Limited Classic TV on streaming services - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

favoriteshow · 12-08-2018, 10:38 PM

I currently have Hulu Plus (commercial free), and there are some popular (classic TV ) shows like I Love Lucy, Golden Girls, Mary Tyler Moore, Wings and recently the return of The Wonder Years, and addition of Married with Children. I'm currently enjoy re-watching The Wonder Years. I suppose Hulu is getting better, but I've felt it keeps crap like 'Hangin With Mr. Cooper' while missing better classics from the past.

Will shows these ever make it to Hulu or Netflix?
-Three's Company
-Bewitched
-Laverne and Shirley
-Facts of Life
-Diff'rent Strokes
-227
-A Different World
-Who's the Boss?

I'd think the rights for these shows can't be crazy expensive like Seinfeld that it has in it's library, and I'd much rather have it in my Hulu Plus subscription than have to pay for a package that includes Logo TV.

There are a few classics on other streaming channels. For example, Bewitched and I Dream of Jeannie have the first two seasons on The Roku Channel, which is free, but one must endure commercials.

DJM77 · 12-09-2018, 09:19 AM

I kind of get the feeling that Hulu might not really be acquiring classic sitcoms like they used to. I've had it since February and I think that the only classic sitcoms that they've added since then are M*A*S*H (which I couldn't care less about), Married With Children (I don't care enough about it to tune in) and The Wonder Years (I am excited about that one). Since I got Hulu 10 months ago Webster, My Favorite Martian and Car 54 Where Are You have all expired and Newhart, WKRP In Cincinnati, Rhoda and Nanny And The Professor are all about to expire.

tlc38tlc38 · 12-09-2018, 09:26 AM

All I can say is DVDs.

stevea · 12-09-2018, 04:38 PM

I define classic as 50s/60s, since I'm older. It sounds like Hulu isn't interested in my generation so I'm not interested in them.

tlc38tlc38 · 12-09-2018, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevea

I define classic as 50s/60s, since I'm older. It sounds like Hulu isn't interested in my generation so I'm not interested in them.

Most of my viewing comes from shows from the 50s-90s. I like a wide variety of genres but I’ll never rely on Hulu or any streaming service to watch TV. I prefer DVDs or watching shows on an actual TV with no internet hooked to it.

Sal · 12-10-2018, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by favoriteshow

I currently have Hulu Plus (commercial free), and there are some popular (classic TV ) shows like I Love Lucy, Golden Girls, Mary Tyler Moore, Wings and recently the return of The Wonder Years, and addition of Married with Children. I'm currently enjoy re-watching The Wonder Years. I suppose Hulu is getting better, but I've felt it keeps crap like 'Hangin With Mr. Cooper' while missing better classics from the past.

Will shows these ever make it to Hulu or Netflix?
-Three's Company
-Bewitched
-Laverne and Shirley
-Facts of Life
-Diff'rent Strokes
-227
-A Different World
-Who's the Boss?

I'd think the rights for these shows can't be crazy expensive like Seinfeld that it has in it's library, and I'd much rather have it in my Hulu Plus subscription than have to pay for a package that includes Logo TV.

There are a few classics on other streaming channels. For example, Bewitched and I Dream of Jeannie have the first two seasons on The Roku Channel, which is free, but one must endure commercials.

I'd like to know more about the Roku channel. What shows can you get on it? Do you need a Roku box to use it or can you stream it on any device? If not, I'd rather have KODI. It's free and I find it fun to use.

If you don't like Hulu or Hulu Plus, there are some free alternatives like Yahoo View which offers Hulu programs and movies, or you can use other free services like YouTube and Dailymotion, or better yet, try these:

Internet Archive - Classic TV

Uncle Earl's Classic TV - STRONGLY RECOMMENDED!

Shout Factory

Rerun Century

CTV Throwback
- Launched Dec. 6 - Featuring The Facts Of Life, The Jeffersons, and lots more to come

favoriteshow · 12-10-2018, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sal

I'd like to know more about the Roku channel. What shows can you get on it? Do you need a Roku box to use it or can you stream it on any device? If not, I'd rather have KODI. It's free and I find it fun to use.

