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Best TV Shows to Stream This Week

Best TV Shows to Stream This Week

As stay-at-home orders are in place in the majority of the country, many Americans are finding themselves desperately looking for something new to watch on television. To satisfy this increased demand, streaming services are releasing both new and old content to their platforms on a daily basis.

Those who prefer streaming shows to movies face an additional risk in choosing the wrong series. One may watch multiple episodes before realizing he or she took a chance on the wrong show.

To help viewers navigate the many new options available, 24/7 Tempo has identified the 25 best TV shows to stream this week. Each of these series — in some cases, lone seasons — is new to the most popular streaming platforms as of the past two weeks and is highly ranked based on audience ratings from the Internet Movie Database (IMDb).

The programs featured on this list range from comedies to dramas to children’s programming. Some are classic series that first aired in the ’60s and ’70s and have just recently become available on streaming platforms. Others are much newer, with some debuting as recently as this year.

For those wishing to fully avoid the worst shows available to stream, here are the worst shows on Netflix.

 

To determine the best TV shows to stream this week, 24/7 Tempo identified all of the shows newly released to streaming platforms Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, Hulu, Amazon Video, HBO Now, and Apple TV Plus from April 6 through April 20 based on data from streaming data site JustWatch. We then ranked the series based on their Internet Movie Database average user ratings.

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Television

25. How to Get Away with Murder (2014-)
> Starring: Viola Davis, Billy Brown, Jack Falahee
> Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery
> Age rating: TV-14
> Recently added to: Hulu on April 17, 2020

Five new episodes of the ongoing sixth season of this crime drama have been added to Hulu. The series’ season finale will air this May. Previous seasons are available to stream on Netflix.

Source: Courtesy of No Distributor Found

24. Chicago P.D. (2014-)
> Starring: Jason Beghe, Jesse Lee Soffer, Patrick John Flueger
> Genre: Action, Crime, Drama
> Age rating: TV-14
> Recently added to: Hulu on April 17, 2020

New episodes from the seventh season of “Chicago P.D.” were recently added to Hulu. The seventh season of the crime drama was shortened because of the coronavirus pandemic. Developed by Law & Order creator Dick Wolf, the long-running series on NBC first aired in 2014.

Source: Courtesy of WarnerMedia Entertainment

23. Sesame Street (1969-)
> Starring: Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Caroll Spinney
> Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
> Age rating: TV-Y
> Recently added to: HBO Now on April 18, 2020

Twenty-three episodes of the 11th season of the children’s classic “Sesame Street” are now available to stream on HBO Now. The season first aired in 1979 and may appeal to both children and adults looking to take a trip down memory lane. Certain episodes even feature guest appearances by Star Wars’ C-3PO and R2-D2.

Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Television

22. North and South (1985)
> Starring: Kirstie Alley, Georg Stanford Brown, David Carradine
> Genre: Drama, History, Romance
> Age rating: N/A
> Recently added to: Amazon Video on April 18, 2020

The six-part television miniseries that first aired in 1985 focuses on the friendship of two men, one from the North and one from the South, who try to retain their friendship as the Civil War nears. “North and South” featured a galaxy of stars, among them Kirstie Alley, Georg Stanford Brown, David Carradine, Gene Kelly, Robert Mitchum, Johnny Cash, and Lesley-Anne Down. The series, now available on Amazon Video, was nominated for two Golden Globes and has a rating of 8.1 of out 10 among users on IMDb.

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Television

21. TRON: Uprising (2012-2013)
> Starring: Elijah Wood, Tricia Helfer, Charlie Bean
> Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure
> Age rating: TV-Y7
> Recently added to: Disney Plus on April 15, 2020

This animated series, based on the Tron films, ran for only one season. That season is now available in its entirety on Disney Plus. The show, which follows a program named Beck (voiced by Elijah Wood) who becomes a revolutionary warrior in The Grid, has a rating of 8.2 out of 10 from users on IMDb. The show won an Emmy for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation in 2013.

Source: Courtesy of No Distributor Found

20. Velvet (2013-2016)
> Starring: Paula Echevarría, Miguel Ángel Silvestre, Aitana Sánchez-Gijón
> Genre: Adventure, Drama, Romance
> Age rating: N/A
> Recently added to: Amazon Video on April 18, 2020

All four seasons of this light-hearted Spanish series about a fashion heir who seduces a seamstress in the 1950s are now available for streaming on Netflix. Among the show’s cast is Miguel Ángel Silvestre, who has appeared in the Netflix series “Sense8” and “Narcos.”

