New to Streaming? Here’s Exactly How to Stream on Your TV

A lot has changed in how we watch TV. Long gone are the days when there was a single black-and-white TV with just three channels in most households. Today, we find full-color TVs in nearly every room in the house. In just the last few years alone, we’ve gone from relying on cable boxes tied to long-term contracts to streaming over the internet. That’s led to even more freedom as we can watch a huge variety of shows, movies, sports, and even liveTV with just an internet connection. If you haven’t yet made the switch or only use your phone to stream, you may be asking, “How do I stream on my TV”?

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Over 83% of U.S. households now use streaming services compared to only 36% that are cable or satellite TV subscribers.  A mere 8% of households use only cable or satellite. According to Nielsen, as of May 2025, streaming outpaced the combined share of broadcast and cable, taking 44.8% of TV viewership—an increase of 71%. Rapid change to stay the least. (Though 66.1 million households still watch cable, so if you haven’t cut the cord, you’re far from alone.)

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Why have we seen such a rapid migration? It’s simple: streaming gives us the freedom to choose our own adventure. Want every season of your favorite show? Prefer to pay for only the channels you watch (rather than 100 channels you’ve never even heard of)? Want to watch something on your schedule (rather than a network’s)? Streaming allows you to do all that. Often for much less than a traditional cable subscription—and without any long-term contracts. Even live TV, once a cable- or satellite-only perk, now comes from streaming apps that cost less and avoid old-school equipment rentals.

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If you’re not all that tech-savvy, though, you may still be reluctant to cut the cord. Figuring out how to stream on my TV can feel intimidating. Fortunately, getting set up is much simpler than many people expect. As long as you have a decent internet connection and a TV that can run streaming apps (perhaps with an adaptor), you’re already halfway there.

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How Do I Stream on My TV: Internet Requirements

Contrary to what you may have heard, TV streaming doesn’t require the fastest internet, though it does need a steady connection. Most services suggest 5 Mbps for HD and 15 to 25 Mbps for 4K. That means most households don’t need to upgrade their plans to stream successfully. If multiple people want to stream at the same time, a 50- to 100-Mbps plan will usually cover it.

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If you find that your TV isn’t streaming as well as you’d like, before you spend more, try improving what you already have by moving your router to a more central location, restarting the router and TV, or connecting your streaming device directly with Ethernet if possible.

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A reliable connection provides a smooth video-watching experience without buffering. No pricy “ultra-fast” package needed.

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The Right Equipment to Stream

Most modern TVs are “smart” TVs. That is, they already come with streaming apps installed, such as Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube. What if you have an older device? Don’t worry. You can still stream on most devices—you may just need to add a small, inexpensive device, such as Roko, Amazon Fire TVStick, Chromecast, or Apple TV. Most can be plugged directly into an HDMI port, turning just about any TV into one that can stream.

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What if you don’t have an HDMI port? You’re still not out of luck. Many older TVs can still stream with the addition of an HDMI-to-component or HDMI-to-RCA converter, which you can pick up for around $10 to $20 online. That said, if you do have an older TV, it may actually be less expensive to upgrade. Plus, the new TV can be easier to set up and provide better picture quality, improving your entire viewing experience, so it’s at least worth considering.

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How to Set Up Your Streaming Device

Once you have your equipment sorted, it’s time to get setup. Don’t worry, it’s faster and easier than many people think. You can even use your smartphoneas your remote, making setup faster, easier, and far less maddening than tabbing through the letters on your TV’s remote.

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Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:

1.       Plug your device (or converter) in, and switch your TV to the correct input.

2.       Follow the on-screen prompts to connect your TV to Wi-Fi.

3.       Use your phone as a remote (for faster typing)with the Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, or Chromecast App.

4.       If you haven’t already, download your desired apps (e.g., Netflix, YouTube, Hulu)—more on that next.

5.       Sign in to your accounts or create new ones.

6.       Pick what you want to watch and start streaming!

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Most of the time, you have to do this only once. After everything is set up, your next watch is as simple as opening an app.

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Choosing the Right Streaming Service for You

You might already know which streaming service you want to watch. Perhaps you’ve heard your co-workers raving about a specific show on Netflix, or you want to catch the next game on YouTube. On the other hand, you may be overwhelmed by all of the choices—and it’s bringing back the frustration of too many channels and not knowing what to watch or even which streaming service to log into.

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With so many streaming choices, the key is to match the service to what you actually want to watch. (Don’t worry: because you don’t have to lock into long-term contracts, you can try on the service—often with a free trial—and if it isn’t the right match, it’s easy to cancel and move on.)

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Depending on your personality and the type of shows you enjoy, here are some ideas to get you started:

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·     Apple TV+: If you love beautifully-produced series, standout originals, and the shows everyone is talking about, this is your zone. You’ll find premium storytelling without scrolling through a giant library.

·     Netflix, MAX, YouTube, or Paramount+: If your idea of TV viewing is a movie night with plenty of new releases and classics to choose from, you can find extensive libraries. Paramount+ also offers blockbusters and CBS hits.

·     Disney+: For those who are franchise loyalists—think Marvel, Star Wars, Doctor Who, and Disney—or are looking for great family movie nights, you can’t go wrong with Disney+. Plus, it’s easy to expand your options as Disney+ bundles nicely with Hulu and MAX or ESPN.

·     For folks who are still connected to the biggest networks—CBS, NBC, ABC, or Fox—you can still stream them all.

o  CBS Live and CBS favorites can be found on Paramount+

o  NBC classics and next-day episodes can be found on Peacock

o  ABC and FOX next-day shows are on Hulu.

So, you can continue getting network TV without the cable bill. Speaking of which, if you don’t want to miss out on live TV, you can still watch news, sports, and local networks, often for far less. Look toward YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling, and Fubo.

·     Finally, if you want to spend less (or even nothing), you still have plenty of options: Pluto TV, Tubi, Freevee, or The Roku Channel. You may be surprised how much you can get for literally nothing once you start streaming. (You will, however, be back to the days of commercial interruptions.)

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Again, start with one or two based on what types of shows you enjoy. You can always move on to a new service to keep your viewing fresh and affordable!

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How Do I Stream onMy TV Takeaways

Moving from cable to streaming doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Once you’ve picked your streaming device, connected to Wi-Fi, and chosen a service (or more) that fits your viewing style, you’re free to watch what you really want to watch—without being tied to a long-term cable contract.

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Start small, enjoy experimenting, and adjust as you go. With today’s simple setup tools (and using your phone as a remote) and streaming services, watching TV is easier, more flexible, and more affordable than ever before. Personalizing your entertainment lineup is just a few clicks away. Really!