In 10 years, “Netflix has radically changed the cultural offering”… we explain why and how

Since arriving in France ten years ago, Netflix has changed the way we consume movies and series. Be it serial marathons or content diversification, the platform has gradually changed our habits. But beyond our simple audiovisual consumption, what is its real impact on our lives?

Stéphane Dorin, Professor of Sociology at the University of Limoges, provides us with his analysis. A specialist in cultural sociology, he works on the evolution of cultural practices and lifestyles in France and the United States. In this interview, he discusses the effects of streaming on communication, family relationships, and even our mental well-being.

Stefan Dorin explains how binge watching can affect our health and why the popularity of Netflix has not affected all levels of society equally. A fascinating talk to understand how big changes the streaming giant has made to our daily practices.

AlloCiné: Thank you, Stéphane Dorin, for giving us this interview. We would like to discuss the impact of Netflix on our lives after ten years in France. How do you analyze this transformation after the arrival of the platform?

Stephen Doreen : The arrival of Netflix has radically changed the cultural offer, especially with regard to access to audiovisual media. We have to place this arrival in a context where television, radio and traditional media already dominated, but Netflix stood out thanks to its unprecedented accessibility. Access to a library of diverse content, anytime and anywhere, has attracted a large number of users, especially young people. Over time, this acceptance spread to other social groups, but the first audience was mainly young, educated and urban.

Would you say that Netflix has managed to reach all social and age categories of the French population?

Not exactly. Netflix has indeed reached a large portion of the population, but its adoption is not equal across all social categories. The platform was first used by the youngest and especially by the 18 to 35-year-olds, as well as by the more educated classes. As for the older population, they are still attached to traditional television.

This gradual diffusion reflects the classic phenomenon of new technology adoption: the young and the privileged classes adopt first, before usage becomes widespread. However, it should not be forgotten that despite its growing popularity, television remains a widely consumed medium by the French, especially among the elderly population.

Regarding the differences between traditional TV consumption and streaming platforms, what have you observed?

One of the main differences is the age of the audience. Television attracts an older audience. This trend was already there before the arrival of Netflix, but it has accelerated with the popularization of streaming platforms. Indeed, young people have gradually reduced the time they spend watching television in favor of platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video or Disney+.

It’s also a choice in timing: there are only 24 hours in a day, and what’s shown in front of Netflix is ​​often taken from traditional TV times. Despite this, statistics show that television remains an important activity for a large part of the population, for example, in the United States, about three hours a day are spent watching television.

And what about sociability? Do you think Netflix has changed the way we socialize?

This is a very interesting question. Sociologists have long observed a decline in social interaction. The amount of interaction between adults is decreasing, and this has accelerated with the rise of streaming platforms. People spend less and less time socializing or talking outside of their immediate circles. Is this a direct effect of Netflix? I wouldn’t say that, but rather that Netflix is ​​part of a larger movement.

With social networks and internal pulls, Netflix may have caught on to this trend and accelerated it. However, we must not forget that Netflix also fuels conversations: people talk about the series they watch, share their discoveries, and this fosters new forms of sociability, even if they are virtual or limited to kinship circles.

Binge watching is a common practice with Netflix. What impact might this have on our daily and social lives?

Binge watching, or marathon watching, is a practice made possible by platforms like Netflix, which make every episode of a series available at once. This immediacy and abundance of content activates the reward mechanisms in the brain, releasing dopamine, which motivates people to keep watching.

It feels good at the moment, but it can have negative consequences. First of all, it directly affects sleep. A night of binge watching means one less night of sleep, and this can cause significant fatigue, irritability, and even affect cognitive function. This behavior is not good for long-term health, especially when combined with other forms of screen addiction, such as social media. Ultimately, this may even lead to public health problems.

Are there studies on Netflix’s more global impact on society in the long run?

There are some studies that examine the effects of Netflix, but they are still limited. What we can say is that binge-watching has become a common practice, especially among young people. There are also signs of fatigue associated with this overconsumption of content. Finding a show to watch can become a chore, creating a sort of “Netflix fatigue.”

Constantly seeking new things can lead to burnout. On the other hand, the abundance of choices allows some freedom in consumption, but it ends up segmenting the audience even further. For example, we talk about very masculine or feminine content and this reinforces certain stereotypes.

Has Netflix changed the perception of cultural and social diversity?

Netflix has had quite a positive impact on cultural diversity. Subscribers have access to series and films from different origins, non-French language series or genres that are underrepresented in classic television, such as science fiction, thrillers or fantasy. This allows you to open up to foreign cultures, especially with Korean series like Squid Game.

In doing so, Netflix increases the cultural diversity that viewers are exposed to. However, this only fully benefits those who are already open to this diversity. For others, it doesn’t necessarily change their consumption habits, but it remains a very positive point of influence for Netflix.

How do you think Netflix affects family relationships?

Household television consumption had already declined long before Netflix, with the proliferation of channels and devices in homes. Netflix has accelerated the process of personalizing content consumption. Today, it is very common for each member of the family to watch their own shows, on their own screen, at a time that suits them. This further fragments the moments of sharing with family. Netflix enables on-demand consumption, which is very convenient, but it also contributes to this tendency to individualize cultural practices.

Netflix, like other platforms, has also changed the cinematic landscape. What is your view on the future of filmmaking in the age of platforms?

Netflix has clearly disrupted the movie industry, especially during the pandemic, where platforms have captured a large portion of the audience. This has led some to declare the end of theatrical cinema. However, from 2023, we see a gradual return of audiences to theaters, especially for blockbusters and cinematic events.

Cinema offers a different experience that cannot yet be reproduced. But cultural practices have changed profoundly in the two years since COVID, especially among younger generations who have massively adopted the platforms as their primary access to movies and series. The challenge for Netflix is ​​to continue to offer original and surprising content in order to maintain its status as an innovator in the industry.