Hate-watching and consuming media.
Feb. 9th, 2019 02:53 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rogueslayer452As a topic for discussion, I've always been curious about the concept of hate-watching, and just why some people partake in it.
I feel like there are two types of hate-watching, the first is when a show someone initially likes suddenly declines in quality and despite their frustrations they try to hold out as long as possible hoping that somehow there'll be an upturn at some point, and even if it doesn't they'll be a "true fan" and begrudgingly stick with it until the bitter end. The second is when one knows they won't like something but will hate-watch it anyway just to rant about how bad it is after the fact. It's mainly the latter I'm interested in examining.
While the notion of mocking or being entertained by something for being terrible isn't new, since we've all had moments where we derive enjoyment watching certain trainwrecks occur or read up on the current drama happening in wherever online, hate-watching in itself has become more common nowadays with people wanting to see the fuss over something being declared "bad". It creates a certain curiosity and mild entertainment, which is understandable. However, I do think this also creates a problem especially when there are certain algorithms that determine the popularity of something via views, since algorithms and companies only care about the numbers, not morality. Even if it gets negative publicity for having, say, insensitive and offensive content, if you hate-watch something you're still giving it views and attention especially if you're talking about it online, thereby it gains even more popularity. This goes for watching anything from streaming services to YouTube videos from a specific individual, because it tells the higher ups that this is what people are interested in, no matter whether you actually like it or not, because again numbers matter more than morality. And I feel like a lot of people know this, and yet somehow we're still so tempted to click that link or to tune into something despite knowing what we're contributing. Then there's the trap of, "well, if I don't see it how will I know if it's actually as bad as they say", which also adds to that contribution as well. Either way, it creates this inescapable dilemma.
In general though, I've always been confused by the act of hate-watching as a whole. I'm not referring to being critical of the things you love and care for, since that's more of being objective and analytical about something that you hold dear to your heart, which that I can understand and I do quite frequently. I'm talking about watching something for the sake of hating on it, whether it's a "just because" thing or if you once liked the thing but no longer do, for whatever reason, and yet still partake in watching only to get more and more frustrated and angry with it. Just the act itself, getting worked up, wasting your time and energy over something that you have absolutely no enjoyment in whatsoever, I don't understand.
(Then again, there are those who do this for a living, who actually sit down and consume something they know they won't like but it's for the review/analysis/discussion that comes along with it. But I think that is a different thing altogether and separate from the general live hate-watching some do that is more rage-inducing than adding anything constructive.)
I don't know, this post is kind of random and sort of all over the place especially towards the end. All of this was mostly prompted by something I read regarding how Netflix tracks the views of a show which got me thinking about hate-watching and why people do it, and how it actually is a part of why certain things end up becoming more popular than others, and so on. It's just a fascinating subject when it comes to how we consume media and how our viewing habits affect the entertaining industry. It also got me wondering about the responsibility we have as consumers versus the responsibility of the industry, since no matter whether it's Nielsen or an algorithm the system is not going to be 100% accurate or effective.
I feel like there are two types of hate-watching, the first is when a show someone initially likes suddenly declines in quality and despite their frustrations they try to hold out as long as possible hoping that somehow there'll be an upturn at some point, and even if it doesn't they'll be a "true fan" and begrudgingly stick with it until the bitter end. The second is when one knows they won't like something but will hate-watch it anyway just to rant about how bad it is after the fact. It's mainly the latter I'm interested in examining.
While the notion of mocking or being entertained by something for being terrible isn't new, since we've all had moments where we derive enjoyment watching certain trainwrecks occur or read up on the current drama happening in wherever online, hate-watching in itself has become more common nowadays with people wanting to see the fuss over something being declared "bad". It creates a certain curiosity and mild entertainment, which is understandable. However, I do think this also creates a problem especially when there are certain algorithms that determine the popularity of something via views, since algorithms and companies only care about the numbers, not morality. Even if it gets negative publicity for having, say, insensitive and offensive content, if you hate-watch something you're still giving it views and attention especially if you're talking about it online, thereby it gains even more popularity. This goes for watching anything from streaming services to YouTube videos from a specific individual, because it tells the higher ups that this is what people are interested in, no matter whether you actually like it or not, because again numbers matter more than morality. And I feel like a lot of people know this, and yet somehow we're still so tempted to click that link or to tune into something despite knowing what we're contributing. Then there's the trap of, "well, if I don't see it how will I know if it's actually as bad as they say", which also adds to that contribution as well. Either way, it creates this inescapable dilemma.
