The airbnb we are staying in has cable tv {or streaming… whatever it’s called these days} and it has been a real eye opener}. We haven’t had cable/streaming for a really long time and well, I can honestly say, I don’t miss it.
If only the US could put together quality shows like the British do, {filled with seemingly ordinary people, not the over the top inflated characters you see on the tv here} then maybe I’d be interested in paying for it.
But just as it’s always been, the channels are full of ads for prescription drugs, people/products I can’t relate to, news on repeat, and shows I’d never in a million years let my small child {or teen for that matter} sit down in front of. But these days, it’s all that, times 10.
What ever happened to the wholesome tv shows? Where did they go? 57 channels and nothing on… Isn’t that how the song goes?
I feel like there’s got to be SOMETHING good on… Somewhere. I guess maybe I’m so out of touch when it comes to the whole cable/streaming thing though that I just don’t know where to start {or really if I even want to}.
We still have a bit of time left here, and I’d like to at least take advantage of the free tv situation before we move into our new place and have to get back to reality.
Do you have any recommendations… Channels or programs you enjoy watching? I’d love a few suggestions.
~Mavis
Artemis says
Blown Away on Netflix…I’ll let it be a surprise what it’s about. You’ll love it.
Tammy says
We have several streaming services that my husband signs in with a friend’s login (he gave the login to my husband…I know companies don’t like that…). I would never want to pay for any of these streaming services. The sports channels which my husband is interested in are too expensive. I don’t get it…you have to pay extra to get “all” the games of a certain sport and then they have a “special” game that’s only available somewhere else. It feels like bait and switch to me.
I don’t really watch many tv shows (or movies). My husband and I like Alone (they put contestants into the woods/wilderness and see how long they can make it), and several true crime shows (Dateline, 1st 48). But I can only handle so much crime before I start feeling anxious so we don’t watch those very often.
Tisha says
Try Young Sheldon or The Good Place. My television watching is limited but I found both of those worthy.
Mellie says
I love Young Sheldon. I’ve been watching it with my 16 year old. Definitely more enjoyable if you are familiar with The Big Bang.
Sue says
Young Sheldon is surprisingly good! DH and I are really enjoying it.
Kath says
We mostly only watch local news, sports and HGTV. Right now we are also watching old re-runs of NCIS on Paramount+. I don’t enjoy anything else. As you say, the characters seem overinflated with no seemingly ordinary people. The incessant commercial breaks are so long now that watching a show just feels like a time suck. If it were just me, I wouldn’t have a TV anymore.
Andrea says
I am right there with you! Every time we have tried a new series I am horrified by the content/language/violence. Our current faves are Weird Earth and Earth Unlocked on Weather Channel lol. We also really like all the cooking competition shows on Food Network.
Julie V says
These days I unplug the TV most of the time and just watch news or pbs occasionally. I find that I’d rather sit down with a good book. I have the radio on more during the day.. listening to talk shows/religion or light music as I do other things. And for history shows, that I enjoy, I can find them free online.
Brenda Robertson says
I am the same. News and PBS are our main viewing selections. There are a couple of shows on CBS but that’s it! Most other shows are not worth the time.
Amanda says
Agreed that I don’t watch anything actually on TV… But I love an old 70’s British show called The Good Life (or Good Neighbors depending on the distribution). Yes Minister was also a fun show. Both seem available on a streaming service called Britbox by BBC.
Otherwise, I’m currently enjoying tracking down and watching any Ken Burns documentary I can get my hands on.
Christie says
Summer Baking Championship or re-runs of Everybody Loves Raymond or Last Man Standing. I haven’t found much else worth watching.
Mrs. M says
I agree… I like Everybody Loves Raymond and Last Man Standing as well. I can especially relate to Last Man Standing’s closing comments at the end of each episode!
Suzanne Shaw says
We just found on Netflix (we are rather new to Netflix) a series calls The Good Witch. I think it was a series on Hallmark channel, but is now on Netflix. It definitely – IMO – hits the criteria you are seeking.
Tristen says
I also enjoy rewatching The Good Witch.
