Streaming for the Over-60 Crowd: How to Navigate Streaming Services, Find Hidden Gems, and Avoid Overwhelm

Streaming has completely changed the way we watch movies and series. No more having to sit in front of your TV at a specific time to watch your favorite TV show. No more going out to rent a movie to play on your DVD. Streaming services are functional and easily accessible. 

Did you know that there are several streaming services to choose from? The trend is growing, and many companies, such as Disney, are jumping on the streaming bandwagon.

What Is Streaming?

Streaming means watching TV shows and movies through an internet provider, directly to your TV or computer, rather than through a cable or satellite TV provider. The best part is that you choose what to watch and when to watch it. 

For many of us over 60, this brings freedom to watch, pause, and rewatch our favorite TV shows or movies as much as we want. 

All you need is internet service and a TV, computer, or tablet, and you’re all set to go. 

Which Streaming Services Are the Easiest to Use

Let’s take a look at the various streaming services available and which ones have the best user-friendly platforms. 

Netflix

Netflix is a pioneer in streaming platforms and is often the easiest to get started with. They offer a wide range of new and classic movies, plus original series. Netflix lets you add several family members to the same account.

Pros:

• User-friendly.
• Add family members.
• Wide content library.

Cons:

• Prices keep rising.
• Shows and movies are regularly removed.

What to watch:

• Grace & Frankie
• Our Planet
• Outlander
• The Inside Man

Amazon Prime Video

When you subscribe to Amazon Prime for free deliveries, you automatically gain access to Prime Video. Like Netflix, it has a host of new and classic movies and also produces original content.

Pros:

• Included with Amazon Prime.
• Wide selection.
• Bundle more services on the platform (like HBO Max, Disney+, Universal, and Paramount) for an extra fee.

Cons:

• It can get expensive if you choose to bundle several streaming services.
• Ads appear until you pay an extra fee.

What to watch:

• The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
• Yellowstone
• Downton Abby
• Reacher

Hulu/Disney+

This streaming service offers all the Disney classics, old and new. You can watch movies, series, documentaries, and reality TV. 

Pros:

• Excellent TV choices.
• Great place to watch Disney classics.
• Good value for money.

Cons:

• Ads are present on the lower-tiered plans.
• Can feel “made for families”.

What to watch:

• The Handmaid’s Tale
• Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris
• Only Murders in the Building

HBO MAX

HBO Max, often called MAX, has an astounding selection of award-winning movies and series. 

Pros:

• Large, varied collection.
• Great for movie lovers.

Cons:

• Higher price point than other streaming services.
• Overwhelming choices.

What to watch:

• The Pitt
• Mare of Eastown
• Station Eleven
• Mad Men
• Succession

Apple TV+

AppleTV+ is Apple’s original streaming service. It doesn’t have a large library of licensed shows and movies. It does, however, offer original content that is often highly acclaimed. 

Pros:

• Quality, original content
• Ad-free viewing

Cons:

• Smaller library.
• Price increases.

What to watch:

• Severance
• Ted Lasso
• Slow Horses
• The Morning Show

How to Avoid Feeling Overwhelmed

You definitely don’t need a subscription to every streaming service. Many of them stream similar content, although most have their original shows. The key is to find the one that works best for you. All streaming services offer monthly subscription plans that you can cancel at any time. Maybe try Netflix first, then give another platform. 

How to Find Shows You’ll Enjoy Watching

One of the downsides of streaming is the sheer variety of options, which can become overwhelming. You can start clicking through your choices, only to find yourself hours later without having found anything to watch. 

Streaming services rely on algorithms to choose what to show on the main page. Typically, they show new and best-rated movies and shows. But, there’s a lot more behind the scenes!

The best way to find shows that you will be interested in is to use the search tool. This usually looks like a magnifying glass with a search bar and is often found in the top corner of the screen.

Here are a few tips to find interesting things to watch:

• Search for your favorite actor or director, and a list of movies that they are in will appear.
• Type in searches like “Classic movies from the 50s”, “TV shows with older women”, or “Movies set in Chicago”, for example. 
• Ask your friends and family what they are watching and why. Oftentimes, this can lead you to some gems. 

Algorithms, simply put, are programs that observe what people are watching and clicking on to show them things they are most likely to be interested in. The best way to start seeing shows and movies that you are interested in on your main page is to interact with your streaming service. Answer when they prompt you with questions like “Are you interested in this?” and “How much do you rate this show?”, for example. 

Streaming Features that Are Great for the Over-60 Audience

Most streaming services offer subtitles with size options and closed-captioning features. This is especially useful for those who are hearing or visually impaired. 

Also, most providers offer the “My List” feature. This can be useful for saving movies and shows you want to watch later. You can get notifications about your favorite content by activating the notifications tool.

How to Keep Streaming Fun and Not Isolating

Watching TV shows and movies alone at home can become isolating. Here are a few ideas to keep you engaged:

• Watch the same shows as your friends and then get together to talk about them. 
• Watch at the same time with family members and discuss together. 

Streaming is the future and is only getting better with time. Monthly subscriptions are generally much cheaper than cable or satellite contracts. Don’t shy away from discovering new (and old) TV shows and movies because you are over 60. There may be a learning curve to adjust to the platform you choose to subscribe to, but it is well worth it. 

Read more: When a Netflix Miniseries Gives You More Than You Bargained for.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Do you enjoy watching TV shows and movies on a streaming service? Which service provider(s) do you have? What shows or movies do you recommend? Are you inspired to get a streaming subscription? Tell us about it in the comments below.