Streaming: New ways to save time or procrastinate even more?

This study addresses the interactivity of streaming and the changes that have been brought to how people watch television. The main goal of this research is to find out how streaming in general influences procrastination. Using a previous study as a model, relationships between ego depletion, procrastination, guilt, enjoyment, vitality, recovery experience, passion, and intrinsic needs satisfaction were tested using data from an online survey (N = 473). Results suggest that although an individual may procrastinate more after streaming (interactive media use) than after watching traditional television (noninteractive media use), subsequent negative effects typically associated with procrastination such as guilt and obsessive passion are lower in comparison to traditional television. Positive effects, such as recovery experience, harmonious passion, and enjoyment, are also more prevalent in streaming than in traditional television. Furthermore, not only have popular streaming platforms provided thousands of hours of TV content to be watched online at anytime, hit shows like Orange Is The New Black and House of Cards can only be watched online. With streaming giving more control to the viewer than ever before, this thesis will focus on whether this way of watching television will help users save time or procrastinate even more. These findings are an important step in understanding the role of streaming in a world where television is increasingly watched online and the user is in control rather than depending on traditional linear programming.