Seniors and students have one thing in common: Love for a good TV show. And unlike students who have to find free time in between classes, seniors have a lot of time on their hands, so why not? — The cost of cable TV is exorbitant!
Well, you can ditch traditional cable for online streaming. Instead of paying hundreds of dollars for a cable bundle, you can replace it with a media streamer — and possibly a digital antenna for a fraction of the price!
So, which apps are the most user-friendly for seniors? Where can you find all of the mind-blowing classics to watch? Continue reading to learn more; this article has everything you need to know.
Best Streaming Apps for Seniors
Sling TV
Sling TV is the first app-based TV service that allows you to watch live TV and on-demand content via the internet. It offers a mix of TV shows, movies, children’s programming, news, and sports. It’s also absolutely free—no credit card information or login credentials are required.
For premium channels, you have to pay $30 monthly or $45 to get some paid extras. The free subscription, however, also has interesting content, with over 5000 TV shows and movies to stream.
Sling TV is an excellent solution for anyone searching for a streaming service that is comparable to pay television.
Hulu
It is an excellent option for seniors who don’t care for live TV but still want to keep up with their favorite channels. It offers innumerable shows from Fox, ABC, CNN, and other major networks. It’s also reasonably priced, with monthly subscriptions starting at $5.99.
If you’re keen on Live TV, Hulu also has a Hulu + Live TV option where you can stream live TV, sports, news, entertainment, and many others. You can watch Hulu on your Smart TV, or computer, or using a streaming device like Roku.
Amazon Prime Video
It’s an Amazon-provided streaming service. If you already have an Amazon Prime account, you’ll have access to the tens of thousands of series and films available. Movies can also be rented or purchased through Prime Video.
Amazon creates award-winning and highly acclaimed original films and television series that aren’t available anywhere else. You can stream using your streaming device, smart TV, Fire TV, mobile phone, tablet, name it! All you have to do is install the Prime Video app.
FuboTV
FuboTV is the streaming service to use if you’re primarily interested in watching sports. It has a monthly subscription of $64.99.
With this, you get access to almost all sports networks, including NBCSN, MLB, ESPN, ESPN2, and many others. You can watch over 130 events on more than 100 sports channels.
Netflix
Netflix is, without a doubt, the most well-known streaming service available. It’s a streaming service that makes award-winning TV series, documentaries, animations, movies, and other content available on thousands of internet-connected devices.
For one cheap monthly fee of $8.99 per month, you can watch as much as you want, whenever you want, without ever seeing a commercial. The best part is that Netflix offers new refreshing content each week!
Apple TV
It’s a subscription streaming service that includes Apple Originals as well as other award-winning shows, dramas, kids’ shows, and others. Apple TV+ is included free for a year when you buy an eligible Apple device (if claimed within 90 days of purchase).
Otherwise, it comes with a 7-day trial, after which you pay a monthly subscription fee of $4.99. You can stream on Roku devices, Firesticks, Samsung Smart TVs, iPhones, and iPads.
So Which Are the Best Streaming Services for Seniors?
It’s now time to choose a streaming service. Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video are all outstanding on-demand video providers. If you want something close to cable TV, though, you should consider signing up for a live streaming service.
Sling TV is one of the most cost-effective live TV streaming services available in the United States. For $20 a month, you can get over 30 channels, including CNN, AMC, and A&E. Others include AT&T Watch TV, Philo, and others.
You can live stream your favorite network and cable channels for a fraction of the cost with live TV streaming services!
Best Streaming Stick for Seniors
Streaming sticks are devices that provide free live and premium TV over the internet. They’re simple to set up; all you have to do is attach the gadget to a power outlet and put it into your TV’s HDMI connection.
Roku Streaming Stick 4K+
It has a long-range wireless receiver that gives you more range and a better signal. This allows you to stream smoothly even in rooms further away from your Internet connection. All you have to do is hook it up to your TV via the HDMI port.
It also has excellent picture quality, allowing you to enjoy your favorite shows in spectacular detail and clarity. HDR, 4K+, or HD, you’ll get a picture quality that’s tailored for your TV, with crisp resolution and vibrant color!
Amazon Fire Stick
It is similar to the Roku streaming stick in that you simply put it into a TV through HDMI, and it immediately begins streaming your favorite shows. However, this device is capable of more than just streaming.
You can download a plethora of Android apps, play games, listen to music, and so much more. It also features Alexa, where you can relay voice commands which is extremely convenient for seniors.
Chromecast with Google TV
It is one of the most affordable streamers on the market, with a price tag of $50. It isn’t as simple to use as the Roku, but it’s still a capable streamer. It includes Google Assistant voice search, which is useful for discovering movies and television shows to watch.
What Is the Easiest Streaming Device for Seniors?
