How to Determine if You or Your Partner is a Stream Cheater
I’m not sure if this applies to my wife, Kathleen, and me. We stream series together, we are always looking for something we can enjoy as a couple. However, if she decides to “watch ahead” because I’m not available to do so or she can’t wait, I’m okay with that.
In the age of streaming, where couples often cozy up for binge-watching sessions, a peculiar phenomenon has emerged. It’s called streaming infidelity, but it’s also known by the name “stream cheating.” It’s a secret act that entails watching episodes further in a series without your partner. You get to experience the unveiling of plot twists, and not telling your partner about it.
A recent survey conducted by Shane Co. of over 1,000 Americans living with their partners explored this concept and revealed some rather intriguing insights. Of those surveyed, 59% admitted to falling prey to the urge to skip ahead, but rectified it by later re-watching episodes together. Then there’s the 19% who openly confessed to stream cheating without revisiting the episode. The worst, in my opinion, is the other 19% who discreetly indulged in extra episodes, and then acted surprised when watching it with their partner. Really?
The survey also highlighted when it’s considered acceptable to engage in stream cheating. More than half, 56% believe it’s justified when their partner isn’t as interested in the show. Exactly half feel it’s permissible when their partner is too busy to keep up. An additional 42% found it acceptable to skip ahead if their partner falls asleep during a riveting scene.
The survey also looked at the influence of TV genres on stream cheating behavior. Drama proved irresistible for 21% of respondents, while 20% preferred to cheat with a comedy. Reality TV also lured in another 18% of stream cheaters.
On the flip side, the study unveiled that annoying TV-watching habits can annoy partners. These include looking up spoilers (20%), falling asleep during shows (38%), excessive phone use (36%), and relentless questions (17%). I am guilty of asking all those questions, and Kathleen falls asleep occasionally.
All the New Hallmark Christmas Movies for this Year
Christmas Island
When a snowstorm diverts Kate’s first private flight en route to Switzerland to Christmas Island, she must team up with an air traffic controller to secure her dream job as the family’s pilot. Starring Rachel Skarsten and Andrew Walker.
Navigating Christmas
Recently divorced Melanie (Chelsea Hobbs) and her son Jason visit a remote island for Christmas, only to find themselves running a real working lighthouse where she connects with the curt but cute owner (Stephen Huszar).
Holiday Hotline
After leaving London, Abby (Emily Tennant) connects with an anonymous caller while working at a cooking hotline. The caller is single dad “John” (Niall Matter) who Abby unknowingly has become smitten with in real life.
Catch Me If You Claus
Avery Quinn’s (Italia Ricci) shot at anchoring news clashes with a Santa-suited intruder, Chris (Luke MacFarlane), who insists he’s Santa’s son on a first Christmas mission. They unravel a career-making story together.
Letters To Santa
When young siblings receive a magic pen from Santa that appears to be granting wishes, they request a Christmas gift they want more than anything – for their separated parents to reunite. Starring Katie Leclerc and Rafael de la Fuente.
Holiday Road
When bad weather leaves each of them stranded at the airport for the holidays, a tech entrepreneur (Warren Christie), a travel writer (Sara Canning), a devoted mother (Enid-Raye Adams) and her son (Kiefer O’Reilly), a stubborn senior (Trevor Lerner), an enigmatic woman with a hint of mystery (Brittany Willacy), a couple traveling from Hong Kong (Sharon Crandall, Ryan Mah) and a social media influencer (Princess Davis) all agree to rent a shared van to embark on a road trip to Denver. When their unexpected journey brings them into uncharted territory, they navigate a series of misadventures together and form a deeper bond that just might change the trajectories of each of their lives. Inspired by true events.
Our Christmas Mural
Olivia (Alex Paxton-Beesley), a single mom, returns home for Christmas. Her mom secretly enters her into a mural contest; she wins but partners with teacher Will (Dan Jeannotte) to create a Christmas masterpiece.