Source: Courtesy of No Distributor Found

19. Strike Back (2010-2020)
> Starring: Philip Winchester, Sullivan Stapleton, Michelle Lukes
> Genre: Action, Drama, Thriller
> Age rating: TV-MA
> Recently added to: Amazon Video on April 18, 2020

Cinemax series “Strike Back” follows the dealings of a British military intelligence secret unit Section 20 as members embark on action-packed missions across the globe. The first three seasons of the show are available to stream via Amazon Prime Videos, with seasons four through seven available on Amazon Video. The show recently aired the final episode of its eighth season.

Source: Courtesy of No Distributor Found

18. Veep (2012-2019)
> Starring: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Tony Hale, Anna Chlumsky
> Genre: Comedy
> Age rating: TV-MA
> Recently added to: Hulu on April 10, 2020

Julia Louis-Dreyfus has built on her success as an ensemble player on the “Seinfeld” hit series with an Emmy-Award winning stint on “Veep” in which she plays the vice president of the United States. The series ran for seven seasons and 65 episodes and is available on Hulu.

Source: Courtesy of yes Studios

17. Fauda (2015-)
> Starring: Lior Raz, Itzik Cohen, Neta Garty
> Genre: Action, Drama, Thriller
> Age rating: TV-MA
> Recently added to: Netflix on April 16, 2020

“Fauda,” which means chaos in Arabic, is a Netflix series made in Israel that has been praised for its balanced depiction of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The drama-thriller, which has been favorably compared with the war-on-terror series “Homeland,” has run for three seasons and 36 episodes. A fourth season of “Fauda” is planned.

Source: Courtesy of National Geographic Channel

16. Brain Games (2011-)
> Starring: Jason Silva, Bert Thomas Morris, Apollo Robbins
> Genre: Documentary, Comedy, Drama
> Age rating: TV-G
> Recently added to: Disney Plus on April 17, 2020

This National Geographic Television-produced documentary series explores cognitive science from numerous entertaining angles. The entire series is available to stream on Disney Plus, including the most recent episodes hosted by Keegan-Michael Key.

Source: Courtesy of Walt Disney Television

15. What We Do in the Shadows (2019-)
> Starring: Kayvan Novak, Matt Berry, Natasia Demetriou
> Genre: Comedy, Fantasy, Horror
> Age rating: TV-MA
> Recently added to: Amazon Video on April 16, 2020

“What We Do in the Shadows,” which originated on FX, is a comedy-horror series about the daily lives of three vampires who’ve lived together for more than 100 years on Staten Island. The quirky, off-center series has a 94% Freshness rating among critics and audiences on Rotten Tomatoes and is now available on Amazon Video.

Source: Courtesy of No Distributor Found

14. Bosch (2014-)
> Starring: Titus Welliver, Jamie Hector, Amy Aquino
> Genre: Crime, Drama
> Age rating: TV-MA
> Recently added to: Amazon Prime Video on April 17, 2020

All six seasons of “Bosch” to have aired up to this point — a seventh will premiere next year — are currently available on Amazon Prime Video. The show follows the often reckless homicide detective Harry Bosch as he pursues justice in L.A.

Source: Courtesy of KVH Media Group

13. Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013-)
> Starring: Andy Samberg, Stephanie Beatriz, Terry Crews
> Genre: Comedy, Crime
> Age rating: TV-14
> Recently added to: Hulu on April 17, 2020

A new episode of the comedy police series has been added to Hulu. The show, which stars Andy Samberg, Stephanie Beatriz, and Terry Crews, is nearing the end of its seventh season.

Source: Courtesy of Netflix

12. Hi Bye, Mama! (2020-)
> Starring: Tae-hee Kim, Kyoo-hyung Lee, Ko Bo-Gyeol
> Genre: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
> Age rating: N/A
> Recently added to: Netflix on April 19, 2020

This trippy new series from Japan that is now available on Netflix is about a mom who dies and her ghost is given 49 days for a chance at returning to life. The comedy-drama has received a score of 8.4 out of 10 among IMDb users, and at least 13 of the episodes have received a score of 9 or higher.

Source: Courtesy of No Distributor Found

11. Big Little Lies (2017-2019)
> Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley
> Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery
> Age rating: TV-MA
> Recently added to: Hulu on April 10, 2020

Hulu recently added both seasons of the critically acclaimed HBO series “Big Little Lies.” The murder mystery stars top Hollywood talent, including Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley, Laura Dern, and — in the second season — Meryl Streep. It won four Golden Globe Awards.

Source: Courtesy of No Distributor Found

10. My Brilliant Friend (2018-)
> Starring: Margherita Mazzucco, Gaia Girace, Annarita Vitolo
> Genre: Drama, Romance
> Age rating: TV-MA
> Recently added to: HBO Now on April 14, 2020

“My Brilliant Friend” is a two-season HBO series that explores the complexity of relationships as experienced by two women in Italy over a lifetime. The series is based on bestselling stories from author Elena Ferrante.