Debbie says
some regular TV shows: Tracker, Blue Bloods,The good Doctor, Ghosts
Rosemary says
We watch reruns of NCIS (and also the current episodes), White Collar, Murdoch Mysteries, Grimm, Fringe, Bones, Mountain Men, Below Zero, Tracker and hubby likes all the old WWII movies & John Wayne movies. I don’t understand why a lot of the current movies & TV shows have to have such foul language – it doesn’t really add anything of value to the story. We will give a movie or TV show a chance. If the foul language starts, we turn it off.
Lori says
Sounds like you should invest in Brit Box.
Julie says
I have Acorn and Brit Box. My current favorite show is Beyond Paradise on Brit Box. It’s a cozy mystery kind of show and it was filmed in Looe, Cornwall. I also love Brokenwood Mysteries on Acorn.
Bec in the PNW says
I tend to watch shows over and over again. I like to watch British crime/mystery shows because they tend to hint at things and not show the violence. A few other shows that I’d recommend: Life in Pieces, Kim’s Convenience, Parenthood, Eureka
Lindsey says
I loved Kim’s Convenience! My parents are immigrants, although not Korean, but they had the same mentality (and some of the same sayings!) that these parents do. It really made me laugh. There is another Canadian show called Corner Gas that is weirdly funny.
I swear but the amount of swearing in TV and movies these days is off-putting. And when did it become okay to use words like dick (and worse) during what is supposed to be family viewing hours?
Maria says
Third vote for Kim’s Convenience. My husband and teenagers loved it too!
Dee Patterson says
To the manor born. Open all hours.
Darling buds of May . Ghosts, the british version is quite different .
The good life.
Dads army .
Lark rise to candleford.
GK says
Young Sheldon is excellent for a wholesome family show. It’s about Sheldon Cooper as a child (from Big Bang Theory).
I also enjoy shows on the History channel like Antique Roadshow, The Food that Built America series (it’s about the giants in restaurants, groceries etc., and how they got started.) (There are also similar series about banks, cars, etc. called “That Built” documentaries: https://www.history.com/that-built-documentaries. I love these shows!
I also enjoy Homestead Rescue on the Discovery Channel. It’s about the Raney family who actually homestead/live in Alaska but travel around the country rescuing families who thought they could homestead but are just not making it. The Raneys help them with their chickens, gardens, irrigation, fresh water – in very remote locations around the US. Each location has its own challenges so is a pretty entertaining show if you can sometimes get past the personalities of the people they are rescuing. Marty Raney is a pretty entertaining man but on the show he appears to have a huge heart in spite of his showy appearance lol.
I also love most of the shark week shows. That should be coming up on the Discovery Channel soon. (7/7/24)
I’m sure there are lots of others. These are just a few that you might find interesting that I enjoy.
suzanne says
If you haven’t already watched it, Amazon has all the episodes to Midsomer murders. Yes it’s British but it checks all the boxes. The very first episode was probable the most risqué but still very mild.
Tristen says
Amazon also has a couple of older seasons of Gardeners World. British gardening – I could listen to Monty Don, Adam Frost and the rest talk about gardens all day
Samantha says
I agree. There is nothing much worth watching. Every time I find a show I enjoy it seems to get canceled. British TV always seems to be my go to. Tracker on CBS is not too bad. So help me Todd on CBS(which was popular but just got cancelled) is good.
Nancy H says
Anytime we go somewhere and get cable we watch the Food Channel. I am unwilling to pay the going price for cable TV and we never upgraded to a smart TV so don’t have streaming. Somehow we have survived without the time suck of what is called entertainment these days. And just think most of the world thinks what is exported for television is what all Americans are like.
RobininSoCal says
If interested you could use your “not smart” tv for streaming by getting a ROKU. I bought mine on Amazon for $27.15. Now I can stream any streaming service on my 2018 not smart tv. Also by having a library card I can access KANOPY through the Library system to watch movies, documentaries, and other available content.
Margo says
We like documentaries, which we can get on prime video or PBS. I have Discovery Plus and enjoy some of the cooking shows, HGTV, and Magnolia network. Books round out the evening’s entertainment most nights.
Kimberly Vassar says
We enjoy shows on TV Land, reruns of older comedy shows. Masterchef with Gordon Ramsey is on Wednesday nights on Fox, and the ID channel has crime documentaries.
