Though they may still be catching up on the latest technology trends, more and more seniors are taking advantage of the Internet than ever before. Today, approximately half of seniors own smartphones, and 70% are connected to the internet. Seniors are using the internet to stay in touch with family, do their banking and shopping, participate in online dating, and share their lives via social media.
It only makes sense, then, that the senior in your life may be interested in switching from traditional cable to a streaming platform. Streaming services have become incredibly popular across all age demographics because of their convenience; with a streaming service, you can watch shows and movies anytime and anywhere. In addition, they’ve also become an excellent option for those looking to cut costs on rising cable bills.
Before making the jump from traditional cable, be sure that your senior is set up with either a Smart TV or television that can support a streaming device such as an Amazon Fire Stick or Roku. They will also need an internet connection and an email address to sign-up.
There are many options available these days. These are some of our top choices for seniors:
YouTube TV
For seniors that regularly watch shows available on cable television, like Jeopardy or Wheel of Fortune, YouTube TV offers all major local and cable networks. With YouTube TV, you also have DVR capabilities without any limitations, meaning that you can record as many shows on as many televisions as you’d like. Once your senior gets accustomed to the platform, they won’t miss their regular cable subscription at all.
Netflix
Netflix is probably the most well-known streaming service available, and maybe your loved one has already given it a try. Not only can you stream popular movies and full seasons of your favorite television shows, but Netflix also offers a plethora of original and award-winning content. A service like Netflix is an excellent accompaniment to YouTube TV.
Hulu
Hulu offers a bit of all of the features of YouTube TV and Netflix. With Hulu, subscribers can watch recent episodes of shows from major networks like ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX, and, for an additional cost, you can choose to add on premium channels like Showtime, HBO, and Cinemax. Like Netflix, Hulu also has a variety of original programming for those looking to try something new and different.
Prime Video
For anyone with an Amazon Prime account, Prime Video is included and offers a great deal of content. Like Netflix and Hulu, Prime Video streams many classic shows and movies as well as many Amazon originals. What makes this platform unique is that you can rent movies and shows that are not included in your subscription.
With winter upon us and many of us continuing to social distance at home, now is as good a time as any for your loved one to try out one of these streaming services. Once they’ve gotten familiar with whatever service they choose, we suggest checking out some of our favorite binge-worthy shows for seniors.