Does Being in a Relationship Affect People’s TV-Watching Habits?

Couples TV Habits header image

In today’s day and age, watching TV is one of the safest activities around—it keeps you at home and keeps you sane. But what does watching TV look like for couples? Does it mitigate fights or cause more tiffs? 

Do people watch more TV when they’re single or when they’re taken? Do couples revel at the chance to sit down and binge-watch their favorite series, or do they want to pull their hair out each time their partner petitions to watch something they don’t like? 

The experts at All Home Connections wanted to find out—so that’s exactly what we did. We surveyed 1,000 people in relationships and asked them questions about their TV habits since being in a relationship, both during quarantine and overall.

Comedy is a hit among couples
33% of respondents in a relationship watch TV with their significant other because it merely gives them something to do.

of respondents in a relationship watch TV with their significant other because it merely gives them something to do.

28% of respondents in a relationship say they watch TV with their significant other because it’s an activity that doesn’t require them to leave the house or spend money.

of respondents in a relationship say they watch TV with their significant other because it’s an activity that doesn’t require them to leave the house or spend money. 

22% of respondents in a relationship watch TV with their significant other because it’s an activity both parties can get emotionally invested in.

of respondents in a relationship watch TV with their significant other because it’s an activity both parties can get emotionally invested in.

Comedy is a hit among couples—reality TV isn’t.
38% of couples watch comedy together

of respondents in a relationship watch comedy together—the most of any TV genre. Only 8% of respondents in a relationship watch reality TV together.

80% of male respondents avoid watching action shows with S.O.

of male respondents in a relationship avoid watching action shows in front of their partner; 71% of female respondents in a relationship avoid watching reality TV around their significant other.

horror and romance are not popular among couples

Oddly enough, horror and romance aren’t as popular among couples. 16% of respondents in a relationship avoid watching horror TV shows with their partner. 13% of respondents in a relationship avoid watching romance shows with their partner.

women are more likely than men to watch tv shows they wouldn't normally
who watch significantly more TV genres now than when they were single are women

of those who watch significantly more TV genres now than when they were single are women, compared to only 42% of men who claim the same.

of respondents in a relationship claim they watch different TV shows now since being single.

of respondents in a relationship claim they watch different TV shows now since being single.

of respondents in a relationship said they’d be embarrassed if their partner knew about certain shows they watch—55% of those respondents being men.

of respondents in a relationship said they’d be embarrassed if their partner knew about certain shows they watch—55% of those respondents being men.

Of the 12% of respondents who don't want their partner to know what they watch, 56% are male to 44% female.
Of the 12% of respondents who don’t want their partner to know what they watch, 56% are male to 44% female.
male respondents claim their S.O. would get mad if they watched a series without them
57% of male respondents claim they’d get upset, compared to only 43% of female respondents.

of male respondents claim they’d get upset, compared to only 43% of female respondents.

55% of respondents in a relationship binge-watch shows with their partner.

of respondents in a relationship binge-watch shows with their partner. 

of respondents in a relationship have a TV watching routine with their significant other.

of respondents in a relationship have a TV watching routine with their significant other.

couples that fight over what to watch on TV
59% of male respondents in a relationship claim they fought with their S.O. over what to watch more during the pandemic.

of male respondents in a relationship claim they fought with their S.O. over what to watch more during the pandemic.

68% of female respondents in a relationship claim they don’t fight with their partner over what to watch because, on the whole, they get to pick what they watch together.

of female respondents in a relationship claim they don’t fight with their partner over what to watch because, on the whole, they get to pick what they watch together.

48% of respondents in a relationship say they don’t get into fights with their S.O. over what to watch because they take turns choosing. 12% said they do fight over what to watch.

of respondents in a relationship say they don’t get into fights with their S.O. over what to watch because they take turns choosing. 12% said they do fight over what to watch.

Methodology

We surveyed 1,000 Americans who are 18+ and in a relationship to learn about their TV watching habits before and during their relationship, as well as during COVID-19 quarantine. 

Reporters can email questions to Bailey@attsavings.com.

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