Luisa says
Try Ted Lasso on Apple, The Crown on Netflix, A Gentleman in Moscow on Paramount.
Stephanie says
I tried watching The Crown like so many people rave about. It had me hooked until it got shockingly nasty with Princess Margaret and such. Shut it off, felt bad for the sick images I had in my head, and unfortunately won’t be continuing the series. ‘Really would have liked watching the other parts but those scenes ruined it. Does not fit in the Wholesome TV category.
Laura Z says
I give a donation to PBS every year so I have access to PBS passport which has a lot of shows, but I also use BritBox and Acorn (which you can subscribe to through Amazon Prime if you already have it or through their websites if you don’t — but you probabley already know this. 🙂 ). If you do have Amazon Prime, I would recommend their live TV option. You’ll have ads, but it gives you access to BBC garden and Travel shows. There’s a whole channel devoted to Monty Don’s gardening shows. I am enjoying Luke Nygen’s shows that pop up on the channel called Tastemade Travel a lot, If you don’t mind subtitles, Seaside Hotel is worth a watch. I’ve also really enoyed Ben Fogle’s Life in the Wild Series, where he stays with people who have walked away from their regular lives to live in remote areas around the world. He even featured Faire Isle on one episode. Really interesting.
I loved Young Sheldon (CBS/Paramount Plus) and an older show worth watching is The Middle. There really is so much salacious crud. I’m not a prude, but so many shows are filled with all sorts of gratuituous sex and especially violence. I just don’t want to waste my free time on teenage relationship dramas of selfish and shallow people, nor do I want to watch graphic violence. I just don’t get it!
There’s a new season of Granchester on PBS, and if you don’t mind subtitles, Seaside Hotel is a good show.
Laura Z says
Also, I forgot to mention the new series of All Creatures Great and Small and the Durrells in Corfu. Great shows!
Patty says
I agree! Love those shows❤️
sandy says
my two favorite shows! Of course Call the Midwife too
Pamela says
We love old movies on TCM, it is surprising how issues were handled a long time ago, also helps trying to answer questions on Jeapordy!
Alli Aplet says
I agree Mavis, current shows are rough! You might enjoy the shows Wartime Farm, Victorian Farm, Edwardian Farm and others like it on YouTube. We loved them!
HollyG says
I love those series – also Tales from the Green Valley (Tudor), Tudor Monastery Farm, and Victorian Pharmacy.
PSUCHIC06 says
Yes! Those shows are great!
Personally… I watch more.pkuto app shows than anything (free)
Freevee is great
Somewhere is cheap.irish homes…if.you want.to binge
Diana says
We don’t watch TV very much. We usually are outside until dark, we watch the sunset each night and see our resident owls flying around the property. We listen to music in the evening and read. If we want to see a show occasionally we watch a documentary, or a travel show. If we want to learn a new skill we also watch a video.
One year we did watch all of the James Bond movies, one each Saturday, and have a dinner that matched the theme of the movie. I think there were 26 or so movies, that was really fun!
eliz says
Sounds like good routine Diana. I love watching owls. What kind are they?
Diana says
We have barn owls and screech owls. We usually see them fly close by 6 or more times in the evening. We have an owl box close by that has babies so they are screeching too.
Tonight we had the special treat of seeing the Star Link launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base in the sky. I was thinking of all the people sitting in their houses missing out on the breathtaking view!
KC says
I don’t watch TV due to medical issues with movement on screen, but I’ve heard really positive things about The Good Place, Ted Lasso, Bluey, and Call the Midwife. (plus Parks and Recreation and Abbott Elementary) That said, while I can confidently say that Bluey has no profanity in it based on apparently the in-show exclamation being “Biscuits!” when something falls and breaks or similar, and I *think* The Good Place maybe does replacement-based profanity, I don’t know about the profanity level of the rest of them.
(also the Great British Bakeoff, some similar show for pottery, and there’s something not quite the same but in the same sort of genre for glass-blowing that is apparently really cool.)
Patty says
A few of my favorites: Anne with an E, Great British Baking Show, Victoria, The Crown, All Creatures Great and Small.
