Tune In to Millennials' TV Viewing Habits

Millennials have helped change the way we do some things, including how we watch TV. Their habits like binge watching and viewing on demand have rubbed off on us, although most boomers still sit in front a TV set, not a laptop like their kids.

While millennials are the most frequent bingers, boomers are not too far behind, according to the 10th annual Digital Democracy Survey. The younger crowd plops down to watch six episodes at a clip; their parents and grandparents average four episodes. Multitasking occupies most viewers but, again, millennials top out with an average of four activities: texting, surfing the web, checking email and using social media.

Every generation has fans of dramas such as House of Cards, Breaking Bad and Walking Dead. But while Walking Dead tops the charts for millennials and Gen Xers, it doesn't rank that high with boomers. Our number one show is NCIS, followed by The Big Bang Theory and The Blacklist.

Broad City, Friends (yes, the 1990s sitcom) and Gilmore Girls are millennial favorites, perhaps not surprising since all three focus on the trials and tribulations of 20-somethings. Broad City, which started as a scripted, original web series in 2009, now airs on Comedy Central. The Amy Poehler–produced show follows the misadventures of two young New Yorkers and tackles topics ranging from street harassment to work ethic (or lack thereof).

While Broad City strives for comic realism, Friends lives in a world that no longer exists. Six buddies hang out in a coffee shop, pre-cellphone era, so there's no texting or swiping right on Tinder or posting a latte on Instagram. Even though the show went off the air in 2004 after 10 seasons, millennials found it first in syndication and now on Netflix.

What's the attraction? "Even though there are unrealistic aspects to the show," says one 20-something, "the themes are completely relatable, like just trying to figure out what you're doing with your life, and needing that solid group of friends around you to help you through it all." Boomers might not have been Friends' prime audience back in the day, but many watched with their kids.