How to Turn Your Regular TV Into a Smart TV for Less Than $50

Watch Netflix, Hulu, and More on Any Television

Do you have a TV that's a few years old? You can still use it to watch streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube TV. All you need is a small device called a streaming stick. It plugs into your TV and gives you access to all the shows and movies you want to watch.

A streaming stick is about the size of a thumb drive. You plug it into your TV's HDMI port (the same place you might plug in a DVD player), and suddenly your regular TV can do everything a smart TV can do.

Why Use a Streaming Stick?

Save Money: Instead of buying a new smart TV for $500-1000, you can upgrade your current TV for $30-60.

Easy Setup: Plug it in, connect to your internet, and start watching in 15 minutes.

All Your Shows in One Place: Access Netflix, Hulu, YouTube TV, and dozens of other services from one device.

Works with Any TV: As long as your TV has an HDMI port (most TVs from the last 15 years do), a streaming stick will work.

The Three Best Streaming Sticks

We recommend these three options because they're reliable, easy to use, and work well with Starry internet:

1. Roku Streaming Stick ($50)

Best for: People who want the simplest setup and most channels

What You Get:

• Access to Netflix, Hulu, YouTube TV, and over 500 other channels
• Many free channels with movies and TV shows
• Simple remote with big buttons
• Voice control - just press a button and say what you want to watch

Why Seniors Like It:

• The menu is easy to read with large text
• Customer support is helpful and patient
• Works the same way every time
• Comes with clear setup instructions

"I was worried it would be too complicated, but my grandson set it up in 10 minutes. Now I watch my morning news on YouTube TV and my shows on Netflix. The remote is simple and the picture is crystal clear." - Mary, age 73, Denver

2. Amazon Fire TV Stick ($40)

Best for: Amazon Prime members and people who like voice control

What You Get:

• All major streaming services (Netflix, Hulu, YouTube TV)
• Free shows and movies if you have Amazon Prime
• Alexa voice control built-in
• Can control some smart home devices

Why It's Good for Beginners:

• Alexa can help you find shows by just talking to the remote
• Amazon Prime members get extra free content
• Stores your favorite shows on the home screen
• Simple voice commands like "Play the news" or "Find comedies"

3. Google Chromecast with Google TV ($50)

Best for: People who use Android phones or Google services

What You Get:

• All popular streaming apps
• Google Assistant voice control
• Recommendations based on what you like to watch
• Easy to control with your phone

Good to Know:

• Works especially well if you have a Gmail account or Android phone
• Can show your photos on the TV
• Simple voice search
• Learns what you like to watch and suggests new shows

How to Choose the Right One

Choose Roku if:

• You want the easiest device to use
• You like having lots of free channel options
• You want the clearest menu and biggest buttons

Choose Amazon Fire TV if:

• You already have Amazon Prime
• You want the best voice control
• You like the idea of ordering things through your TV

Choose Google Chromecast if:

• You have an Android phone or use Gmail
• You want personalized show recommendations
• You like using your phone as a remote

Setting Up Your Streaming Stick

Don't worry - setup is much easier than programming an old VCR:

1. Plug the stick into an HDMI port on your TV
2. Plug the power cord into a wall outlet
3. Turn on your TV and switch to the HDMI input
4. Follow the setup steps on your TV screen
5. Connect to your internet (you'll need your WiFi password)
6. Sign into your streaming accounts (Netflix, Hulu, etc.)

Most streaming sticks include step-by-step instructions with pictures. If you get stuck, each company has phone support to walk you through setup.

What You Can Watch

Once your streaming stick is set up, you'll have access to:

News:

• Local news through YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV
• CNN, Fox News, MSNBC
• Weather Channel

Movies and Shows:

• Netflix (new movies and TV series)
• Hulu (next-day TV shows)
• Amazon Prime Video (movies and original shows)
• Disney+ (family movies and shows)

Sports:

• ESPN through YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV
• Local sports on network channels
• MLB, NBA, NFL apps for specific teams

Free Content:

• YouTube (everything from news to cooking shows)
• Roku Channel (free movies and TV)
• Crackle (free movies)
• Local news station apps

Your Internet Connection Matters

Streaming sticks work best with fast, reliable internet. That's where Starry comes in. Our internet service is designed for streaming:

• Fast speeds that don't slow down when you're watching shows
• Reliable connection that doesn't cut out during your favorite programs
• No data limits - watch as much as you want

With Starry internet and a streaming stick, you'll get better picture quality than cable, more channel options, and save money every month.

Getting Help

Need help choosing? Visit a Starry store where our team can recommend the best streaming stick for your needs and help you understand how it works with our internet service.

Need help setting up? Most streaming sticks come with phone support. You can also ask a family member or friend to help - they'll probably enjoy showing you how it works.

The Bottom Line

For less than $50, you can turn any TV into a smart TV. Combined with Starry internet, you'll have access to more shows and movies than cable ever offered, plus you'll save money every month.

Ready to get started?

• Choose a streaming stick that fits your needs
• Make sure you have fast internet (call Starry at 1-888-STARRY-1)
• Set it up and start watching your favorite shows

You don't need to buy a new TV or stick with expensive cable. A simple streaming stick gives you everything you need to enjoy modern TV.