Jennifer says
I have been watching the swimming Olympic trials the past few days. And next week is the gymnastics trials. Give me sports any day over the current TV stuff.
Lana says
Definitely all the seasons of Call the Midwife. On PBS here on Saturday nights we watch Song of the Mountains and Wood songs, music programs. You’d Sheldon is a favorite and we enjoy MasterChef. We most often watch PBS and try to learn something new from those programs. Masterpiece Theater, Ken Burns, Antiques Roadshow. If you can find it, an old series Doc with Billy Ray Cyrus.
Nan says
PBS- I am watching season 9 of Grancester and I’ve watched Call the Midwifes at least 3 times. I also like Mcleod’s Daughter an Australian show that ran for years.
Pauline in Upstate NY says
We finally cut the cable late last year when yet another rate increase was announced. Our TV watching was already pretty much limited to PBS shows and NBC News, because everything else just seemed insipid and insulting. We already had access to PBS via Passport, picked up a Black Friday discount on a year of Peacock (but will not renew it), a short term of MaxHBO for “The Gilded Age,” and another short term of STARZ for “Outlander” (!!), ESPN+ for college hockey season, AND we already had Amazon Prime. That sounds like a lot, but most of them were short-term and/or discounted, so it’s WAY less expensive than cable was. That assortment has kept us very well set with shows we think are worth the time, but I suspect a trial of Brit Box could be in our future if they have a good deal in the fall. The Brits are IT!! A special recommend on Amazon Prime: “William & Mary,” which first aired in 2003 for 3 seasons (total 18 episodes) — truly excellent.
Linda Sand says
We like British mysteries. Our current favorite is McDonald & Dodd on BritBox. We also like Mr. Monk on Netflix. And Masterpiece Mystery on PBS. Along with a bunch of shows others have already mentioned.
Mimi says
I find out what shows are on Brit Box and Acorn and then check the library. They have lots of them on DVD. If it was up to me I wouldn’t pay for a streaming service but my husband likes sports. Even PBS has more garbage programming than it used to. I am not a delicate flower but I’m offended by the amount of c*r*a*p on TV.
Juliette Jones says
Amazon Prime has The Repair Shop channel. So cool!
eliz says
I have a hard time finding anything good to watch also. What are your recommendations Mavis?
Evelyn says
Young Sheldon for me as well.never got into the Big bang theory but enjoyed Young Sheldon. Ghosts found the British version first then the American version. Really enjoy American Pickers.It follows brothers that travel the US looking at old junk LOL Treasures of course, to buy and resell. Watched with my dad everyday. Have you watched the Biggest little Farm ? That was very interesting to me. They also have The Biggest Little Farm the return but that is on Disney. We have the ROKU get tons of free channels. Do not pay for any channels. I watch a lot of you tubes on gardening in zone 10 🙂 Hubby watches a lot of you tubes about whatever project he is working on.We have the you tube on our TV so big screen 🙂
TC says
I am British, husband American, he loves British shows but has to put subtitles on; we have been together 18 years and he still says he doesn’t understand me LOL. Brit Box, Acorn, PBS. we are currently watching AS Time goes by, we loved, Call the Midwife (one bought me into this world in our little country shack 3 miles from town).
So many great sit comes and You would absolutely love The Good Life as it is right up your alley – After Tom Good becomes disillusioned with his life, he packs in his job and he and his wife attempt to live a completely self-sufficient life in suburbia. Last of the summer Wine -Gentle sitcom following a group of pensioners living in Yorkshire. This show was Britain’s longest-running TV sitcom.
Waiting for God a Sitcom about two elderly delinquents determined to grow old disgracefully at the Bayview Retirement Home. To The Manor Born a Riches-to-rags-to-riches romantic tale of Audrey fforbes-Hamilton, forced to sell her beloved stately home to pay off her late husband’s debts. I do watch HGTV home and garden shows when I am cooking dinner
Sue S. says
All my favorite Britcoms and then some
My first favorite was the department store one and keeping up appearances. I still LOL at each re run.
