How to Use Netflix, Hulu, and Streaming Apps

Remember when watching a movie at home meant driving to the video store, browsing the shelves, and hoping the movie you wanted was not already rented out? Those days feel like ancient history now. Today, thousands of movies and television shows are available at your fingertips, anytime you want, through streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and others.

If the world of streaming feels confusing or overwhelming, you are not alone. Many people, regardless of age, find the number of options and the technology involved to be a bit much at first. But once you understand the basics, streaming becomes incredibly simple and opens up a world of entertainment that you can enjoy from the comfort of your couch.

What Is Streaming?

Streaming means watching video content over the internet, on demand, without needing to download it or own a physical copy. When you stream a movie or show, it plays directly on your device, whether that is a television, a tablet, a computer, or a smartphone, using your internet connection.

Think of it like a library with an infinite collection. You browse the catalog, pick what you want to watch, press play, and enjoy. When you are done, you do not need to return anything. And the library is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The Most Popular Streaming Services

Here is a brief overview of the major streaming services available today:

Netflix is the most well-known streaming service. It offers a vast library of movies, television series, documentaries, and original content produced by Netflix itself. Plans start at around $7 per month for the ad-supported tier.

Hulu offers a large selection of current television shows (often available the day after they air), movies, and original series. Plans start at around $8 per month. Hulu is particularly good if you want to keep up with shows from major broadcast networks.

Amazon Prime Video is included with an Amazon Prime membership, which also gives you free shipping on Amazon purchases. It has a strong selection of movies, shows, and award-winning original content.

Disney Plus is the home of Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic content. If you have grandchildren, this is the one they will ask for.

Max (formerly HBO Max) features HBO original series, blockbuster movies, and a wide range of content across genres.

Apple TV Plus offers a smaller but growing library of high-quality original shows and movies, and is often included free for a period when you buy a new Apple device.

You do not need to subscribe to all of them. Start with one that interests you most and add others later if you want more variety. Most services offer a free trial period, so you can try before you commit.

What You Need to Start Streaming

An internet connection. Streaming requires a stable internet connection. Most home internet plans are fast enough for streaming. If your internet is slow, you might experience buffering (the video pauses to load). A speed of at least 5 megabits per second is recommended for standard-quality streaming, and 25 megabits per second for high-definition.

A device to watch on. You can stream on:

• A smart TV (most TVs made in the last several years have streaming apps built in)
• A streaming device like a Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, Apple TV box, or Google Chromecast, which plugs into your TV
• A computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone

An account. You will need to create an account with the streaming service you choose. This usually involves providing your email address, creating a password, and entering payment information for the monthly subscription.

How to Set Up Netflix (Step by Step)

Netflix is the most common starting point, so let us walk through the setup:

1. On a smart TV: Turn on your TV and look for the Netflix app on the home screen or in the app store. Open it. You will be asked to sign in or create an account. If you already signed up on a computer or phone, enter your email and password. If not, follow the prompts to create a new account.

2. On a streaming device (Roku, Fire Stick, etc.): Plug the device into your TV’s HDMI port. Follow the on-screen setup instructions to connect to your Wi-Fi network. Once set up, find the Netflix app in the device’s app store, download it, and sign in.

3. On a tablet or phone: Open the App Store (iPhone/iPad) or Google Play Store (Android). Search for “Netflix” and download the app. Open it and sign in or create an account.

4. On a computer: Open your web browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge) and go to www.netflix.com. Sign in or create an account. No app download is needed.

Navigating the Interface

Once you are signed in, you will see the main screen, often called the “home” screen. Here is what you will find:

Rows of content. Netflix organizes shows and movies into rows based on categories like “Popular on Netflix,” “Continue Watching,” “New Releases,” “Comedies,” “Dramas,” and more. Scroll left and right within a row to browse, and scroll up and down to see different categories.

The search function. If you know what you want to watch, use the search icon (usually a magnifying glass in the top corner). Type the name of the movie, show, actor, or genre, and results will appear.

Your profile. Netflix allows you to create multiple profiles on one account. This is helpful if you share the account with a spouse or family member, as each profile gets personalized recommendations.

Continue Watching. If you start a show or movie and stop partway through, Netflix remembers exactly where you left off. You will find it in the “Continue Watching” row. Just tap it to pick up right where you stopped.

Watching a Show or Movie

Tap or click on any title that interests you. You will see a description, the year it was made, its rating, and sometimes a preview trailer. If it is a TV series, you will see a list of seasons and episodes. Tap “Play” to start watching. The controls are simple:

• Play/Pause: Tap the center of the screen.
• Rewind/Fast forward: Drag the progress bar at the bottom of the screen.
• Volume: Use your TV remote, streaming device remote, or the volume buttons on your phone or tablet.
• Subtitles: Look for a speech bubble icon or a “CC” icon. You can turn subtitles on or off and choose the language.
• Back to browse: Press the back button on your remote or tap the arrow in the top corner of the screen.

Tips for a Better Streaming Experience

Use subtitles. Subtitles can make it much easier to follow dialogue, especially in movies with a lot of background noise or characters with strong accents. Most streaming services let you adjust the size of the subtitle text in the settings.

Create a watchlist. When you see something that looks interesting but you are not ready to watch it yet, add it to your “My List” (Netflix) or “Watchlist” (other services). This saves it so you can find it easily later.

Adjust the video quality. If your internet is slow and the video keeps buffering, you can lower the video quality in the app settings. This uses less internet bandwidth and allows smoother playback.

Set parental controls. If grandchildren use your account, you can set up a separate profile with parental controls that restrict access to age-inappropriate content.

Watch on your schedule. One of the great advantages of streaming is that there is no schedule. You watch what you want, when you want, and you can pause, rewind, and resume at any time. No more rushing to catch a show at a specific time.

What to Watch First

If you are new to streaming and not sure where to start, here are some broadly loved suggestions:

• For a feel-good movie: “The Hundred-Foot Journey” or “Julie and Julia”
• For a gripping drama series: “The Crown” or “Downton Abbey”
• For a documentary: Nature or history documentaries are abundant on every platform
• For comedy: “Grace and Frankie” is a beloved series about two women over 60 starting a new chapter in life

Enjoy the Show

Streaming has made entertainment more accessible than ever before. You no longer need to wait for a show to air, drive to a store, or worry about late fees. Everything is right there, waiting for you, whenever you are ready. So grab the remote, settle into your favorite chair, and enjoy. The show is about to begin.