Nowadays, a variety of channels are available for the senior citizens to watch. However, they are packaged in streaming services, making it quite hard to decide which service is best suited for you.
When compiling this list, we considered the channels most seniors enjoy watching and mapped them to the streaming services offering them.
We also considered movies and TV shows available in each of the streaming services. Other things we looked up include the availability of sports and game shows.
That said, several channels offer great programs perfect for the elderly. Below is a look at some of the streaming services that carry the best TV channels for the elderly:
1. HBO Max
HBO Max is one of the best TV channels for the elderly, especially those who love movies and TV shows. It has a large library with titles suitable for older people, such as Casablanca, The Irishman, The Shawshank Redemption, The Intern, and many others.
In addition to films and TV shows, HBO Max offers several original titles, documentaries, sports-focused features, and concert specials.
You can watch HBO Max directly on HBO Max or through TV providers and streaming services like Hulu, Amazon Prime, DirectTV, and YouTube TV.
2. Cinemax
Cinemax is a premium TV channel that, like HBO Max, is perfect for older adults who are movie buffs.
It is mostly cinema-focused, with many action-packed movies and Hollywood blockbusters. It also carries a good collection of TV shows, including originals.
Some of the top movies and TV shows that older people can enjoy on Cinemax include Casablanca, Grumpy Old Men, The Sound of Music, The Bucket List, The Knick, and C.B. Strike.
You can enjoy Cinemax directly on the Cinemax app on Apple TV, Android TV, and Roku. It is also available via streaming services like Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, DirecTV, Spectrum, Cox, Optimum, Xfinity, and others.
3. Showtime
Showtime is another of the best TV channels for the elderly. It has many movies and TV shows in several genres, such as comedy, crime, drama, horror, action-adventure, and more.
The channel also offers many original movies, TV shows, and documentaries. It has no commercials, making it perfect for older people who hate having their streaming experience interrupted by ads.
You can watch Showtime via Paramount+ or access it via TV and streaming services like Hulu Live TV, DirecTV, Comcast Xfinity, COX, AT&T, and others.
4. Disney Channel
Disney Channel might be popular among kids, but it offers several TV shows and films perfect for older adults. These include Lady and the Tramp, Saving Mr. Banks, and The Parent Trap.
Disney Channel junior section is also an excellent entertainment option for older people with grandchildren, as they can enjoy the kids’ content when visiting.
You can access Disney Channel directly on DisneyNOW and Disney+ or via TV and streaming services like Hulu Live TV, YouTube TV, Spectrum, AT&T, Optimum, Verizon FiOS, DirecTV, COX, and many others.
5. History Channel
The History Channel is one of the best TV channels for the elderly who are history buffs. It offers several documentary shows covering everything from the World Wars to the Vietnam War, 9/11, the history of America, and other major historical events.
The channel also has a good collection of other entertaining documentaries, such as Forged in Fire, Pawn Stars, American Pickers, Eating History, and more. In addition to documentaries, you can find good fiction titles such as Six and Vikings.
You can watch the History Channel directly on the History app or via TV and streaming services like Roku, Sling TV, DirectTV, Amazon Fire TV, Hulu + Live TV, Philo, and many others.
6. National Geographic
National Geographic is a good TV channel for older adults curious about nature, the world, science, and culture and want to learn about exciting topics and facts.
The channel features exciting documentaries such as The Incredible Dr Pol, Doomsday Preppers, Monster Fish, Engineering Connections, and more.
Some of these documentaries are suitable for other younger adults and even kids, making them perfect for family viewing.
You can watch the National Geographic channel directly on the NatGeo TV website or through TV and streaming services like Sling, Fubo, Hulu Live TV, Spectrum, Vidgo, Philo, YouTube TV, and many others.
7. Discovery Channel
Discovery Channel is an excellent TV channel for older adults with curious minds. The channel offers documentaries on various topics, including science, nature, technology, and culture.
Some of the popular titles on the channel include FBI Files, Life, Battle Bots, Expedition X, American Chopper, Gold Rush, MythBusters, and River Monsters. The best part is that most of the content can be enjoyed by the elderly, younger adults, and kids.
You can watch Discovery Channel on Discovery+ or via TV and streaming services like Fubo, DirecTV, DirecTV Stream, Hulu Live TV, Sling TV, and YouTube TV.
8. Hallmark Channel
Hallmark is another one of the best TV channels for the elderly.