Sue S. says
We mostly watch PBS (we get 5 of them) and old black and white favorites like Andy Griffith. Gomer Pyle USMC and old game shows. I do watch MSNBC but really need to reassess my cable bill. My TV s are not smart TV s so I can’t yet stream. Who wants to watch on a laptop, ipad, or phone. I ask you?
The bill is too high and I resent paying for umpteen and sceighty eight foreign language channels and sports channels. You can’t reach a live rep without way too much difficulty and I don’t want do’it-yourself service. Looks like this topic generated lots of comments.
eliz says
Have you tried All Creatures Great and Small on PBS?
Elizabeth C Smith says
Yes yes yes!!! So loved this wholesome, beautiful show written after one of my favorite authors, who wrote the book with same title! recommend!!
Kathy says
If you have access to Prime video, our family still loves rewatching Gortimer Gibbon’s life on Normal Street. Life is anything but normal for Gortimer and his two best friends, Ranger and Mel, as they navigate Normal Street – an ordinary suburb that has a hint of something magical just beneath the surface.
Tate says
Welcome to the 21st century.
Deb says
We have taped Hallmark Christmas movies…clean, happy and wholesome! Also HGTV, and a lot of YouTube that relate to our interests. Also and of course “Maine Cabin masters” ❤️
Peg says
I could happily exist without a tv. Of course I’m married to a man who would have it on most of his waking hours. I spend a lot of time in our bedroom because I refuse to watch the crap he does.
Amanda says
Same. I got him headphones so the rest of the household is not subjected to his noise.
Elizabeth C Smith says
Mavis, I am with you 100% and my antidote has been my new discovery of Britbox… all the British crime and British shows in one place, don’t ask me how to get it tho, my H is in charge of that . But I love it (maybe too much).
Arbie Goodfellow says
I totally agree!
We don’t have cable anymore…we buy Brit Box,PBS and Acorn.
Such evil on cable and the ott people …why does the US have so many phoney characters , They make me tired watching them. Why is “normal not on tv any more…or wholesome shows .
Take “Shetland ” as an example…the characters just talk normal…not shouting and using gestures all the time. It’s an awesome show but here in the US the actors wouldn’t get hired because there too “dull” and too much like “regular” people. Why is Hollywood sooooo dysfunctional???
Melinda says
The Middle – a sitcom on Peacock. Pretty much the only modern sitcom that I like. I’m always behind the times on shows, but I watched Downton Abbey on Peacock and absolutely loved it. The Crown on Netflix. I really enjoyed The Bear on Hulu – but it has language and isn’t the most relaxing show.
Jules says
We’ve ended up way watching movies more than series. But the tv shows we do watch are Alone, Amazing Race, Tough as Nails, Clarksons Farm (very relatable to us farm people, and eye opening to non farmers) and The Chosen. My guilty pleasure is watching Farmer Wants a wife. There is an Australian one and American. Idk why but I find it humorous and fascinating.
Pamela Sheppard says
I have cable and I love it. There are 3 basic things I don’t watch… reality tv, news programs (like CNN or FOX) and most sports. But sportswise I am really looking forward to watching the Olympics this Summer.
charwelsh says
Finding Your Roots and Antiques Roadshow on PBS. Any of the old Western shows, The Rifleman, Paladin, The Big Valley, Gunsmoke, Wanted Dead or Alive – good old-fashioned values and moral to the story.
Tracey Morris says
I watch Free Pluto TV mostly. British shows and old American shows
You Tube Tv allows you to pick what channels you pay for with a good selection
Virginia says
I don’t know if anyone who commented above mentioned it, but if you haven’t already seen the historical series Poldark, (based in Cornwall!), I think you would really enjoy it. It’s based on a book series and I absolutely loved it. The acting is great, and no foul language or nudity. It’s a total of five seasons, and concluded in 2019, so you could potentially watch the entirety of the series before you move to your new place. It’s one of those shows that you want to binge watch episode after episode.
Jenn says
Clarksons Farm – prime
Anne with an E -Netflix
Alone-Netflix
Victoria-PBS
Outdoor Boys-YouTube
Documentaries about food/health
Joyce Dvorak says
British shows on Roku work for us, too. The Instant Gardener Is my diy gardening favorite , along with Gardener’s World. For fiction, The Detectorists is about a couple ordinary blokes who are obsessed with metal detecting. It’s one of the sweetest comedies around. The Canadian show Corner Gas is also a gentle comedy. Other countries seem to give the common person dignity. The US just puts them into crime scenes.
