# How good is Hulu for watching ancient TV programs? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 12, 2018, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-is-hulu-for-watching-ancient-tv-programs/824409 "2018-11-12T16:18:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2018, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-is-hulu-for-watching-ancient-tv-programs/824409/1 "2018-11-12T16:18:52Z")
Say, from the mid-seventies on back. **DesertRoomie** loves to doze off watching them. I have two streaming services but Netflix is pretty sparse\* and Amazon wants you to rent them. I’m looking for something where the monthly fee allows you to watch. \*She was pretty heart-broken when it dropped _The Dick Van Dyke Show_. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2018, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-is-hulu-for-watching-ancient-tv-programs/824409/2 "2018-11-12T16:35:37Z")
You can get a lot of old TV shows on regular antenna TV. Most people know you can get the networks on an antenna, but now there are lots of sub-channels that have all kinds of content. A lot of the sub-channels will show old TV programs. There are many websites where you can enter your address and it will give you a listing of the antenna channels you might receive. One of the common sub-channels is MeTV, which shows a lot of old TV content. They also have free streaming options. You can watch directly on their website: [MeTV Videos](https://www.metv.com/videos/) ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2018, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-is-hulu-for-watching-ancient-tv-programs/824409/3 "2018-11-12T17:04:32Z")
In addition to MeTV, there’s also[Antenna T](https://antennatv.tv/)V, [Cozi](http://www.cozitv.com/), [Decades](https://www.decades.com/), and a bunch others. You’ll generally find them on subchannels you didn’t even know you had like X.2, X.5, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2018, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-is-hulu-for-watching-ancient-tv-programs/824409/4 "2018-11-12T17:09:01Z")
I haven’t checked in a while, but you also used to be able to find a lot of them for free on the appropriate network’s website. ---
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2018, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-is-hulu-for-watching-ancient-tv-programs/824409/5 "2018-11-12T18:37:09Z")
Hulu has several old TV shows, including Dick Van Dyke, Andy Griffith, and The Odd Couple. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2018, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-is-hulu-for-watching-ancient-tv-programs/824409/6 "2018-11-12T19:44:34Z")
> [@filmore](#): > > You can get a lot of old TV shows on regular antenna TV. Most people know you can get the networks on an antenna, but now there are lots of sub-channels that have all kinds of content. A lot of the sub-channels will show old TV programs. There are many websites where you can enter your address and it will give you a listing of the antenna channels you might receive. > > One of the common sub-channels is MeTV, which shows a lot of old TV content. They also have free streaming options. You can watch directly on their website: [MeTV Videos](https://www.metv.com/videos/) A lot of their on demand shows actually come directly from Hulu, at least on my mobile app. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2018, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-is-hulu-for-watching-ancient-tv-programs/824409/7 "2018-11-12T19:57:46Z")
> [@DesertDog](#): > > Say, from the mid-seventies on back. **DesertRoomie** loves to doze off watching them. I have two streaming services but Netflix is pretty sparse\* and Amazon wants you to rent them. I’m looking for something where the monthly fee allows you to watch. > > \*She was pretty heart-broken when it dropped _The Dick Van Dyke Show_. BTW, you should check out Tubi TV. They carry _The Dick Van Dyke Show_, as well as other classic comedies such as _Green Acres_, _The Addams Family_, and _3rd Rock From the Sun_. All for free. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2018, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-is-hulu-for-watching-ancient-tv-programs/824409/8 "2018-11-14T12:02:00Z")
> [@filmore](#): > > You can get a lot of old TV shows on regular antenna TV. Most people know you can get the networks on an antenna, but now there are lots of sub-channels that have all kinds of content. A lot of the sub-channels will show old TV programs. There are many websites where you can enter your address and it will give you a listing of the antenna channels you might receive. > > One of the common sub-channels is MeTV, which shows a lot of old TV content. They also have free streaming options. You can watch directly on their website: [MeTV Videos](https://www.metv.com/videos/) That might be the way to go; the one-time purchase instead of the monthly fee is appealing. I didn’t think of it because it’s so-o-o last century. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2018, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-is-hulu-for-watching-ancient-tv-programs/824409/9 "2018-11-14T14:23:00Z")
