'Netflix Adultery:' Instant Queue 'Cheating' Is Actually Ruining Relationships, Study Shows

Have you ever looked forward to watching a show on Netflix with your better half, only to find out he or she already watched it on their own? You're not alone. It’s called “Netflix adultery,” and it’s a growing epidemic.

A study conducted by the popular video-streaming service confirmed that “Netflix adultery” can be a serious issue for modern couples. Of the 2,000 American adults included in the survey, 12 percent admitted to watching ahead on shows that they had promised to watch with their partners, New York Magazine reports.

On the other hand, 10 percent of the study’s participants acknowledged they'd been victimized by “Netflix adultery,” New York Magazine reports. In other words, either 2 percent of the offended parties are unaware of their partner’s indiscretions, or the adulterers are offending multiple parties.

Ironically, most “Netflix adultery” occurs right under the partner’s nose. According to the study, 66 percent of cheaters watched the programs “at home by themselves on the main TV,” New York reports. Meanwhile, 12 percent of cheaters would rewatch the programs with their partners and pretend to be seeing them for the first time, while 14 percent felt so bad that they confessed their cheating.

Netflix adultery is also far more prevalent among men than women. According to the study, 77 percent of men aged 18 to 34 would have no problem cheating, while just 57 percent of women felt the same. Users in committed relationships fared slightly better: Only 51 percent of devoted adults said they would give in to Netflix’s siren song, New York Magazine reports.

Ted Sarandos, Netflix’s chief content officer, doesn’t want betrayed users to take out their frustration on the company. “Netflix continues to revolutionize entertainment by letting our members watch great content whenever and wherever they want, which seems to be leading to a cultural phenomenon of ‘stream cheating’,” he said, according to the magazine.

“That said, Netflix can’t be held responsible for any trust issues, lovers’ spats or marital troubles that arise from watching ahead of your partner. We also will not cover any therapy sessions. As always, we advise to watch responsibly.”