Howdy finds nearly three-quarters of Americans consider watching TV a key part of self-care

It’s not just bubble baths and yoga mats—self-care often comes with a remote. In a new survey conducted by Howdy, Roku’s recently launched ad-free Streaming Video On Demand (SVOD) service, most Americans say familiar, feel-good, and beloved shows and movies are an essential part of unwinding and relaxing.

Rewatchability is the secret sauce: viewers return to fan-favorite stories again and again, and the feeling never gets old. The survey found that TV viewers have watched their go-to program seven times, on average.

In partnership with Harris Insights & Analytics, Howdy commissioned the poll to understand the trend of returning to trusted favorites.

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Self-care, but make it streaming

Self-care takes many forms—but for 73% of Americans, watching TV is a key part of their weekly routine, outranking exercise (59%), scrolling (56%), or hobbies (53%). Nothing brings peace of mind like rewatching a favorite rom-com or rediscovering a beloved title from your younger years; most viewers (65%) turn to familiar shows and movies from their youth when they want to relax. Millennials (75%) and Gen Z (78%) in particular love revisiting titles from the 90s–10s.

“Watching TV isn’t just downtime—it’s wellness,” said Lisa Holme, Head of Content at Roku. “Viewers happily return to shows and characters they know and trust from their youth.”

When people settle in to unwind, they’re often choosing a series over a film: more than half of viewers say their go-to watch is a TV show, compared to 31% who opt for a movie.

You may have heard of “couch rotting,” but Zoomers are upping the ante. Seventy-three percent of Gen Z prefer watching their favorite entertainment in bed instead of on the couch. In fact, bed binging beats couch rotting for 53% of TV watchers. So grab your best blanket, get some snacks, lock in, and get streaming.

Stick with what you know

When it comes to streaming as self-care, the familiar beats the unknown. Seventy percent of viewers agree that rewatching movies and shows they’ve already seen is the best experience when they want to relax.

“In general, when people are looking to unwind, they want something familiar that they know is going to make them feel a certain way,” said Holme. “TV viewing is no different. People are more likely to find this relaxation by rewatching the show or movie they’re confident they can connect to on an emotional level.”

While the preference for rewatching spans generations, no one rewinds quite like Millennials: they’re twice as likely as Boomers to report watching their favorite show over 15 times.

The best way to unwind is to laugh

Across ages, people love to laugh. Comedy is the top genre for winding down, including for more than half of Millennials.

Viewers also gravitate to series that make them feel connected. According to the poll, Michael Scott (The Office) tops the list of fictional TV characters viewers say they’d most want to hang out with.

Meanwhile, where older generations lean toward True Crime and Procedurals, Gen Z is more likely than Gen X and Boomers to choose romance (34% vs. 19% and 14%) or fantasy/sci‑fi (38% vs. 29% and 15%).

Howdy: Great stories you’ll love to rewatch

Howdy makes it easy to access great stories that help viewers relax—critically acclaimed films and beloved, rewatchable favorites—without interruptions. For just $2.99/month, subscribers can return to the movies and series they love, from iconic crowd-pleasers to award-winning classics.

While many viewers enjoy revisiting familiar favorites, some film franchises still top America’s “Need to Watch” list. The top five movies viewers are making an effort to watch are: Happy Gilmore, Fast & Furious, Kill Bill, Sex and the City: The Movie, and Scary Movie. Howdy subscribers can watch all five from the comfort of their own beds for less than the price of a cup of coffee.

Beyond bingeable hits, Howdy’s catalog showcases quality—acclaimed titles and beloved classics alongside modern favorites. Think The Graduate and My Best Friend’s Wedding, right alongside the quotable comedies and blockbuster franchises fans return to again and again. Whether it’s a movie you can recite word-for-word or an iconic series you never got around to, Howdy makes self-care simpler—and more rewatchable—than ever.