I wonder if it's not necessarily related to the viewer themselves.

e.g. I could see the following taking place:

1. Biggest action is a user deciding to signup

2. More viewers means more money

3. More money => access to bigger producers/directors etc (e.g. Shonda Rhimes)

4. Because of #3, more users sign up

and the cycle repeats while "leveling up" the stars in step #3.

The negative shows may also be a part of #3 in the sense that directors/producers get more freedom to make what they want

and/or

Negative antisocial shows may generate more buzz which also helps with #1 and the rest of the cycle.

Yes, they've shown the negative tweets and Facebook posts generate a high level of engagement. I think the same reasoning applies to Netflix.

It's like the tech industry is run by frat boys trying to 'neg' the general population, like a dysfunctional relationship where the boyfriend tells the girlfriend she's ugly and fat so she won't leave him.