TV,
Comfort viewing in a crowded autumn
Rewatching rose for the third year running. We looked at who rewatches, what they choose and when in the week they do it.
Despite the busiest autumn schedule we have recorded, 46% of the panel rewatched at least one series in September. That is up from 39% two years ago.
The comfort shortlist
Rewatching is concentrated. Five long-running comedies, led by Brindle Point, account for more than half of all rewatch time. Most are over six seasons long and have self-contained episodes.
“It’s what I put on when I’m too tired to pick something new.”
Sunday nights belong to old favourites
Rewatching peaks on Sunday evenings and on weekday nights after 10pm. New releases dominate Friday and Saturday.
- Sunday evening: 31% of viewing time is a rewatch
- Friday evening: 12% of viewing time is a rewatch
- Households with children under ten rewatch the most
For schedulers, the lesson is that new drama does not compete well with comfort viewing on a Sunday. Read more on release timing in Weekly drops against the binge.