A Netflix executive once told The Wall Street Journal that the term "binge" sounds "pathological" to him and that he prefers the word "marathon" because it "sounds more celebratory." Call it whatever you want, the behavior has an observable effect on ratings and viewership.
The TV marathon has long been essential for building hype for the network's new content, said Andy Cohen, executive producer of Bravo's "Real Housewives" franchise and former executive vice president of original programming and development at the network.
"The cornerstone of Bravo is the marathon of Bravo shows," he told CNBC. Cohen said that after blanketing the network with reruns of "Project Runway," the premiere for the show's new season saw boosted audience numbers.
"The marathoning had worked," Cohen said.