Since I dropped cable and use Netflix/Hulu/Crackle for entertainment my viewing habits completely changed. I no longer worry about the latest broadcast shows. In fact, the only “first run” shows I watch are sporting events.
I’ve discovered tons of shows I had missed in the past—Stargate, Battlestar Galactica, The IT Crowd (British), early SNL episodes (which make the current ones look pathetic), and several anime series. Plus documentaries like Fat Head, The Story of 1, King Corn, or Helvetica that would never have been on my radar.
I signed up for Hulu, but put it on hold. I couldn’t find much that interested me. Same for Crackle. Crackle especially seems fairly limited. I signed up for Sony Entertainment and Vudu, but those are pay-as-you-go so I consider them useful for good movies that may not yet be on Netflix.
One series I enjoyed on Netflix was Hell on Wheels. It’s a Western based on the expansion of the Union Pacific after the Civil War. They have 10 of 18 episodes on Netflix. It’s rated PG-13, and is pretty graphic regarding language and violence, but it’s a pretty riveting storyline with interesting characters. But, my main interest is old movies.
Also, since Pandora Radio is available, I can set it to run music when we feel like it.