Source: Courtesy of National Geographic

9. The Incredible Dr. Pol (2011-)
> Starring: Jan Pol, Diane Pol, Charles Pol
> Genre: Documentary, Reality-TV
> Age rating: TV-14
> Recently added to: Disney Plus on April 15, 2020

The 16-season documentary, reality-TV series follows the exploits of decidedly old-school veterinary doctor Jan Pol in Michigan who specializes in the care of large farm animals. The 173-episode series is available on Disney Plus.

Source: Courtesy of Kino Lorber

8. The Bureau (2015-)
> Starring: Mathieu Kassovitz, Florence Loiret Caille, Sara Giraudeau
> Genre: Drama
> Age rating: TV-MA
> Recently added to: Amazon Prime Video on April 13, 2020

This French television series (“Le Bureau des Légendes”) follows a French intelligence officer as he adapts to life back home following undercover deployment in Syria. The show currently has a user rating of 8.7 out of 10 on IMDb, with nearly 5,000 votes. The first season is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video, though it’s scheduled to leave the platform on May 1.

Source: Courtesy of Warner Home Video

7. Westworld (2016-)
> Starring: Evan Rachel Wood, Jeffrey Wright, Ed Harris
> Genre: Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi
> Age rating: TV-MA
> Recently added to: HBO Now on April 13, 2020

HBO’s “Westworld” portrays a dystopian world based around robot-filled theme parks where guests can indulge in their wildest fantasies. It is currently in its third season, with new episodes being added to HBO Now. The first two seasons are both also available on the platform.

Source: Courtesy of CBS Television Distribution

6. The Carol Burnett Show (1967-1978)
> Starring: Carol Burnett, Vicki Lawrence, Harvey Korman
> Genre: Comedy, Family
> Age rating: TV-G
> Recently added to: Amazon Video on April 17, 2020

Fans of Carol Burnett’s sketch comedy show will be delighted to find its 10th season available on Amazon Prime Video. The series — which ran for a total of 11 seasons beginning in 1967 — was among the most successful in comedy television history, winning eight Golden Globes and 25 Emmy awards before ending.

Source: Courtesy of HBO

5. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (2014-)
> Starring: John Oliver, David Kaye, Ryan Barger
> Genre: Comedy, News, Talk-Show
> Age rating: TV-MA
> Recently added to: HBO Now on April 13, 2020

“Last Week Tonight with John Oliver,” hosted by British comedian John Oliver, is a late-night satirical look at the news. The show has won 16 Primetime Emmys since it premiered on HBO in 2014. It began its seventh season this past February.

Source: Courtesy of Cooking Channel

4. Good Eats (1999-2012)
> Starring: Alton Brown, Brett Soll, Vickie Eng
> Genre: Documentary, Comedy
> Age rating: TV-G
> Recently added to: Amazon Video on April 14, 2020

“Good Eats” is a long-running favorite of foodies nationwide, enjoying a score of 8.9 out of 10 among users on IMDb. The show was first aired in 1999 and ran for 14 seasons. “Good Eats” is now available on Amazon Video. Alton Brown created and stars in the show, which totaled 252 episodes.

Source: Courtesy of No Distributor Found

3. Still Game (2002-)
> Starring: Ford Kiernan, Greg Hemphill, Paul Riley
> Genre: Comedy
> Age rating: TV-14
> Recently added to: Netflix on April 16, 2020

Season 8 of the Scottish cult comedy “Still Game” is now available on Netflix, along with all preceding seasons. The show about two elderly Glaswegians has an exemplary rating of 9.0 out of 10 on IMDb and has won numerous awards, primarily in Scotland.

Source: Courtesy of No Distributor Found

2. Rick and Morty (2013-)
> Starring: Justin Roiland, Chris Parnell, Spencer Grammer
> Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
> Age rating: TV-14
> Recently added to: Amazon Video on April 13, 2020

The animated fan-favorite about a genius alcoholic scientist and his nervous grandson has an exceptional rating of 9.2 out of 10 on IMDb. Episodes of the show’s current fourth season are now available on Amazon Video for $2.99 each. Past seasons can be streamed on Hulu.

Source: Courtesy of No Distributor Found

1. Some Good News (2020-)
> Starring: John Krasinski, Emily Blunt, Carleigh Bettiol
> Genre: Comedy, News, Talk-Show
> Age rating: TV-PG
> Recently added to: Amazon Prime Video on April 19, 2020

Actor/director John Krasinski, who became a star on the mockumentary-style sitcom “The Office,” hosts this comedy-news documentary on YouTube about sharing good news and pointing out good deeds. The timing of the series could not be better. Among the stars who have appeared on the show are singer Billie Eilish and actor Brad Pitt.

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