The Rise of YouTube Binges in a Post-Pandemic World
A New Kind of Binge
Before the world was swept into isolation by Covid-19, I had never heard of YouTube binges.
Like most people, I was familiar with Netflix marathon. Those sessions where you burn through an entire season of a gripping show in one sitting, driven by the need for closure. Or simply the thrill of immersion. Sometimes, these viewing sprees are meticulously planned, set aside for a long weekend or a much-needed holiday. Just like picking out a novel to savor during vacation. Other times, they’re spontaneous—sparked by a friend’s recommendation or a glowing review online. The result is the same: you’re hooked, unable to walk away until the final episode rolls.
But when the pandemic hit and life retreated indoors, a new kind of binge emerged. This time, it wasn’t Netflix or any of the other streaming giants that filled the void. It was YouTube. A platform I’d always thought of as a place for quick tutorials, music videos, or the occasional viral clip. Suddenly, YouTube became my window to the world, and I wasn’t alone.
YouTube vs. Netflix: Worlds Apart
At first glance, binge-watching on YouTube might seem similar to Netflix. Both involve hours of uninterrupted viewing and the irresistible urge to see what happens next. But the similarities end there. Netflix is, at its core, an entertainment channel, offering a curated selection of movies, TV shows, and documentaries. Its content is polished, produced by professionals, and designed to entertain.
YouTube, on the other hand, is a sprawling universe of content created by millions of individuals from every corner of the globe. It’s not just about entertainment. It’s about information, education, and authentic, unscripted glimpses into other people’s lives.
YouTube is where you go to learn how to build a garden shed, follow someone’s journey sailing around the world, or discover how sardines are caught and canned in Portugal. The sheer breadth of content is staggering, and the platform’s open nature means there’s something for everyone—no matter how niche your interests may be.
Watching With Purpose
What sets YouTube apart is the sense of purpose that often drives its viewers. Unlike Netflix, where you might passively consume whatever’s trending, YouTube invites you to pursue a goal. Maybe you want to learn a new skill, get inspired by someone else’s journey, or simply satisfy your curiosity about how things work. YouTube’s most popular genres reflect this diversity:
- Travel and adventure
- Culture and history
- Engineering and “how it’s made”
- Gaming walk-throughs
- Product reviews
- Comedy skits
- Quirky pet videos
- Vlogs and personal journeys
Each genre offers a different kind of satisfaction, but they all share one thing in common: they’re created by real people, often for audiences who see themselves reflected in the content.
The Allure of Vlogging
Among YouTube’s many genres, vlogging stands out. Vloggers are everyday people who invite viewers into their lives, sharing their successes and setbacks with refreshing honesty. One standout example is “Tom Pemberton Farm Life,” where Tom, a down-to-earth farmer in Lancashire, documents his daily chores and the challenges of running a family farm.
With over 420,000 subscribers, Tom’s channel is a testament to the power of authenticity—viewers feel like they’re right there with him, learning about the names of his bulls, the rhythms of farm life, and the joys and frustrations of working the land.
What makes vlogs so compelling is the sense of community they foster. Viewers aren’t just passive spectators; they become part of the journey. Many subscribe to support their favorite creators, some even contributing financially as patrons. For those who dream of embarking on similar adventures but can’t, vlogs offer a way to live vicariously—sharing in the highs and lows, the triumphs and the setbacks.
Sailing Into the Unknown: My YouTube Binge Journey
My own YouTube binge began with a fascination for sailing. Isolated at home during the pandemic, I found myself captivated by channels documenting the adventures of people who had traded their landlocked lives for the open sea. I would watch up to ten episodes a day, swept along by their stories of perseverance, ingenuity, and discovery.
“Sailing Uma,” for example, follows Dan, a Canadian, and Kika, a Haitian, who met in architecture school and decided to buy a secondhand yacht, fix it up, and set sail. Their journey is equal parts inspiring and educational, offering a crash course in boat restoration and seamanship for beginners.
Another favorite is “White Spot Pirates,” where Nike Steiger buys a dilapidated 37-foot yacht, restores it herself, and embarks on a solo voyage. Watching her overcome obstacles and defy expectations is both humbling and motivating. There’s a tinge of envy, of course—who wouldn’t want to trade the monotony of lockdown for the thrill of adventure? But there’s also a sense of camaraderie, a recognition that these journeys are as much about personal growth as they are about travel.
Perhaps the most remarkable story is that of Riley Whitelum and Elayna Caruso, the Australian couple behind “Sailing La Vagabonde.” What began as a novice adventure has blossomed into a seven-year odyssey, complete with two young children born along the way. With over 1.6 million subscribers and 343 million views, their channel is a testament to the power of dreaming big and sharing those dreams with the world[1].
Cycling the World: Another YouTube Subculture
Travel isn’t limited to the high seas. Another subgenre that captured my imagination is long-distance cycling. YouTube is full of channels documenting epic bike journeys—across continents, through remote villages, and over mountain passes. What’s remarkable is how accessible these adventures are. With careful planning and a bit of resolve, anyone can set out on a cycling journey, whether it’s a few weeks or several years. YouTube has made these stories visible, inspiring countless viewers to dust off their bikes and hit the road.
The Science of Binge-Watching on YouTube
While there’s plenty of research on Netflix binges, YouTube’s binge-watching phenomenon is less documented. But the evidence is everywhere. Scroll through the comments on any long-running channel, and you’ll find viewers confessing to having just discovered the channel and binge-watched every episode to catch up. It’s a common refrain, and it speaks to the addictive nature of YouTube’s content.
Part of what makes binge-watching on YouTube so easy is the platform’s playlist feature. Borrowed from the music industry, playlists allow creators to group episodes by topic, event, or even calendar year. This means viewers can dive deep into a specific journey—like the eight-episode saga of “Sailing La Vagabonde” bringing Greta Thunberg across the Atlantic, or a 184-episode playlist chronicling three years of adventures. The flexibility to choose what and how much to watch is a key part of YouTube’s appeal.
The Joy of Discovery
What keeps viewers coming back to YouTube, binge after binge, is the joy of discovery. Unlike the polished, predictable world of mainstream entertainment, YouTube is full of surprises. One day you might stumble upon a documentary about salmon farming in Norway; the next, you’re learning how young tuna are intercepted and farmed off the coast of South Australia.
These stories aren’t just fascinating—they offer a window into worlds most of us would never otherwise see. Sometimes, they even pivot into unexpected territory, like learning how pioneering fishermen have become millionaires, fueling local economies and transforming entire industries.
Why We Binge
So why do we binge on YouTube? The reasons are as varied as the content itself. For some, it’s about learning—acquiring new skills, insights, or perspectives. For others, it’s about inspiration—watching ordinary people achieve extraordinary things. And for many, it’s about connection—feeling part of a global community, even when the world outside feels distant and inaccessible.
Unlike traditional TV or even Netflix, YouTube’s open platform means anyone can become a creator, and anyone can find their tribe. Whether you’re into travel, cycling, farming, or something as obscure as canning sardines, there’s a channel—and a community—waiting for you.
The Future of YouTube Binges
As the world slowly returns to normal, the habits we formed during lockdown are likely to endure. YouTube binges have become not just a way to pass the time, but a way to learn, connect, and dream. They remind us that adventure is possible, even from the confines of our living rooms.
And perhaps most importantly, they show us that the world is full of stories worth telling—and worth watching, one episode at a time.