> [@DesertDog](#): > > That might be the way to go; the one-time purchase instead of the monthly fee is appealing. I didn’t think of it because it’s so-o-o last century. :smack: Yeah, that’s true for a lot of people. We all got so used to cable that it’s easy to forget that TV is also broadcast over the air. Here’s some general info about over-the-air tv. The networks will generally be in uncompressed HD and look great (often better than cable). The subchannels are in a lower resolution and will look somewhat or greatly grainy. Older shows are in the format for regular TV, so they can look stretched on a wide TV. You can usually change some settings so it shows them with the normal aspect ratio if you like. The OTA signals usually include a little bit of data which describes the schedule on that channel. Some TV’s will capture this and create a channel guide that allows you to see what’s on all the channels like what you have with cable. There’s nothing special about antennas that make them work with HD. If you have an old set of rabbit ears from long ago, those will still work. As for the channels in my area, the older shows I commonly see are things like Columbo, Wonder Woman, Hogan’s Heroes, Charlie’s Angels, Rockford Files, Andy Griffith Show, 70’s games shows, old movies, etc. There are also older shows from cable networks like Intervention, American Greed, true crime shows, etc. Even if you have streaming, it can be nice to have when you just want to flip around and see what’s on. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2018, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-is-hulu-for-watching-ancient-tv-programs/824409/10 "2018-11-14T14:38:21Z")
MeTV is also carried on cable in your area. Go to MeTV’s website and enter your zip code. It’ll tell you what channels it’s on. ---
**Author:** ![galen\_ubal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galen_ubal/32/4440_2.png) [@galen\_ubal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen_ubal)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2018, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-is-hulu-for-watching-ancient-tv-programs/824409/11 "2018-11-14T19:43:17Z")
[JustWatch is](https://www.justwatch.com/us) a handy website for determining where you can find a show online (legally), either streaming, for rent, or for purchase. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2018, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-is-hulu-for-watching-ancient-tv-programs/824409/12 "2018-11-22T15:53:43Z")
The OTA antenna arrived from Amazon yesterday and I set it up. No MeTV anywhere (Their [site](https://www.metv.com/wheretowatch/affiliate/753) says it’s on 7.2 but _this_ [site](https://nocable.org/availability-report/rhb6-mesa-az-85203) lists no channel 7 at all. I’m guessing KAZT went bust and MeTV hasn’t gotten the word. All the TV broadcasters have their tower atop South Mountain (a lot of work went into deciding that name), the tallest in the vicinity, some 17 miles away so for the most part the antenna works fine stuck to the wall. For some reason KPHO (5) is detected but doesn’t get off of the black when tuned to. KAET (8) isn’t even detected but since it broadcasts at 33kW instead of 1000 like everybody else, there’s no surprise there. That means no CBS or PBS. Mounting the antenna outside is not an option as there are no windows in that corner and I would have to drill through cinder block. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2018, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-is-hulu-for-watching-ancient-tv-programs/824409/13 "2018-11-22T18:13:57Z")
> [@DesertDog](#): > > The OTA antenna arrived from Amazon yesterday and I set it up. No MeTV anywhere (Their [site](https://www.metv.com/wheretowatch/affiliate/753) says it’s on 7.2 but _this_ [site](https://nocable.org/availability-report/rhb6-mesa-az-85203) lists no channel 7 at all. I’m guessing KAZT went bust and MeTV hasn’t gotten the word. > > All the TV broadcasters have their tower atop South Mountain (a lot of work went into deciding that name), the tallest in the vicinity, some 17 miles away so for the most part the antenna works fine stuck to the wall. For some reason KPHO (5) is detected but doesn’t get off of the black when tuned to. KAET (8) isn’t even detected but since it broadcasts at 33kW instead of 1000 like everybody else, there’s no surprise there. That means no CBS or PBS. Mounting the antenna outside is not an option as there are no windows in that corner and I would have to drill through cinder block. According to [[antennaweb.org](http://antennaweb.org)]([https://antennaweb.org/Stations?Address=Mesa%2C](https://antennaweb.org/Stations?Address=Mesa%2C) Arizona 85203%2C United States&AntennaHeight=False&Latitude=33.43&Longitude=-111.87), KAZT has a translator, or rebroadcasting transmitter, KAZT-CD, on UHF channel 36. That’s only 16 miles from your location. I understand your reasoning for using a flat antenna, but the antennaweb site recommends using a multidirectional antenna, aka rabbit ears. Not the most attractive option, I know, but probably more functional. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2019, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-is-hulu-for-watching-ancient-tv-programs/824409/14 "2019-03-03T19:59:33Z")
Bumping this because of a channel called Heroes and Icons. It’s not a military-themed channel, despite its name. Instead, it carries shows such as _Nash Bridges_, _Monk_, and _House, M. D._ It also carries all five _Star Trek_ series, one episode of each every weeknight. It’s an over-the-air subchannel, so it’s free. You just need an antenna to pick it up. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2019, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-is-hulu-for-watching-ancient-tv-programs/824409/15 "2019-03-03T20:14:39Z")
You can see some stuff on Youtube. For example Alfred Hitchcock Presents: [https://www.youtube.com/results?search\_query=alfred+hitchcock+presents](https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=alfred+hitchcock+presents) ---
**Author:** ![MoonMoon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moonmoon/32/2959_2.png) [@MoonMoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MoonMoon)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2019, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-is-hulu-for-watching-ancient-tv-programs/824409/16 "2019-03-03T23:19:26Z")
OTA is the way to go. Hulu’s UI is absolute trash.