Study shows 'F.R.I.E.N.D.S', 'Grey's Anatomy' most binged shows of 2018
What's the story
Binging shows has become a habit now, be it with feel-good sitcoms that evoke nostalgia or straight up drama that we all love, or the intense shows that we simply cannot stop.
Years after F.R.I.E.N.D.S aired their final season, it still remains one of the most popular and beloved shows globally. Unsurprisingly, it also became 2018's most-binged show.
Read all about it here.
Study analysis
Data shows 'F.R.I.E.N.D.S' was most binged in 2018
The study which found F.R.I.E.N.D.S to be the most-binged show was conducted by TV Time.
They analyzed 12 million registered users on their app, which allows tracking, voting for and commenting on television shows.
It reflected F.R.I.E.N.D.S having the highest binge sessions.
Notably, TV Time defines binging as 4 episodes within 24 hours and this study was conducted between January 1 and December 13.
Most binged shows
What were the other shows on the list?
Apart from F.R.I.E.N.D.S, the most binged shows of 2018 include Grey's Anatomy.
In third place is 13 Reasons Why followed by Le Casa de Papel and Riverdale.
In sixth place is Brooklyn Nine-Nine followed by The 100.
Orange is the New Black holds the eighth position while The Big Bang Theory landed in the ninth spot.
Pretty Little Liars landed in the tenth place.
Popularity
Why is 'F.R.I.E.N.D.S' still so popular?
Despite F.R.I.E.N.D.S last airing 14 years ago, it still enjoys enduring popularity.
This is probably because of its availability on Netflix. It would also explain why it is the most-binged show since Netflix actively encourages binging.
However, it is not just the streaming platform, but the feel-good sitcom evokes nostalgia and Rachel, Ross, Phoebe, Joey, Monica, and Chandler make this show a timeless classic.
Opinion
Can the data be trusted, though?
Although the data establishes F.R.I.E.N.D.S as 2018's most-binged show, thus proving its popularity, the data should be questioned too.
Firstly, the app does not passively track user binging methods and viewing data, the users report it themselves.
Further, there might be more popular shows on television now, the data does not accurately represent, as they cannot be binged since new episodes are released weekly.