A Biltmore Christmas
Lucy Hardgrove (Bethany Joy Lenz) is a screenwriter who lands the job of a lifetime when she’s hired to pen the script for a remake of the beloved holiday movie, His Merry Wife! First filmed in 1947 at beautiful, historic Biltmore House, it has long been considered a Christmas classic. When the head of the studio isn’t satisfied with the ending Lucy wrote because it deviates from the original’s feel-good conclusion, he sends Lucy to Biltmore Estate for research and inspiration. While there, she unwittingly discovers the ability to travel to the 1947 set of His Merry Wife! through the help of an hourglass. After shaking off the initial shock of this turn of events, Lucy embraces this as her chance to uncover the truth about the movie’s original ending. While on set, she and Jack Huston (Kristoffer Polaha), one of the film’s stars, spend time together and become close. But her sudden appearance has set off a chain of events that put the production in jeopardy. Before she can return to the present, Lucy must make things right or threaten to alter the future forever.
My Norwegian Holiday
JJ (Rhiannon Fish), grieving the loss of her grandmother and seeking dissertation inspiration, stumbles upon an unexpected holiday destiny. Meeting Henrik (David Elsendoorn), a Norwegian from Bergen, their connection deepens when he discovers she has a troll figurine from his hometown. To explore the troll’s history and her grandmother’s ties, JJ agrees to join Henrik on a journey to Norway. In Bergen, they’re drawn into Henrik’s family Christmas and wedding traditions, with his sister’s wedding day the day before Christmas Eve. JJ embarks on a holiday adventure, uncovering the troll’s origins and finding her own path to healing, love and family.
A Not So Royal Christmas
Tabloid journalist Charlotte (Brooke D’Orsay) attempts to land an interview with a reclusive Count. In response, the royal family has a groundskeeper (Will Kemp) pose as the Count since the real one fled years ago.
Christmas with a Kiss
A woman (Mishael Morgan) returns home to help with her family’s Christmas Carnival and romance ignites. A photo journalist (Ronnie Rowe Jr.) curates a surprise reunion. Also stars Jaime M. Callica.
Magic in Mistletoe
Harrington (Paul Campbell) is the author of a popular book but commercial success has left him a bitter recluse. As he returns to his hometown for an annual Christmas festival celebrating his books, he’s joined by April (Lyndie Greenwood), a publicist for the major publishing house he works with. April is there for damage control after Harrington’s recent comments on social media has ruffled some feathers. But as she gets to know him better, hope springs that April can unlock Harrington’s guarded heart and help him discover the spirit of the holiday.
Christmas on Cherry Lane
A young couple preparing to welcome their first child (John Brotherton, Erin Cahill); an empty-nester (Catherine Bell) and her fiance (James Denton) ready to start a new chapter; and a couple (Jonathan Bennett, Vincent Rodriguez III) who unexpectedly have the chance to expand their family on Christmas Eve celebrate the holiday as they navigate these turning point in their lives.
Round and Round
Rachel’s (Vic Michaelis) stuck in a time loop, reliving the night of her parents’ Hanukkah party. Can Zach (Bryan Greenberg), the “nice boy” Grandma’s trying to set her up with, help her make it to tomorrow? Also starring Rick Hoffman.
The Secret Gift of Christmas
Bonnie (Meghan Ory) is a personal shopper who helps her widowed client Patrick (Christopher Russell) reconnect with his young daughter. Though their ideas of shopping couldn’t be more different, she’s determined to get them everything on their wish list.
Sealed with a List
Festive Carley (Katie Findlay) sets out to conquer her list of abandoned resolutions from last year. Aided by co-worker Wyatt (Evan Roderick), she finds love and the confidence to chase her dreams.
Friends & Family Christmas
Two women agree to pretend they’re dating to appease their respective parents during the holidays. However, as they spend more time together, they start to build a connection that’s deeper than either of them could have hoped for. Starring Humberly Gonzalez and Ali Liebert.