Ess says
I just finished watching ‘Apples never Fall’ on Peacock. I also like to watch the crime series called ABC 20/20. When I can’t be bothered to watch anything on streaming, I play Wordle and Quordle in the evening to wind down.
Barbara says
History Channel. Sunday afternoon into evening.
Melissa says
Yep. This is why I don’t watch T.V. Stick to British drama. The have already been good recommends. All Creatures Great and Small, Lark Rise to Candleford, Durrells in Corfu. Turn Washingtons Spies is one from a few years ago that is good.
Kirsten says
Seinfeld
“Serenity Now”
A show about “nothing”
that is both entertaining and mundane at the same time
Wendy Steele says
I’m 100% streaming now. My daughters and I each subscribe to a few & share. I find myself watching the PBS app (which I get access to as a monthly donor) and Britbox & Acorn the most!!! I’m single, so my programs provide a great deal of ‘company’ for me.
Judith says
Britbox, Acorn & PBS…and if you can access a pbs station from Ontario Canada called TVO…excellent shows and documentaries
JoAnn Moran says
I am a big fan of British TV too. I agree with you about their characters. On HULU my husband and I watch a show about older detectives called New Tricks. I also subscribe to a channel called Acorn TV. It has lots of British TV mysteries and comedies to choose from. I agree that most of what’s on TV now is vile. Keep us posted on the new house.
Tracee says
I enjoyed Parenthood the series with my teenage son
Grace says
I pay $5 a month for Passport, the PBS streaming service. I have said many times if I could only have one streaming service it would be PBS Passport. The nice thing about having that service is that you can watch a ton of PBS shows on demand–Call the Midwife, All Creatures Great & Small, Grantchester, Doc Martin, Father Brown, Atlantic Crossing, Finding Your Roots, lots of Ken Burns documentaries, lots of shows with Lucy Worsley, lots of Masterpiece series, lots of cooking shows, & more. I absolutely adore Victoria on Masterpiece. It is an historical fiction account of the reign & relationship of Queen Victoria & Prince Albert. Unfortunately the series ended before it should have in my opinion. I wish they had at least taken it to Albert’s death, but they didn’t. The Crown on Netflix is another series I love. In fact, it is the only reason I keep my Netflix subscription.
Jenny Young says
We don’t pay specifically for tv very often. We have ROKU & the free channels on it (with commercials) are what we usually watch. If we watch on our desktop with the ad blocker on there are no commercials on channels like Tubi. Watching tv together is my husband’s favorite thing to do so we do it often.
I don’t watch as much when he’s not around or I watch as I clean/work at home.
I like old shows, really old shows. I just finished watching all the episodes of Columbo on Tubi as I unpacked after my move. And I’ve been watching The old black 7 white The Fugitive. My husband & I are watching FBI. He loves looking for cars. I guess Ford was a sponser because every episode has lots of Mustangs.
We have Amazon Prime so that includes Amazon tv. We sometimes take advantage of the .99 a month offers & get Brtibox, PBS, Hallmark, ect. Let them expire & wait for the offer to roll around again.
We also have Walmart Plus so we get Paramount but we don’t watch it much.
Linda says
BritBox and PBS all quality programming!
Vy says
I don’t usually watch tv but while I’ve been recuperating from surgery I’ve been cross-stitching and playing tv in the background. I find things like “This Old House” and “Antiques Roadshow” and home rennovation programs are what I gravitate towards. Pluto has channels that play things like Little House on the Prairie and Leave it to Beaver, too. Also “Fantasy Homes By the Sea” because a girl can dream!
Christy says
Don’t have cable either but I think you will be able to get extended Olympic and hopefully Paralympic coverage. Watch all the preliminary races of your favorite sport and try something new.
We watched young Sheldon live on network tv…going to miss it now that it has ended. Ghosts (US version) on a regular network is pretty good.
debbie in alaska says
I have been rewatching Dr Quinn Medicine Woman.
I also enjoyed Heartland.