Topic: Binge Watching

Roku is testing autoplay video ads with audio on its home screen, a move consistent with CEO Anthony Wood's history of maximizing ad exposure dating back to his time at Replay TV. Simultaneously, major streaming platforms are moving away from the "binge" model in favor of weekly episode releases for shows like White Lotus. This strategic shift is intended to reduce subscriber churn by forcing viewers to maintain paid accounts over several months to finish a series.

Adam Curry explains why he declined an invitation to host the Podcast Hall of Fame, criticizing the lack of international representation. The hosts discuss the "Serial" podcast's impact on the industry and argue that the success of true crime proves that high-quality audio does not require video.

The hosts announce they are nearing the end of their rewatch of the entire 11-season run of "Cheers." They solicit suggestions for their next binge-watch, considering "Veep" due to its perceived parallels with Kamala Harris's career, or "Seinfeld." The segment reflects on the "friendship" developed with the characters over the long rewatch.

The discussion explores the adoption of American commercial traditions like Black Friday in the Netherlands, despite the absence of the Thanksgiving holiday. The Dutch media has also fully embraced the term "binge-watching" as streaming habits align with global trends. The hosts characterize this as the exportation of the "worst elements" of American culture.

Netflix is reportedly moving away from the term "binge-watching" in favor of more "luxurious" branding. This shift coincides with Barack and Michelle Obama joining the platform as executive producers. A clip of Barack Obama urging people not to "binge" on media is presented as evidence of a coordinated effort to change the terminology used by the streaming service.

Netflix has reportedly instructed its actors and promoters to stop using the term "binge watching" because it cheapens the brand. The company wants to project a more "luxurious" image, despite the term being central to its success. The hosts explore synonyms for binge, such as "mainlining" or "bender," and suggest the move is pretentious.

The term "binge" is criticized as an unhealthy and ugly addition to the popular lexicon, specifically regarding television consumption. A review of the film Mission Impossible in IMAX follows, noting the franchise's predictability and illogical action sequences, such as surviving helicopter crashes.

A study from Cambridge University suggests that "binge-watching" streaming services like Netflix is contributing to a decline in sexual activity among couples. The data shows a steady drop in the average frequency of sex per month since 1990. The hosts mock the study's methodology and its projection that couples will stop having sex entirely by 2030.

Hillary Clinton appeared on Stephen Colbert's show, where she discussed binge-watching "House of Cards." The hosts find the reference ironic and "sick" given the show's themes of political murder, linking it back to their discussion of the suspicious deaths of Clinton associates.

The hosts discuss the cultural phenomenon of binge-watching "House of Cards" on Netflix, labeling it "slave culture." They note that the new season reportedly features a plotline involving Vladimir Putin and gay rights. Dvorak shares an anecdote about his wife's indifference to the "Dress" meme.

A Recode report on MSNBC explains the "fast lane" concept as a service where large companies like Netflix or Facebook pay for prioritized traffic to consumer homes. The hosts argue that the public only cares about net neutrality because of potential impacts on binge-watching entertainment. They contrast this consumer outrage with the lack of public concern over drone strikes or government spying.

The release of the Netflix series "House of Cards" is discussed as a disruptive moment for Hollywood. The hosts comment on the show's realistic depiction of Washington D.C. lobbying and the cultural shift toward binge-watching entire seasons in a single sitting.