The Compulsion to Complete: Why We Watch TV We Dislike
Have you ever found yourself grimly powering through a television series you don't even enjoy, driven by a strange need to simply finish it? You are far from alone. This peculiar modern behaviour, where the satisfaction of completion trumps the lack of viewing pleasure, has been highlighted by a recent personal account and analysed by a leading psychologist.
Writer Imogen West-Knights recently detailed her experience of watching a staggering 177 episodes of a show she actively disliked, prompting an exploration into this common yet puzzling habit. According to Professor Craig Jackson of Birmingham City University, such viewing habits are more widespread than many people realise.
The Streaming Engine Driving 'Hyperconsumption'
Modern streaming platforms are expertly designed to facilitate this compulsive viewing. Media is now consumed like any other product, and services like Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video have made the process effortless. A key driver is the visible, on-screen tracking of progress. Seeing a percentage complete or a 'Next Episode' countdown provides a tangible sense of achievement, encouraging what experts term 'hyperconsumption'.
This environment has made being a 'completist' – someone who feels compelled to finish every season – easier than ever before. There is no longer a need to wait for weekly broadcasts or hunt for physical DVDs; the entire series is available at the click of a button, removing all traditional barriers to marathon viewing sessions.
Completion Over Enjoyment: A Psychological Perspective
Professor Jackson clarifies that for many, this behaviour is likely a compulsion rather than a clinical addiction. The act of finishing a series, even a mediocre one, delivers a powerful psychological reward. The brain registers the accomplishment, which can outweigh the disappointing quality of the content itself. 'Even when the viewing experience feels like a miss, the satisfaction of completing a series can outweigh the lack of enjoyment,' he explains.
This phenomenon also connects to the comfort of rewatching familiar favourites, which eliminates the risk of a 'hit or miss' experience when browsing unpredictable streaming libraries. In a world of endless choice, sometimes the clear goal of 'finishing the list' provides a strange comfort and a defined endpoint.
The case of West-Knights, pushing through 177 episodes, stands as an extreme example of a very common digital-age behaviour. It underscores how platform design and human psychology intersect, turning passive viewing into an active, goal-oriented task where completion, not contentment, becomes the primary objective.