If you don't like Hulu or Hulu Plus, there are some free alternatives like Yahoo View which offers Hulu programs and movies, or you can use other free services like YouTube and Dailymotion, or better yet, try these:

Internet Archive - Classic TV

Uncle Earl's Classic TV - STRONGLY RECOMMENDED!

Shout Factory

Rerun Century

CTV Throwback
- Launched Dec. 6 - Featuring The Facts Of Life, The Jeffersons, and lots more to come

The Roku Channel is available with every Roku device. I was able to buy a Roku Streaming Stick, with a voice search remote for $30 after Black Friday. From Best Buy, I got a code for a free month of Sling TV as well.

https://www.howtogeek.com/293645/whi...-should-i-buy/

Avoid the Roku Express as the Streaming stick is a better value. I see that you are in Canada though, so I don't know if it's available there. I don't know if CTV Throwback is available to me in the US.

There is also a free channel called Crackle by Sony. It has Who's The Boss? Season 2 and 3. Very random to not have the 1st season, but at least it's not just offering the last season. But the picture quality is very poor at least for that show, and like the Roku Channel, there are commercial inserts.

I wish there was another option to Hulu Plus. Something where there is a small fee but commercial free or limited commercial options. Hulu started for TV show enthusiasts but it's trying to be more like Netflix. I guess that's good in some way, but I'd like a focus on TV shows. I actually use it more as a DVR alternative for current shows (current season of 'Will & Grace', 'Superstore', '911') but having 'Wonder Years' and a few classic TV shows is a nice bonus. But, I'd be willing to pay a monthly fee and not needing a free but loaded with ads, low picture quality useless service. I have a few DVD sets but I prefer streaming from any of my TV sets, over DVDs.

The one service that made little sense to me was CBS All Access. CBS wanted to go separately, rather than participate with ABC, NBC and Fox that permit their current shows on Hulu. For me, I think CBS All Access has very limited content. I only use it when 'The Good Fight' (a sequel to Good Wife) has a new season. I binge watch, then cancel. But, a lot of the CBS classic shows like 'I Love Lucy' are also on Hulu too.

Dale Key · 12-12-2018, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by favoriteshow

There is also a free channel called Crackle by Sony. It has Who's The Boss? Season 2 and 3. Very random to not have the 1st season, but at least it's not just offering the last season.

Crackle alternates between seasons of its shows after a certain amount of time (don't know if it's one month or three). If you are really patient, you can watch the complete series of its shows like 227, Mad About You and All in the Family by checking in once a week to see if they've gone to the next season.

Hulu used to have the streaming rights to A Different World, but Amazon has it now for all its Prime subscribers.

BigManMike · 12-12-2018, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dale Key

Crackle alternates between seasons of its shows after a certain amount of time (don't know if it's one month or three). If you are really patient, you can watch the complete series of its shows like 227, Mad About You and All in the Family by checking in once a week to see if they've gone to the next season.

Hulu used to have the streaming rights to A Different World, but Amazon has it now for all its Prime subscribers.

Seasons change on Crackle every three months. The next change will come in January.

icecream · 12-12-2018, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by favoriteshow

I currently have Hulu Plus (commercial free), and there are some popular (classic TV ) shows like I Love Lucy, Golden Girls, Mary Tyler Moore, Wings and recently the return of The Wonder Years, and addition of Married with Children. I'm currently enjoy re-watching The Wonder Years. I suppose Hulu is getting better, but I've felt it keeps crap like 'Hangin With Mr. Cooper' while missing better classics from the past.

Will shows these ever make it to Hulu or Netflix?
-Three's Company
-Bewitched
-Laverne and Shirley
-Facts of Life
-Diff'rent Strokes
-227
-A Different World
-Who's the Boss?

I'd think the rights for these shows can't be crazy expensive like Seinfeld that it has in it's library, and I'd much rather have it in my Hulu Plus subscription than have to pay for a package that includes Logo TV.

There are a few classics on other streaming channels. For example, Bewitched and I Dream of Jeannie have the first two seasons on The Roku Channel, which is free, but one must endure commercials.

If you have an Antenna TV affiliate they air Bewitched, 227, and Three's Company.

