Does anyone else plan their TV watching?

[Meruem]

I am terrible for adding things to my list on Netflix, then on any particular night just scrolling through thinking “hmm, not sure I fancy watching that tonight”.

So at the beginning of the year I sat down and made a list of things I wanted to watch. I now have scheduled nights to watch certain shows (I watch 2 a night) and I’ve found it works really well. No more wasted time trying to make a decision. It’s like the old days! When you know what you’re watching and when.

The way I do it is if it’s less than approx 10-12 episodes then I watch it once a week, or if it’s over that then twice a week. I’ve found it’s a bit like meal planning, in that if something is set then you don’t have to think about it.

Just wondering if anyone does it this way?

I don't do this personally but I quite like the idea of watching a certain series on a certain day. I might implement that myself, but would probably only watch two days a week

Hah you’ve reminded me of childhood, when we were permitted 4 hours a week to watch TV, which had to be marked out in the Radio Times. Really hard to squeeze everything in when you have to watch Neighbours every day - that’s over 2 hours on that alone!

A friend and her parents, 67, 89 and 90 don't have the internet or smartphones but do have digital TV and can, and do, record to watch later.

They get the Radio Times and each mark (colour-coded!) what they would like to watch each week. They then prioritise what to watch live (Yorkshire Vet, Yorkshire Shepherdess...) and what to record. More marking in the Radio Times.

I used to love visiting and looking through to see the plan - very satisfying and it has worked brilliantly for them as a means of providing a structure during lockdown along with carer visits.

I'm more of a 'what do I fancy now?' type viewer.

Not in such detail but I hate that feeling of not knowing what I'm doing with my evening so I do 'schedule' certain things to watch. I hate aimlessly flicking through the channels trying to 'find' something worth watching.

Something I find difficult, and vaguely thought about starting a thread on, is when you and your DH/DP have very differing views on what you like to watch. We do have a second tv but it isn't linked to Sky so you can only watch 'live' stuff which isn't always how people watch tv these days.

Of course it's much worse now we all have to stay at home, pre Covid DH and I would be out separately a few times each week and we used to joke 'it's your turn for the tv tonight' to the one who was in. . I sat through a really dreary film the other night, I know I could just get up and leave the room but occasionally I try to be sociable although my DH slept through most of it.

When I get the TV choice mag, I do tend to mark stuff then give up as it is the same time for several channels! Then I forget to watch anything or fall asleep.

Last night the ghost hunters had to work without me! I must have fallen asleep! I get particularly pissed off at myself if I have looked forward to something and I miss it through sleep!

I was confused last night as I was reading a later TV Choice (next week). Thought I would watch the Chasers but it was a doc about the Pembrokeshire Murders. Still interesting though!

No, only at Christmas time.

@peak2021

No, only at Christmas time.

I spent FIVE bloody pounds on the Xmas Radio Times and then didn't watch a thing!

My hour of box set (we have just started season 3 of a 5 season box)once all the kids have gone to bed is what gets me through the day at the moment.

I don't have Netflix but I flick through the TV guide and make a mental note of anything I might want to watch. I don't put the tv on and go through the channels in the hope of finding something. I just put it on for specific programmes and switch it off when they finish.

Yes I also bought a Christmas tv mag then watched nothing on normal tv! I really only watch Netflix and prime now. Most shows I watch are 40-50 minutes long, so 2 each evening isn’t a huge amount, well I don’t think it is.

I’ve also realised I don’t really like “binge watching”. Either the show is really good, so I then regret watching it too quickly, or it’s just moderately good in which case I get bored watching several episodes at once.

Orchid agree the Christmas Radio Times was a waste of money .... although it took nearly all of Christmas just to read through it .