July 6, 2026, 11:11 am | Read time: 2 minutes
“The agony of choice” may be a cliché, but that doesn’t change its truth. The more options available, the harder it can be to make a decision. According to a new study, we are spending more time streaming, such as on Netflix, searching for the right content.
Searching for Something While Streaming is Paralyzing
This is not a new insight. A study published in February 2025 concluded that people are spending more time searching while streaming on Netflix and elsewhere due to the ever-growing selection. This could even lead to increased stress.
Now, a new “Screens in Motion” study by “TV Spielfilm” provides concrete numbers to support this phenomenon. According to the study, users under 29 years old spend nearly five days a year just searching for movies or series while streaming.
In the age group of 16 to 29-year-olds, fans spend an average of about 19 minutes per session choosing content. Over the course of a year, this amounts to 4.8 days. This metric assumes daily use of streaming services.
Older People Search Less
Interestingly, this number seems to decrease with age. Those aged 30 to 49 spend 15 minutes per session or 3.8 days a year. For those over 50, it’s only about 8 minutes or 2 days a year. A slight gender difference was also noted: Men take 15 minutes (3.8 days) to decide, while women take 13 minutes (3.3 days).
An important factor is whether one has read something about a movie or series beforehand. In that case, the whole process speeds up, as 68 percent of respondents reported.
Also interesting: “Why I Consider Netflix and Co. to Be Regressive”
The study is based on an online survey by YouGov from March 2026. Nearly 2,000 people aged 16 and older participated. However, it wasn’t just about streaming movies and series, but “moving image content” in general. This also includes documentaries, talk and reality shows, news, sports streams, as well as short clips on YouTube or social media.