MA · 12-12-2018, 01:15 PM

ShareTV is another good one as well:

http://m.sharetv.com

MA · 12-12-2018, 01:17 PM

And here is Archive.org's Classic TV Commercials:

https://archive.org/details/classic_tv_commercials

favoriteshow · 12-13-2018, 03:27 PM

Thanks for the responses. I'll check out any classics on Amazon Prime, including 'A Different World' on it. My dad has an account. I actually remembered reading that Amazon Prime still has the rights to 'The Cosby Show' and still streams it, not that I'd tune in to that show anymore.

I know about Antenna TV and I'm able to receive that channel, but I can't stand the commercials, but I could get around it by recording it to a DVR.

I don't know if I would have the patience for Crackle TV. I wouldn't mind paying for a commercial free version, with maybe more content, better picture quality, rather than only have the free option.

12-08-2018, 10:38 PM	#1
favoriteshow Member Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 08, 2018 Posts: 587	Limited Classic TV on streaming services I currently have Hulu Plus (commercial free), and there are some popular (classic TV ) shows like I Love Lucy, Golden Girls, Mary Tyler Moore, Wings and recently the return of The Wonder Years, and addition of Married with Children. I'm currently enjoy re-watching The Wonder Years. I suppose Hulu is getting better, but I've felt it keeps crap like 'Hangin With Mr. Cooper' while missing better classics from the past. Will shows these ever make it to Hulu or Netflix? -Three's Company -Bewitched -Laverne and Shirley -Facts of Life -Diff'rent Strokes -227 -A Different World -Who's the Boss? I'd think the rights for these shows can't be crazy expensive like Seinfeld that it has in it's library, and I'd much rather have it in my Hulu Plus subscription than have to pay for a package that includes Logo TV. There are a few classics on other streaming channels. For example, Bewitched and I Dream of Jeannie have the first two seasons on The Roku Channel, which is free, but one must endure commercials.

12-09-2018, 09:19 AM	#2
DJM77 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: May 15, 2001 Location: Missouri Posts: 5,568	I kind of get the feeling that Hulu might not really be acquiring classic sitcoms like they used to. I've had it since February and I think that the only classic sitcoms that they've added since then are MASH* (which I couldn't care less about), Married With Children (I don't care enough about it to tune in) and The Wonder Years (I am excited about that one). Since I got Hulu 10 months ago Webster, My Favorite Martian and Car 54 Where Are You have all expired and Newhart, WKRP In Cincinnati, Rhoda and Nanny And The Professor are all about to expire.
	__________________ Marge: There are only 49 stars on that flag. Abe: I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missouri! Last edited by DJM77; 12-09-2018 at 04:34 PM.

12-09-2018, 09:26 AM	#3
tlc38tlc38 Every day’s a Dolly day! Forum Star Join Date: May 02, 2008 Location: I’m just travelin’ thru Posts: 19,273	All I can say is DVDs.
	__________________ Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. Deuteronomy 15:10 In loving memory of my best friend, my Mama.

12-12-2018, 01:15 PM	#11
MA Member Moderator Forum Idol Join Date: May 20, 2017 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 128,221	ShareTV is another good one as well: http://m.sharetv.com
	__________________ ~-Mikaela-~

12-09-2018, 04:38 PM	#4
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,983	I define classic as 50s/60s, since I'm older. It sounds like Hulu isn't interested in my generation so I'm not interested in them.

12-12-2018, 01:17 PM	#12
MA Member Moderator Forum Idol Join Date: May 20, 2017 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 128,221	And here is Archive.org's Classic TV Commercials: https://archive.org/details/classic_tv_commercials

12-13-2018, 03:27 PM	#13
favoriteshow Member Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 08, 2018 Posts: 587	Thanks for the responses. I'll check out any classics on Amazon Prime, including 'A Different World' on it. My dad has an account. I actually remembered reading that Amazon Prime still has the rights to 'The Cosby Show' and still streams it, not that I'd tune in to that show anymore. I know about Antenna TV and I'm able to receive that channel, but I can't stand the commercials, but I could get around it by recording it to a DVR. I don't know if I would have the patience for Crackle TV. I wouldn't mind paying for a commercial free version, with maybe more content, better picture quality, rather than only have the free option.