Binge watching TV: the next great NZ date night

In recent years, popular culture has embraced the idea of the TV date night: the idea that binge watching a new show together is the height of romance. We wanted to see if NZ singles agreed. Our newest survey asked 200 Kiwis aged 18-69 for their thoughts on how television can influence attraction.

As it turns out, Kiwis think your choice in TV says a lot about you: not only do 62% think that putting your favourite shows in your online profile is a great way to meet a like-minded date, 66% feel that being a fan of the right shows can actually make you more interesting!

Is it you or is it me? Actually, it’s Shortland Street

So what are these ‘right’ shows? Opinions are divided but, ultimately, the show that grants the most kudos is The Big Bang Theory. Indeed, 29% of singles agree that being interested in The Big Bang can make you seem more attractive. Second place goes to Game of Thrones, with 23% thinking that fans of that series are automatically more intriguing; while NCIS takes out third place with 22%.

Of course, there is a flip side to this coin: the survey also revealed that there are TV shows that are seen as off-putting. Leading the pack (by a wide margin) is Shortland Street: 48% of Kiwi singles think that being a fan of Ferndale makes you less attractive. Other TV turn-offs include loving The Walking Dead (a no-no for 35% of singles), and being mad for Modern Family (a repellant for 18%).

READ MORE: Our recent ‘First Date Deal-breakers’ survey revealed some more unusual Kiwi turn-offs. Rate them here!

Who wants to have a binge watching TV date anyway?

It would also seem that popular culture is right about the effect of TV on romantic nights in: more than half of NZ singles enthusiastically embrace the idea of a TV date night. Of course, the overall eagerness for a binge watching session waxes and wanes with age, and it’s 30-39 year olds who are the most in favour (63% believe that starting a new box set together is a dreamy way to spend an evening). 60% of 18-29 years olds agree, along with 51% of those aged 40-49, 51% of those 50-59, and 54% of those 60-69.

However, before you and your partner cuddle up on the couch for your TV date, you have to decide what show to watch. The safe choice is a comedy: 45% of men and 38% of women think that this is the genre best suited to a night in front of the box. After that, things get trickier: men’s next favourite genre is romance (23%), followed by fantasy (11%), while women prefer to temper their comedy with fantasy (21%) and with thrillers (13%). We can only hope that someday soon we’ll see a show about wise-cracking, dragon riding, international spies who fall in love while robbing a bank and everyone will be happy.

READ MORE: Our ‘second date’ survey uncovered some more dating differences between men and women. Find them here.

Netflix and chill: the celebrity edition

Binge watching TV with your one and only might be romantic but there’s always a chance that thier mind is elsewhere! Indeed, the survey also revealed the celebrities that New Zealanders most want to cuddle up on the couch with (or even ‘Netflix and chill’ with).

For men it’s Kaley Cuoco (the blonde, bubbly Penny from The Big Bang Theory), then Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen, Game of Thrones) and Antonia Prebble (Rita West, Westside).

Meanwhile – spoiler alert – women will be relieved by this year’s Game of Thrones resurrection: their most coveted celebrity is Kit Harrington, aka the broodingly handsome Jon Snow, followed by by Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock Holmes, Sherlock) and Robbie Magasiva (Will Jackson, Wentworth).

READ MORE: Our ‘Love and Politics’ survey revealed the politicians that Kiwis find attractive – discover who’s the hottest in the House here!

EliteSingles editorial, June 2016

If you have any questions for the editorial team, or if you would like to contact our PR representitive about this survey, then please leave us a message below or write to [email protected]