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Competition on the streaming market is fierce. Whichever service you choose to subscribe to comes with an overwhelming amount of content. Even Apple TV+, which offers the smallest content library of the bunch, has an impressive collection of original TV shows. Binge-watching them all would take months at least, and with new content constantly hitting streaming platforms, it’s safe to assume we won’t run out of series to obsess over anytime soon. That’s why it’s so frustrating to discover that one of your favorite shows is nowhere to be streamed.
Yet it’s understandable that streaming platforms can’t offer every show ever made. Licensing deals are complicated and expire. Netflix made a name for itself by buying basically anything networks were willing to sell to them. Eventually, said networks realised this might not be the smartest way to go, since a huge chunk of viewers prefer to stream on their own terms, without having to wait a week between episodes or sit through commercial breaks. That’s why more networks and studios have launched their own streaming apps. It also explains why platforms like Netflix are investing heavily in producing original content.
Unfortunately, this also means that TV shows can end up suspiciously missing from all streaming services, regardless of how popular or critically acclaimed they are. If that’s the case, you have two options. One: you purchase the series from digital retailers or on DVD. Two: you wait patiently for the show to make it to a streaming service and watch something else in the meantime to overcome FOMO (fear of missing out).
If you choose the latter, we have some suggestions that will help. Here are some of the best series currently not available on streaming platforms, along with recommendations of what to watch instead.
Year of release: 2007
Cast: Lee Pace, Anna Friel, Chi McBride, Kristin Chenoweth
Year of release: 2006
Cast: James Roday Rodriguez, Dulé Hill, Timothy Omundson
Psych may not be as eccentric as Pushing Daisies, but it's just as charming. The series follows a man with uncanny powers of observation who convinces the police that he's a psychic and starts solving cases with help from his reluctant best friend. Their bromance is the stuff of dreams. Plus, the show is hilarious, which is always a plus.
Year of release: 1994
Cast: Anthony Edwards, George Clooney, Julianna Margulies, Eriq La Salle
ER remains one of the most beloved medical dramas of all time. Set in Chicago, it follows the personal and professional lives of the doctors in the emergency room at County General Hospital. The show aired for 15 seasons, during which viewers experienced a rollercoaster of emotions, from joy to heartbreak. You might still stumble upon episodes on free-to-air TV and catch-up services, but that's not the ideal streaming experience now, is it?
Year of release: 2005
Cast: Ellen Pompeo, Chandra Wilson, James Pickens Jr.
Is there a more enduring medical drama? Not so far. Grey's Anatomy is still going strong 17 seasons in, delivering timely stories about life, death, love and healthcare. Similarly to ER, characters may come and go, but fans will always be there. You might as well join in the fun.
Year of release: 2011
Cast: Fred Armisen, Carrie Brownstein, Jonathan Krisel, Kyle MacLachlan
This absurdist series pokes fun at Portland and its eccentric, laid-back inhabitants. The show, starring comedic duo Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein, has never been hugely successful but managed to gather a loyal cult following during its eight-season run. It portrays hipster culture through well-crafted comedy sketches, continually challenging and surprising fans with its playful nature. It’s a tad niche, sure, but that doesn’t make it any less fun.
Year of release: 2009
Cast: Amy Poehler, Chris Pratt, Aubrey Plaza, Nick Offerman
Another show with a (larger) cult following, Parks and Recreation is both heartfelt and hilarious. With a brilliant ensemble cast, the series follows a group of employees from the Parks and Recreation Department of fictional Pawnee, Indiana. It’s a mockumentary, so expect a lot of dry humour and awkwardness, all part of the show’s charm.
Year of release: 1997
Cast: Tracy Grandstaff, Wendy Hoopes, Julian Rebolledo
An MTV animated hit, Daria centres on the titular character, a smart and cynical girl who goes through adolescence as a proud outsider. The iconic cartoon is funny, sarcastic, honest and brilliant. It's also the kind of show that feels timely even more than two decades later. Unfortunately, Daria is suspiciously absent from streaming services so far.
Year of release: 2014
Cast: Will Arnett, Amy Sedaris, Alison Brie, Aaron Paul
How does a show about a humanoid horse compare to a show about a high school student? Besides both being very good, they're also series that aren't afraid to tackle difficult subjects in a hilarious way. Moreover, there's a good chance that you'll see a bit of Daria in BoJack Horseman's Diane, who is hired to ghostwrite BoJack's biography in season one and the two end up developing a close friendship.
Sorry, we've found no buying or renting options for this title.
Year of release: 2006
Cast: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Clark Gregg, Hamish Linklater, Trevor Gagnon, Emily Rutherfurd
Starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus in top form, The New Adventures of Old Christine follows a divorced mom who juggles parenthood with running a women's gym. Things get more complicated when her ex starts dating a woman also named Christine – hence the 'old Christine' reference in the show's title. It's an endearing and hilarious series, so we're sorry to report it can't be streamed in Australia just yet.
Seinfeld revolutionised television. It gave viewers a show about nothing, with flawed yet oddly endearing characters. Hugely popular and critically acclaimed, the sitcom stands the test of time, proving just as hilarious today. It also stars Julia Louis-Dreyfus, so there's that.
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