Why Do We 'Retaliate by Staying Up Late' to Binge-Watch? How Do Streaming Platforms (e.g., Netflix) Change the Way We Consume Stories?

Okay, this is a really interesting question, and a lot of people feel the same way. Let me try to explain it in plain language.

Why Do We "Revenge Bedtime Procrastinate" by Binge-Watching?

Imagine your typical day:

You wake up to the alarm clock, rushing to get to work; your day is filled with work, meetings, and various tasks, leaving no time that truly feels like your own; after work, you might still need to cook, do chores, spend time with family, or handle other errands.

By the time you finally finish all the things you "should" do, it's already late at night. At this moment, you collapse onto the sofa, pick up your phone or remote, and feel that finally, the whole world is quiet, and this time truly belongs to you.

This is how "revenge bedtime procrastination" happens.

It's a form of psychological compensation: During the day, we spin like tops for others and for life, losing our sense of control over time. At night, we "reclaim" a little time that belongs solely to us, time we can freely control, by sacrificing sleep. Activities like binge-watching shows, playing games, or scrolling through short videos—things that bring immediate pleasure—become our way of rewarding ourselves.
Who are we "getting revenge" on? It's not really a specific person, but rather the unfree daytime that was squeezed out by work and pressure. A voice inside you says: "I worked hard all day, why should I just go straight to sleep only to repeat the same routine tomorrow? No way, I need to have some fun."
Why is it hard to stop? Because the pleasure from binge-watching is instant. Each episode ends with a hook, making you want to watch the next one. This "just one more episode" mentality often turns into "I'll just finish this season."

Simply put, revenge bedtime procrastination through binge-watching is using "short-term pleasure" to compensate for "the loss of control during the day." It's essentially a defense of personal time and freedom, even though the cost is exhaustion the next day.

How Do Streaming Platforms (Like Netflix) Change the Way We Consume Stories?

The rise of streaming has completely overturned the way we "watch TV," a habit built up over decades. Think about the difference between watching TV as a kid and using Netflix or iQiyi now.

1. From "Appointment Viewing" to "Watch Anywhere, Anytime"

Then (Broadcast TV Era): We were "slaves to the TV schedule." Want to watch My Fair Princess? You had to be parked in front of the TV every night at 8 PM sharp. Missed it? You had to wait for a rerun or ask friends about what happened. The broadcaster set the time; we had to comply.
Now (Streaming Era): We are "masters of the content." When a show is released, you watch it whenever you want, wherever you want (phone, tablet, TV). You can pause to go to the bathroom, fast-forward through boring parts, or even watch at increased speed. We control the time; the content waits for us.

2. From "Slow Drip" to "Binge-Watching"

Then: Shows aired one episode per week. After watching an episode, people would spend the week discussing and speculating about the next one. This "agony of waiting" was a unique kind of fun, allowing a show's popularity to build over months.
Now: Netflix pioneered the "full-season release" model. A 10-episode season drops all at once. This directly fueled the culture of binge-watching (or "marathon viewing"). We no longer need to wait; we can consume the entire story in one go, like reading a novel. This experience is highly immersive, but it also makes "revenge bedtime procrastination" much easier.

3. From "Mass Broadcasting" to "Precision Feeding"

Then: Broadcasters had to consider ratings, so their programming needed to appeal to the broadest possible audience, resulting in relatively "mainstream" content.
Now: Streaming platforms have powerful algorithms. They analyze your watch history, search records, likes, and saves to precisely determine your preferences. Then, they continuously push shows likely to match your taste onto your homepage. It feels like "Wow, this platform really gets me!"—but it's actually the algorithm engaging in "precision feeding." This also gives niche and innovative shows a chance to survive, as platforms don't need to please everyone, just find the specific audience that will love them.

4. From "Passive Reception" to "Active Exploration"

Then: Our choices were limited to a few dozen channels; clicking through the remote was all it took. We passively consumed whatever the broadcaster fed us.
Now: Streaming platforms are like massive online libraries. We can actively search through vast content libraries to discover movies and shows that interest us. We've transformed from mere viewers into content curators, creating personalized "watchlists" for ourselves.

In summary:

Streaming platforms have shifted the control over story consumption from the platform back to us, the users. They offer unprecedented freedom—freedom to choose when, where, and what to watch. But it's precisely this "limitless freedom" and "precision recommendations," combined with our pent-up daytime craving for autonomy, that together create the version of us who, late at night, stares at the screen saying, "Just one more episode."