For some, binge watching is a convenience. For others, it’s less expensive than monthly cable bills.

Here are the responses from several Arkansans when asked about their binge viewing habits.

Susan Anderson of Little Rock says she started binge viewing a couple of years ago because, “I did not have cable and this was a way to see the ‘in’ shows.”

She subscribes to Netflix and has binged on Bones and Downton Abbey, but six are the most episodes she has watched in one sitting. Does she zone out bingeing on the couch?

“No. I will do other things like laundry. I can stop and start the show and not miss anything. I don’t feel like I lose track of time because I am scheduling the shows I want to watch around my schedule instead of scheduling my life around a TV show.”

TK Garrick of Little Rock says she prefers to borrow or buy entire series.

“I think our first binge watching was Nip/Tuck because my sister recommended that. We’ve also binged on Game of Thrones and Downton Abbey.

“We probably watched 12 episodes in one weekend, sometimes until 2 in the morning. We did lose track of time when we were so caught up in the story lines. I went to bed several nights dreaming of castles and dragons with Game of Thrones!”

Savanna Goforth of Cabot says, “Hulu Plus is mostly TV shows and with Netflix you get movies. I love both.”

She says all of her family members have given up cable for this less expensive alternative. They enjoy bingeing on Bones, CSI and The Walking Dead.

“My 13-year-old watches Pretty Little Liars and The Carrie Diaries, Switched at Birth and her Disney shows. My two nephews - who are 7 and 2 - watch Yo Gabba Gabba! and Cartoon Network on Netflix. It’s a weekly thing.”

Her longest binge?

“We did watch a season of True Blood in one sitting. We made a weekend of it. And Merlin too. I hate that they canceled it.”

Steve Lavendusky of Alexander says he and his wife, Sarah, enjoy Netflix and just added Hulu.

“We got rid of satellite and don’t even miss it,” Lavendusky says. He adds they “don’t have much free time with work, school and extra activities, but we can burn up a whole day watching a program from the start to the end.”

Their binge list includes Army Wives, Sons of Anarchy, Bones and Survivor, “just to name a few.”

“It’s sometimes funny when even the kids are, like, ‘Hurry and hit the start button for the next episode,’” he says.

Shannon Griffin from England works nights as a security officer and finds watching television in a traditional sense to be challenging.

“I am thankful for streaming services, such as Hulu, Netflix and network websites. These services make it very convenient to catch up on any episodes I may have missed of my favorite series.

“Another favorite is the availability of full seasons through Netflix. I was late in finding out about great shows such as Breaking Bad and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. I was able to catch up on the full series in just a few days.”

One of the best things about bingeing, Griffin says, “is the ability to stop viewing in the rare event that something more pressing pops up.”

He also notes the temptation to overindulge.

“I am aware that this, as with any other habit, can lead to excess. So I try to maintain some semblance of moderation. I never watch more than one season in a single sitting, allowing myself to go outside to work, run errands, or to simply feel the sun on my face.

“Yes, binge viewing can be very convenient, but please, watch responsibly.”

Style, Pages 34 on 01/14/2014