrative over everything else. It makes sense though, if you’re going to commit to a show with 10 seasons or a film with multiple sequels, it’s important to know you’re following a storyline that you can invest hours into.

With plot being the number one driver for viewers, people are now willing to expand their watching horizons further than before. Netflix and other popular streaming services offer a wild assortment of options, meaning that if the story is engrossing enough, subscribers will happily dive into shows from a diverse range of cultures.

That being said, right behind plot on the priority list is having a good set of cast or actors as 41% stated that it plays an important role when picking what to watch. In third and fourth place is genre with 40% and reviews at 31%, respectively. That’s a lot to consider when flicking through the all the streaming services!

These are the UK’s top genres to watch

1

2

3

4

5

Getting hooked

HOOKED

While it may take a substantial amount of time to decide on what to watch, it turns out that if the show isn’t up to scratch, then it’s hasta la vista, baby to the series almost immediately. The public gives TV shows just 34 minutes, on average, before deciding if it has piqued their interest or not. But that’s quite a long time compared to the decisive majority among us as 35% of respondents make up their minds in under 20 minutes.

Movies, on the other hand, face an even tighter race against the clock. The average decision time stands at a mere 30 minutes, on average. Within just half an hour, viewers have determined the fate of their cinematic experience. So, it appears that time is a precious commodity and the race for films and TV shows to captivate begins the very moment the opening credits roll – definitely no room for slow burners around here.

TV isn’t what it used to be

Nowadays, watching a series or a film isn’t just confined to the actual television set. Mobile phones, laptops and tablets are also thrown into the mix and that has led to some unconventional viewing habits.

So much so, that 35% of Brits admit to having watched an episode of a TV show or a film in sections on social media platforms such as TikTok and YouTube. 32% of GenZ (16-24) say that clips and snippets that come up on their For You Page is a huge deciding factor for them when picking what to watch. The ‘hype’ around a show or film is also very influential to this age group, 29% will watch it based on hype and recommendations alone.

Shhhh I’m watching

After all that effort overcoming the hurdles, battling with choice paralysis and finding something that ticks all the boxes, you're ready to get lost in a stellar storyline, only to have it ruined by the habits of your loved ones. You could be watching with a notorious spoiler, a loud eater, or an overly chatty friend, which can stop you from getting fully emersed in the film or show you worked so hard to find.

The biggest TV-watching faux pas people commit

Pet Peeves

So, what are the biggest pet peeves amongst the nation? Well, it’s no surprise that the worst offence that grinds the gears of 45% of Brits is talking. If you’re unfortunate enough to be sat next to a chatterbox – which is the viewer whose opinions must be said, then and there – it can majorly distract from the magic of the show at crucial moments.

Speaking of crucial scenes, in second place of annoyances is spoiling key scenes with 32% of Brits admitting that hate spoiler culprits. A well-meaning loved one inadvertently revealing plot twists can perfectly shatter the suspense you worked so hard to find.

Nothing ruins the ambience of a movie night more than the pervasive glow of a smartphone or the constant buzz of incoming messages, a blaring distraction that pulls attention away from the screen. Well, people checking phones and constantly asking about the plot come in joint third place with 30% admitting they are both a top annoyance – maybe if people stopped checking their phones, they’d know what’s going on in the story?

Top TV-watching annoyances

1

2

3

4

5

Ask the expert

Dr George Fieldman is a British Psychological Society Chartered Psychologist and Senior Practitioner in Psychotherapy. He is BABCP accredited Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist with 20 years of experience. He is also an experienced Executive Mentor with an international client base.

George combines the rigours of a scientific approach with a warm, kind and compassionate nature and style. This serves to empower clients, to enhance their resilience, and to help them to develop both themselves and their organisation to their full potential. George is a Consultant Psychologist at the King Edward VII’s Hospital, London and, founding partner of the Clear Thinking Clinic.

Dr George Fieldman

Personalities prone to choice paralysis

“Those that suffer from anxiety are more likely to experience choice paralysis. This usually happens because making the right choice is important for them and they overestimate the impact of making the wrong decision.”

Recognising your anxiety

“Fear and danger are poorly correlated which means that people fear making the wrong choice. Even when it comes to picking something to watch on TV still comes with a fair amount of factors to consider which can lead you to spiral into anxiety. What you watch is a significant investment of time and people don’t want to make the wrong choice. It has to be worthwhile to justify spending that time which could be spent elsewhere.”

Independent Consultant Chartered Psychologist

BSc, PhD, CPsychol, CSci, AFBPsS, BABCP, UKCP, FRSA

Top tips for conquering choice paralysis

1

Identify underlying beliefs:

Explore the beliefs that are fuelling your anxiety as often there are deeper concerns at play. This could be a fear of wasting time or missing out on something better. Identifying them can help you challenge and overcome them.

2

Reframe your mindset:

Ask yourself whether the goal is to watch something good or to have a good time with the people you are with. The two don’t have to go hand in hand. Sometimes, it’s the experience and quality time spent.

3

Set realistic expectations:

Not every movie or TV show is going to knock your socks off and be the perfect fit for what you’re looking for. Enjoy the process of picking something and watching it rather than fixating on the outcome.

4

Limit decision-making time:

If you overthink choices, try setting a time limit when making decisions. This can help prevent analysis paralysis and encourage you to trust your instincts more.

Methodology

With so much time and effort going into searching for something to watch, you don’t want poor TV quality to take away from your latest televisual feast session. That’s where the wide range of Hisense laser TVs come in. Get crisp, clear images that take your cinematic experience to the next level with our range of Hisense 50-inch televisions or bask in the precision of Hisense Mini LED collection.

That’s where the wide range of Hisense Laser TVs, Hisense Mini LED TVs come in. Get crisp, clear images that take your cinematic experience to the next level with our range of Hisense 50-inch televisions or bask in a super large screen experience with 75-inch plus Hisense TVs. Enhance your experience further with the perfect Hisense Soundbar pairing, bringing immersive sound to your viewing experience.

TechTalk

The latest tech reviews and inspiration from Currys

No, you choose!

From the perils of choice paralysis to the pitfalls of endless scrolling, we delve into the not-so-secret challenges behind picking what to watch on TV.

No, you choose