I got caught cheating today. I didn’t set out intending to be unfaithful but I had been eyeing this attractive little thing for quite some time now and I just couldn’t resist any longer. Things had become a little dull and boring at home. I needed some excitement and it just wasn’t being fulfilled by my current interest. So, I cheated. I would have continued cheating too – if I hadn’t been caught, that is. Chances are you’re being cheated on too. And before you judge me, chances are, you’re cheating too.
We’ve all been there. Your binge buddy isn’t around, you turn on Netflix, and just can’t help but watch without them. You’re not alone. Netflix uncovered that 46% of global viewers are cheating right now… with their favourite Netflix shows. But can you blame them? You may have started A Series of Unfortunate Events together on the couch, but one extra episode after the kids fall asleep becomes a whole season, and before you know it, you’ve (Netflix) cheated! We’re willing to bet it’s not just parents who are culprits of the crime, cheaters can come in all sizes — so don’t let the littlest ones in your household fool you.
Back to my cheating incident. I’ve been dying to watch The Crown ever since it first premiered on Netflix. It’s the kind of show my daughter and I both enjoy. We’ve talked about starting it several times – even had a whole weekend set aside for a binge – but something kept coming up. Today, as I browsed through the Netflix selections, there it was, calling out to me. Sam was in the other room watching television with her husband and I figured, what could be the harm? After all, she binged her way through all of A Series of Unfortunate Events without me! I was about 10 minutes into the first episode when from the other room, I hear, “WHAT is that you’re watching???” Busted!!!
WHERE IS CHEATING HAPPENING? (EVERYWHERE)
Cheating happens all over the world…though it varies a bit by country. Turns out Canadians are a little less polite than you may think with over a third (37%) of couples streaming behind each other’s backs. The most cheaters are in Brazil and Mexico where 57% and 58% of streaming couples have cheated, respectively. The most loyal viewers are in Netherlands (73% have not cheated), Germany (65%) and Poland (60%).
WHAT SHOWS ARE WE CHEATING ON? (ALL OF THEM)
While no show is off limits to some (30%), the top 10 cheating temptations in Canada are The Walking Dead, Breaking Bad, Orange is the New Black, Grey’s Anatomy, Bates Motel, Stranger Things, Gilmore Girls, House of Cards, Narcos and The 100.
WHY DO WE CHEAT? (WE JUST CAN’T HELP IT)
Most don’t plan to cheat…it just happens: 76% of cheating is unplanned in Canada. The trigger for the growing trend in cheating? Two-thirds (66%) of cheaters globally said that “the shows are just so good we can’t stop bingeing.”
HOW DO WE CHEAT? (ANY WAY WE CAN)
Sleep with one eye open: 25% of global cheating happens when one partner falls asleep. But whether this is even cheating is hotly debated. Half say “sleep cheating” doesn’t count (53%), but the morality of “sleep cheating” varies across the globe. Chileans think it’s no big deal, Japan sees it as unforgivable and most Canadians (61%) say sleep cheating isn’t cheating at all.
IS CHEATING SO BAD? (DEPENDS WHERE YOU LIVE)
If you stray, don’t beat yourself up about it. Cheating has become more socially acceptable in Canada, with 57% saying it’s “not bad at all.” Unless of course, you’re the other half of the 7% of streaming couples who think watching ahead is worse than having an “actual” affair. Hong Kong is even less forgiving where 40% feel watching ahead of your partner is worse than infidelity.
*The survey was conducted by SurveyMonkey from December 20-31, 2016 and based on 30,267 responses. The sample was balanced by age and gender and representative of an adult online population who watch TV shows via streaming services as a couple in The United States, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, India, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Hong Kong, UAE, Mexico, Chile, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Poland, Italy, Germany, France, Sweden, Norway, The Netherlands, and Denmark.
So fess up, let the truth set you free and share how Netflix cheating happens under your roof in the comments below or on social media with #StreamTeam.
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