Bad news ahead of Valentine’s Day this week: your significant other is probably Netflix cheating on you.
According to a new Netflix study, nearly half (46%) of streaming couples around the world have “cheated” on their significant other. Netflix cheating (defined as watching a joint TV show ahead of your significant other) was first uncovered in a U.S. study in 2013. Four years later, cheating has increased three timesand has become a common behaviour around the world. This behaviour only continues to grow with 60% of consumers saying they’d cheat more if they knew they’d get away with it. And once you cheat, you can’t stop: 81% of cheaters are repeat offenders and 44% have cheated 3+ times.
Here’s what we know about this infidelity:
-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%).
-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.
-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.”
-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.
-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.
Check out some fun additional statistics below about Netflix cheating and make sure to keep a close eye on your partner this Valentine’s Day in case they’re stepping out on you too!