In general though, I've always been confused by the act of hate-watching as a whole. I'm not referring to being critical of the things you love and care for, since that's more of being objective and analytical about something that you hold dear to your heart, which that I can understand and I do quite frequently. I'm talking about watching something for the sake of hating on it, whether it's a "just because" thing or if you once liked the thing but no longer do, for whatever reason, and yet still partake in watching only to get more and more frustrated and angry with it. Just the act itself, getting worked up, wasting your time and energy over something that you have absolutely no enjoyment in whatsoever, I don't understand.
(Then again, there are those who do this for a living, who actually sit down and consume something they know they won't like but it's for the review/analysis/discussion that comes along with it. But I think that is a different thing altogether and separate from the general live hate-watching some do that is more rage-inducing than adding anything constructive.)
I don't know, this post is kind of random and sort of all over the place especially towards the end. All of this was mostly prompted by something I read regarding how Netflix tracks the views of a show which got me thinking about hate-watching and why people do it, and how it actually is a part of why certain things end up becoming more popular than others, and so on. It's just a fascinating subject when it comes to how we consume media and how our viewing habits affect the entertaining industry. It also got me wondering about the responsibility we have as consumers versus the responsibility of the industry, since no matter whether it's Nielsen or an algorithm the system is not going to be 100% accurate or effective.
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no subject
Date: 2019-02-09 02:20 pm (UTC)A friend of mine had some interesting thoughts on the concept of hate watching actually, she feels like a show must have *some* merit if it’s considered remarkable enough in some way to get viewers outraged and discussing it, because if a show really is completely dire then wouldn’t more people just be too bored or disgusted to even watch? Shows like Gossip Girl, Vampire Diaries, and Pretty Little Liars are notorious for being ripped apart by their fanbase, but there still must be something there in the first place if people are still so invested in them, you don’t see the same kind of passionate discussion with other teen shows like One Tree Hill or 90210 for example. She’s definitely of the school of thought that it says something positive if enough people are discussing and watching, and I’m sure the networks have that same viewpoint
no subject
Date: 2019-02-11 07:03 am (UTC)Yeah, I find that I have very little patience for things that don't keep my interest or that aggravates me with the direction it's going in. With so many viewing options now, binge-watching, and so many shows to catch-up on, I don't have the time and energy to continue on with something that feels more like a chore to watch.
but there still must be something there in the first place if people are still so invested in them, you don’t see the same kind of passionate discussion with other teen shows like One Tree Hill or 90210 for example.
I would argue that with the shows mentioned (The Vampire Diaries, Gossip Girl, Pretty Little Liars) that there is a slight intentional way the writers handle things within the shows themselves to illicit such a reaction. Which has become more common now that writers/showrunners/execs know that this is how they can gain a reaction to get attention, esp viral attention, no matter how negative because they know people will most likely be watching in regardless, whether as a fan or for hate-watching purposes. Take a look at what happened with things like 13 Reasons Why and Insatiable, both shows gathered negative reviews and sparked outrage, but both shows ended up getting renewed due the hate-watching and publicity. Why? Because controversy sells. Gossip Girl was basically a trashy teen show that thrived off the drama that came from its own existence (ex: they did a promo for the show that had excerpts from concerned parents thinking how the show was horrible and bad) so even if it got bad some people were hooked at how bad it was still gonna get; alternatively TVD and PLL both started off relatively good in the beginning, but declined the longer they went on. I know I held onto PLL longer than I probably should have, but like my first point I was still holding onto the sliver of something because I adored the characters no matter how nonsensical it became, but of course even I had a breaking point for that show.
I don't know where I'm going with this really, because it's an interesting topic worth thinking more about and discussing. But really, as far as the merits of these shows, it really just depends on the individual fan, I think. Some probably genuinely like something even if it's trashy/ridiculous/nonsensical. What is one person's trash is another's treasure, and all that. But I do think that networks really bank on doing something that gets people talking, no matter what it is.