Roommates Sharing TV: How to Approach Scheduling Conflicts

Sharing the TV is a fact of life when you live with a roommate. Just like everything else in your apartment that needs to be shared (the shower, the kitchen, the washer and dryer), you and your roommate have to figure out a way to schedule TV use that works with both of your needs. Approach the scheduling like you would any other issue with your roommate—talk about it, make compromises and re-evaluate as time progresses.

Talk First to Avoid Scheduling Conflicts Later

If both you and your roommate are big fans of watching television, you should have a conversation about scheduling TV use right away. You can incorporate this conversation into a roommate agreement if you decide. Especially if you both are regular viewers of specific shows, you should draft up a weekly schedule and see where there are conflicts.

Compromise and Negotiate

Living with another person means there will eventually be some kind of compromise somewhere. As with everything in life, you both can’t always get what you want. After you’ve sat down and talked about which shows you like to watch, it’s time to see if there are any timing conflicts. In the best cases, you’ll both like the same programs and sharing the TV won’t be an issue (that’s why it pays to find a roommate with similar interests!) In the worst case your schedules will be completely conflicting. If you find that you both watch opposite programs most nights of the week, it’s time to prioritize and compromise.

The compromise could go one of two ways—it’s up to you. One option is to take ownership of different nights of the week, meaning you get use of the TV on Mondays and Wednesdays and your roommate gets use of the TV on Tuesdays and Thursdays (or however you decide to work it). The other option is to switch off hour by hour or program by program. You can share use of the TV every night of the week. The best way to do this is for each of you to prioritize your favorite shows. With any luck, they’ll be in different time slots.

If this is the case, you should each be able to have use of the TV during these particular programs. If your favorite shows are in direct conflict, you can rotate week by week. Fortunately, with the rise of internet sites like Hulu.com and online episodes for most major stations, not having control of the TV on any given night doesn’t mean missing out on your favorite programs.

Re-Evaluate with Time

After a few weeks of compromise take a look at how things are working. If you both feel satisfied with the situation, continue to carry on with your schedule. If one of you feels slighted, sit down and think of ways you can better share the TV.

The key to sharing the TV is to be fair and to realize that missing a TV show isn’t the end of the world. Be respectful of each other’s preferences and work to make your TV time a relaxing and fun roommate activity.

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Rachael Weiner: I’m a communications professional for a non-profit, which financially necessitates my status as an apartment dweller. Constantly “on-the-go,” I’ve resided in five different apartments across the United States over the past five years. Roommate issues, budgeting, organizing and handling problem neighbors are my specialty.