Apart from being perfect for movie buffs, Hallmark offers heartwarming, uplifting, and de-stressing movies that can help cheer up lonely older adults.
Hallmark movies are also perfect for the entire family. Therefore, the channel is perfect for older adults living with their family members or whose relatives visit often.
The Hallmark channel is available on several TV and streaming services like Fubo TV, Philo, DirecTV, Sling TV, YouTube TV, Hulu Live TV, Peacock, Frndly TV, Hallmark Movies Now, and more.
9. CNN
CNN is another top channel that is perfect for the elderly. The channel offers 24/7 news coverage on everything from local to regional, international, business, politics, and sports news.
The offered news programs are a great way for older adults to stay up-to-date with what is happening in their community, country, and the entire world.
CNN is available on CNNgo, the CNN mobile app, various cable TV services in the US, or streaming services like Sling, DirecTV, Hulu Live TV, YouTube TV, Spectrum, Pluto, and several others.
10. Fox News
Fox News is another news TV channel that is perfect for the elderly. In fact, according to Statista, most Fox News users are older adults between the ages of 55 and 64.
Like CNN, Fox News offers 2/47 news coverage on a wide range of topics (especially politics) at regional, national, and international levels.
The Fox News channel is available on Fox News Go, the Fox News mobile app, and most cable TV services in the USA. It is also available for streaming services like Hulu Live TV, Sling TV, Fubo TV, DirecTV, Roku, and more.
11. PBS
PBS is a TV channel that offers everything from news to thought-provoking documentaries, movies, and original TV shows. This makes it perfect for elderly people living alone or with their families.
Some popular programs on PBS include Frontline, Nova, Masterpiece, This Old House, Independent Lens, Nature, and The American Experience.
The channel even offers documentaries on issues affecting older adults, such as Aging in the U.S. and Aging Matters.
PBS is available on PBS.org, via the PBS app, various cable TV services in the U.S., or via streaming services like Roku, Hulu Live TV, YouTube TV, Local Now, Amazon Prime Video, and more.
12. The Weather Channel
The Weather Channel is a good TV channel for the elderly who love watching weather news. It offers a wide coverage of weather news, including weather forecasts, regional and national news, and breaking news.
It also offers several weather-focused and entertaining TV shows, such as Deadline to Disaster, The Earth Unlocked, Weather Gone Viral, and Storm Riders.
The Weather Channel is available free over the air (in select regions in the U.S.), on the Weather Channel app (for smart TVs, Roku, mobile devices, and more), or via streaming services like Hulu Live TV, DirecTV, Fubo TV, and YouTube TV.
13. CBS
CBS is another of the best TV channels for the elderly; it has a reputation for having the oldest audience of any network.
It offers a variety of programming, including daytime shows like The Bold and the Beautiful, The Young and the Restless, The Price Is Right, and Let’s Make a Deal, which are popular among older adults.
It also offers popular shows like NCIS, The Big Bang Theory, 60 Minutes, and major sporting events.
The channel is available on the CBS app, various cable TV services in the U.S., or via streaming services such as Optimum, DirecTV, Spectrum, Dish, Xfinity, YouTube TV, PlayStation Vue, Fubo TV, Hulu Live TV, and more.
14. HGTV
HGTV is a TV channel suitable for older adults who love home improvements and gardening.
It features many home improvement and real estate reality TV shows, such as Home Town, Bargain Block, Help! I Wrecked My House, Farmhouse Fixer, and more.
HGTV is available on HGTV Go, the HGTV app, or via streaming services such as Discovery+, Sling TV, Philo, DirecTV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, and YouTube TV.
15. Food Network
The Food Network is one of the best TV channels for the elderly who love food and cooking.
It offers several food-focused TV shows, such as Chopped, Girl Meets Farm, Raid the Fridge, and Clash of Grandmas.
The Food Network channel is available on Food Network Go, the Food Network app, various cable TV services, and streaming services like Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, DirecTV, Philo, Sling, and more.
16. ESPN
ESPN is the best TV channel for older adults who love watching sports. It offers a wide coverage of live sports, including football, basketball, baseball, hockey, and college sports.
Besides live sports, ESPN also offers replays of sports matches, sports talk shows, and sports documentaries.
The channel is available on ESPN+ and various cable TV providers across the USA. It is also on streaming services like DirecTV, Sling TV, Fubo TV, Spectrum, Xfinity, Optimum, and YouTube TV.