The 1970s gave us many TV shows that still feel fresh and fun today. If you love simple stories, strong characters, and classic styles, this decade has a lot to offer. This article shows how to find 1970s programs streaming now, which services usually carry them, and how to sort lists so you pick the best ones quickly.
Why the 1970s matter on TV
Television in the 1970s changed a lot. Shows mixed comedy and real life. Some tackled big issues and some were pure escape. Many series from that time set the rules for later TV. Because so many of these shows were popular, streaming libraries keep them available. You can watch old favorites or discover shows you missed the first time.
Where to browse full lists of 1970s shows
The easiest place to start is a streaming index that collects titles from many services in one place. Several web tools let you browse the full list of 1970s TV shows streaming online and filter by service, popularity, or user ratings. One such index collects hundreds of titles from services like Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, HBO and many free channels, and it lets you sort the results by different options such as popularity or editorial ranking.
Using a list like this saves time. Instead of checking each streaming app, you see where a show is available and whether it is included with a subscription or offered for free. These indexes often break results down by service — for example, you can view only shows on Hulu, or just those on HBO — making it easier to plan what to watch next.
Which streaming services carry 1970s shows
Here are the main services that commonly host 1970s titles:
- Netflix — Has a rotating selection of classic TV. Netflix sometimes adds remastered or curated collections.
- Hulu — Often has a strong library of classic American sitcoms and dramas from the 1970s. Shows like family sitcoms and network hits frequently appear there.
- Prime Video (Amazon) — Offers many older series either with Prime or as add-on purchases. Prime often includes box sets of popular 1970s shows.
- HBO (and HBO Max / Max) — Tends to carry curated classics and restored seasons of certain legacy series. Some drama-heavy titles land here.
- Free and ad-supported services — YouTube (free), Roku Channel, Tubi, Pluto, and similar platforms often host many 1970s episodes without extra cost. Index pages let you filter to only free services.
Remember: the exact shows available on each platform change over time. Using a central list that updates frequently helps you see the current availability.
Which 1970s shows are most popular to watch now
Several titles keep appearing in many “best of the 1970s” lists and remain popular with viewers today. Examples often named by critics and viewers include MAS*H, Happy Days, All in the Family, Charlie’s Angels, and the earlier seasons of Saturday Night Live. These shows shaped comedy, drama, and variety formats and still attract new viewers.
If you sort a streaming index by popularity or by user rating, these familiar names usually rise to the top. But popularity filters also help you find hidden gems that fewer people know but that have high viewer scores.
How to search and sort effectively
When you open a large streaming index, use a simple plan:
- Pick the year range – choose the 1970s or a specific year in that decade.
- Filter by service – if you only have one subscription, show titles available on that platform.
- Sort by popularity or rating – “popularity” finds what many people watch now; “rating” finds highly rated but maybe less watched shows.
- Check episode count and run time – some 1970s series have many short episodes, which is great for casual watching.
- Scan for restored or remastered labels – if you care about picture or sound quality, prefer restored versions.
Using those steps makes the search quick and helps you find a show that fits your time and mood.
Types of 1970s shows you will find
The decade offered many kinds of shows. Here are a few types and what to expect from each:
- Family sitcoms — Light, easy stories you can watch without background knowledge. Good for feel-good viewing.
- Workplace comedies — Sitcoms set at jobs (police stations, offices, restaurants) with steady humor and recurring characters.
- Dramas — Some 1970s dramas tackled social issues and are still studied for their writing and acting.
- Crime and detective shows — Gritty or clever shows with cases of the week.
- Variety and sketch shows — Early seasons of late-night or sketch programs can feel raw but energetic.
Index pages let you filter by genre so you can pick the style you prefer.
Tips to get the best viewing experience
- Use subtitles — Older shows sometimes have accents or audio that benefit from subtitles.
- Check episode order — Some databases list episodes by production order; if you want story order, double-check.
- Look for collections — Some services sell restored box sets that improve picture and audio quality.
- Try free trials or ad-supported options — If a show is only on a service you don’t subscribe to, first check if a free tier or trial is available.
- Explore extras — Some streaming pages include interviews, commentaries, or documentaries about the show’s making.
Example quick picks to start with
(These are titles often recommended, and you will likely find them on streaming indexes or the services listed above.)
- MAS*H — A blend of comedy and drama with strong characters.
- Happy Days — A warm family and teen show with a strong cultural place in the decade.
- All in the Family — A sharp comedy that tackled social topics in its time.
- Columbo — A clever detective format with a famous lead performance.
Use the streaming index to check which platform currently carries each title where you live.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How do I find a full list of shows from the 1970s that I can stream now?
A: Start with a streaming index that covers many services. These indexes let you browse the full list of 1970s TV shows streaming online, filter by service (Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, HBO, free services) and sort by popularity or rating. They update often so you see what is currently available.
Q: Are most 1970s shows available on paid services or free platforms?
A: Both. Some big hits appear on paid services, while many episodes and lesser-known shows are available on free, ad-supported platforms. A combined search helps you spot free options.
Q: Can I sort by the most popular 1970s shows today?
A: Yes. Use the sorting tools on a streaming index to order results by current popularity or by user ratings. This shows what people watch most now and what critics or users rate highly.
Q: Will the same 1970s shows be available in every country?
A: No. Streaming rights differ by region. A show available on one service in your country might be on a different service elsewhere. Use a global index and set your local region if the tool allows it to get accurate results.
Q: Where should I start if I want a short first binge?
A: Choose a sitcom or a detective show with short, self-contained episodes. These let you watch one episode at a time without needing long context. Look for episode counts and runtime on the index before you start.
Final notes
The 1970s left a rich list of shows that still entertain. If you want to browse everything in one place, use a streaming index to browse the full list of 1970s TV shows streaming online and filter by service or popularity. This saves time and shows where each program lives right now. Enjoy exploring — the decade has both warm comfort viewing and thoughtful drama to suit many moods.
If you want, I can suggest a short watchlist of five shows to start with based on whether you like comedy, drama, or mysteries. Which genre would you pick?