You’ll need a streaming device to use streaming services. This can be as simple as a computer or a smartphone, but it’s preferable to buy a device that can connect to your loved one’s Television.
That said, the top two streaming devices are:
Smart TV
Most streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime come with apps that can be downloaded on smart TVs for easy streaming. If your senior has a smart TV, all you need to do is go to the app store and install the application you’d like.
From here, log in and make sure you choose the “remember me” option. And then, they can simply turn on their TV and watch the shows they love!
Roku
It connects to any TV through HDMI. It is the most popular streaming device since it allows you to easily manage all of your streaming services under one umbrella. Users may even sign up for new services from the device’s dashboard, as it’s intended exclusively for streaming.
Streaming Apps for Old/Classic Movies
1. Turner Classic Movies TCM
Seniors can recognize this one from miles away. It is a US television network having affiliates in the United Kingdom, Scandinavia, Germany, Latin America, and Asia.
If you live in the United States and have a cable TV subscription, you can view whatever is presently airing on Watch TCM for free.
There’s also a mobile app for Android and iOS. The site also offers a store where you can buy and download old movies. Prices usually range from $10 to $25.
2. Pluto TV
Pluto TV is best known for offering free live television. But did you know that the service also works as a great tool for watching old movies?
It has multiple channels dedicated to classic films: CTM Westerns, 80s Rewind, Classic Movies Channel, Paramount Movie Channel, and others.
3. Shout! Factory TV
Shout! Factory TV is an app that is popular for vintage films, cult movies, live music, B-side films, and others. It has licensing agreements with Sony Pictures, Fox, Warner Bros, MGM, and others.
4. The Criterion Channel
The Criterion Channel is a television network based in the US. It focuses on “essential classic and contemporary films.” With a fee of $10.99/month or $99 for 12 months, you enjoy over 1,000 great films that are now part of the Collection.
You may view them all, as well as a constantly rotating selection of Hollywood, international, art-house, and independent films from well-known studios and independent directors, on the app and website.
Stacks of supplemental content, such as interviews and conversations, are also available.
Best Streaming Shows for Seniors
Documentaries
- Bobby Kennedy for President – Netflix
- The Imagineering Story – Disney+
- Planet Earth and Planet Earth II – Amazon
Game and Reality Shows
- The Great British Baking Show – Reality baking competition on Netflix
- Jeopardy! – Reality on Hulu
- Betty White’s Off Their Rockers – Celebrity-fueled prank show on Hulu
Period Dramas and Comedies
- The Great – Satirical Russian Drama on Hulu
- Downton Abbey – Drama on Amazon
- The Crown – Drama on Netflix
- The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel – Comedy on Amazon
Scripted Shows Featuring Complex Senior Characters
- Grace and Frankie – Comedy on Netflix
- Trust – Drama on Hulu
- Hot in Cleveland – Comedy on Amazon
- The Kominsky Method – Comedy on Netflix
- Homeland – Drama on Hulu
Do Any Streaming Services Offer Senior Discounts?
Most streaming services don’t have a specific discount for seniors, but they have discounts based on other factors. Amazon, for example, considers the senior’s Medicaid status.
Hulu, however, offers a 15% discount to anyone over the age of 55 to express their respect for their elders. So, if you’re one of them, you can get your charge reduced in a matter of days!
Seniors can also watch movies and TV series for free on Sling, which offers a free subscription with over 5,000 titles to select from.
Bottom Line: The Options Are Endless, It’s All Up to You
The best thing about using a streaming service is that there are so many options available. All you have to do is pick the ideal one for you based on your preferred type of show and budget. Movies, original shows, sports, documentaries, it’s all up to you!
As long as you have a mobile phone, tablet, TV, or computer, you can enjoy a lot of content. And, streaming apps, one of the most popular types of entertainment apps for seniors, what you need to access all these programming choices.
If you don’t have a smart TV and you’d like to watch on TV, you can buy a cheap device to plug into your TV. We hope this article opens up a world of entertainment for you!
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I am a computor 101 person. There is so much I do not understand. But this is the best information I have found. If I have Pluto (my nephew) do I already have whatever I need?
Awesome Elise! I am so glad this information was helpful!
I can’t believe that this content is designed for seniors and you don’t get it. Most seniors don’t understand the concept of apps so the problem is no apps have a menus and functionality similar to what they’ve been doing the last 75 years. If they can’t adjust to the “App” mentality they have no options.
Thanks for your comment but I am going to disagree with you that “most seniors” don’t understand the concept of apps. Quite frankly, I am trying to change attitudes like this. Many seniors use tech like this daily. Many are also willing to learn if others would just take the time to teach them. Most apps to day are touch based and require very little skill or technical know how to use. Do you disagree?