hate-watching

noun

The practice of watching a television program that one dislikes for the pleasure one derives from criticizing or mocking it.

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Meanings

nounhate-watching (uncountable)
  1. uncountableThe practice of watching a television program that one dislikes for the pleasure one derives from criticizing or mocking it.

    But the essence of hate-watching seems to take its cue from a wisecrack once made about newspapers: TV shows are never good enough, but a bad one is a joy forever.

    2012 June 3, Frazier Moore, “Hit TV we hate to love”, in The Times Leader, page 4F
    2 more examples

    In fact, hate-watching is a byproduct of a spoiled culture, awash in choices and television that aspires to greatness. You did not have hate-watching when your choices were “The Love Boat” and “Knight Rider.”

    2013 February 24, Christopher Borrelli, “What does hate-watching mean?”, in Chicago Tribune

    Ever since the phenomenon of "hate-watching" emerged — watching a detestable television show and sharing observations about its epic awfulness on social media — I have wondered if there were network execs cynical enough to create a show so bad that the only people who tuned in were hate-watchers.

    2014 January 14, Steve Cavendish, “TV Review: Crazy Hearts — A Show Designed To Be Hated”, in Nashville Scene
verb
  1. gerundparticiplepresentpresent participle and gerund of hate-watch
Cite this entry
APA

hate-watching. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/hate-watching

MLA

“hate-watching.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/hate-watching. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “hate-watching,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/hate-watching.

Source: hate-watching on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.