There’s a reason why we can’t stop keeping up with the Kardashians and we hate ourselves (and apparently them) for it.
According to data-analytics startup Canvs, expressions of hatred toward dramas and reality TV shows were the strongest indicator that viewership for the following episode would increase. If you needed any more evidence that humans are inherently masochists, look no further.
In Canvs’ research, each percentage point increase in “hate” responses corresponded to a 0.7 percent increase in viewers for the next episode in the series. On the flip side, “love” responses corresponded to only an 0.3 percent increase for dramas and 0.2 percent increase for reality TV. Translation: We care less about LIKING Kim Kardashian than we do finding joy in watching her cry over losing her million-dollar earrings.
If you’re more into comedy, you’ll be more inclined to keep watching if you “loved” an episode or found something “beautiful.” Translation: Who says comedies need humor? Just make ’em pretty and emotionally salient and you’re good to go. You’re welcome, networks.
However, a 1 percent rise in “funny” responses for dramas created an 0.3 percent increase in viewers. I guess Joffrey Baratheon on “Game of Thrones” could be kind of funny when he wasn’t chopping off Ned Stark’s head or torturing Sansa Stark or ripping out tongues … or not.
Canvs cross-referenced Nielsen ratings of 5,709 episodes that aired between January 2014 and June 2015 with tweets about each show, categorizing them by emotion (such as “hate,” “love,” “boring” and “beautiful”). So the next time you’re popping off on Twitter about how much you hated Chad on “The Bachelorette,” know that someone is watching and compiling that into data proving that hate-watching is real.
@shelbielbostedt | sbostedt@redeyechicago.com
