One might think of such a dark time when nearly 300,000 lives were lost worldwide due to the coronavirus and more than 33 million Americans are unemployed, some comic relief would be welcome with open arms.
But instead of watching comedies like "The Hangover" or "Broad City", Americans watch dramas like "Contagion" on Netflix
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rent "Donnie Darko" on Amazon Prime, YouTube
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They also listen to more music from Mozart and other classical music and Louis Armstrong than traditional artists like Kanye West and Billie Eilish, according to data from TasteDive, a recommendation engine.
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“The fact that people don't go out makes them more introspective. Listening to music to go out and have fun is not exactly the tenor of time. "
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Since shelter orders were made on the site in early March, interest in classical music has increased by almost 13% compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, dance and electronic music fell by almost 20%, revealed TasteDive.
Based on recommendations made to over 80 million users, TasteDive compared traffic directed to sites to buy books, watch movies, or listen to music during that time, and compared it at the exact time of last year. (The report does not take into account new programs like Tiger King which did not exist last year.)
"This is a testament to the enormous anxiety in the world now that people are adapting to a new lifestyle," said Alex Elias, founder and CEO of Qloo, a company that specializes in making recommendations from entertainment using artificial intelligence. Qloo, who acquired TasteDive last year, receives funding from celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio and Elton John.
"The fact that people don't go out makes them more introspective," said Elias. "Listening to music for going out and having fun is not exactly the tenor of the era." Meanwhile, classical music "is more lasting and relaxing".
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When it comes to TV shows and movies, Elias suspects consumers are drawn to heavier dramas on comedies because they are looking for something they can get away from for a longer period of time. "Unlike a two-hour flight, we don't really know how long we will have to do social distance."
Americans are turning to fictional fiction books.
Sales of books in the genre have increased 32% so far this year, according to NPD BookScan, a weekly report on book buying trends. Last week, the most popular fiction book purchased was "Camino Winds," a fictional murder mystery of John Grisham that takes place during a hurricane in Florida.
The upcoming presidential election has also helped boost sales of books that fit into constitutional law, said Tim McConnehey, CEO and founder of Izzard Ink, a collaborative publishing company based in Salt Lake City, Utah.
"For many right-wing Americans who feel that their freedoms are being violated, they believe they should know more about the Constitution," said McConnehey.
Sales of three books written by Paul Skousen, a former CIA analyst, published by Izzard, increased 25% last month compared to last year.
Another highlight for the company was a cookbook on the Mediterranean diet, "The Mediterranean Refresh". In January, 300 copies were sold per day, but now about 1,500 copies are sold, said McConnehey.
New Yorkers also listened to "Missing Sounds of New York", a pre-coronavirus audio collection from the subway to the nightclubs, produced by the New York Public Library in collaboration with the creative agency Mother New York.
New York Public Library
But in New York City, the epicenter of the virus in the country, Michelle Obama's autobiography "Becoming" was the most read during the quarantine, according to data from the New York Public Library. The book is also the fifth bestseller from Amazon.
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and a TV series based on the book was recently released in Netflix.
Although New Yorkers cannot visit their local libraries in person, they can view e-books online for free with a library card.
Other books they read include: "Educated", a memoir by Tara Westover, "The Dutch House" by Ann Patchett and "The Tale of the Maid" by Margaret Atwood.
New Yorkers also listened to "Missing Sounds of New York" A collection of audio from the metro to the nightclubs before the coronavirus, produced by the New York Public Library in collaboration with the creative agency Mother New York.
On Wednesday, the album was released more than 250,000 times on platforms like Spotify
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and Apple Music.
"Hearing sounds that were once so common, so familiar, has proven to be a soothing, calming, and cathartic experience for many," said Carrie Welch, the library's external relations manager. "We hear that it helps people sleep for this reason."
Welch said he was excited when he heard the songs for the first time, but that he finally found the experience "very relaxing". He added: "It is clear that New Yorkers want to feel connected to the city they know and love, and we are very happy to be able to contribute to it."