Buzz
If you’re anything like me, your Netflix watchlist is packed with shows you’ve been meaning to binge, and your Hulu favorites could keep you scrolling endlessly. Add in multiple profiles, and every member of your household likely has their own lengthy list of shows they’ve either started or plan to watch. Here’s how to keep everything organized so you’ll always have something to enjoy.
Centralize All Your Saved Shows in One Spot
Chances are, you already have a Netflix queue (possibly one for each family member), a Hulu favorites list, and maybe even some bookmarked TV shows or movies on Amazon Video. When you’re ready to relax in front of the TV, figuring out which platform hosts your desired show or whether it’s available at all can be a hassle. Fortunately, there are tools that can track and organize your TV shows and movies into a single queue, so you’ll always know where to find them:
Can I Stream It? is the go-to search engine for finding TV shows and movies on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, iTunes, YouTube, and more. Simply type in your search, and if you create an account, you can save your searches or favorite programs. This way, if they’re not currently available, you’ll be notified when they are, or you can keep them in your queue for future reference.
Go Watch It works similarly to Can I Stream It? but places more emphasis on movies. It also includes theaters, DVD and Blu-ray release dates, and cable provider On-Demand schedules alongside online streaming services. Build your queue, and you’ll instantly know where to watch your chosen content.
Watch It Stream is another straightforward search tool. By signing up for an account, you can create a watchlist and use their Chrome extension to add items from anywhere online. It searches paid platforms like Amazon and iTunes, and while its database for some services (like Hulu) may be slightly outdated, it performs well overall.
The primary aim of these services is to consolidate your scattered queues and favorites lists into a single, unified watchlist. This way, you can easily work through it whenever you’re searching for something new to watch. Since platforms like iTunes and Amazon don’t offer a straightforward way to save shows for future reference, it’s beneficial to gather them all in one place alongside your Netflix or Hulu selections—even if you’re not planning to purchase them. Additionally, these tools can notify you when something you’re interested in becomes available or simply remind you to buy, rip, or download it for streaming.
Utilize Tools to Monitor What You’ve Already Watched
After creating a unified queue, you could simply remove items as you watch them, but where’s the enjoyment in that? Plus, if you decide to revisit a show later, you’d have to figure out where it was all over again. Here are some handy tools to help you keep track of what you’ve already seen:
We’re being a bit playful here: If you’ve watched something on your list, it makes sense to remove it to avoid cluttering your queue with unfinished content. However, some apps can help you dive deeper into the world of a show you loved, find it again for a rewatch, discuss it with friends online, or remind you to grab the Blu-ray when it’s released.
Create a Shared Calendar or Household TV Guide
If you, your roommates, siblings, kids, or anyone else in your household is passionate about TV and movies, combining all these tools can result in an overwhelming mega-list that’s difficult to manage. While they work well for small groups or couples, the larger the group and the list, the more chaotic it becomes. Instead, consider creating a household viewing calendar or programming guide to streamline things.
If you prefer the idea of a shared notebook for everyone’s favorites, we recommend using Springpad for a more visual approach—it’s slightly more visually appealing than Evernote, though both work well. It automatically categorizes TV shows and movies and adds relevant details. Alternatively, you could set up a shared Google Calendar with input from everyone involved, filling it with shows you want to watch, their air times, availability for download, or expiration dates on Netflix or Hulu.
If you need assistance creating a precise schedule, Episode Calendar is a free service that helps you build a calendar with on-air programs and additional details for each show. It notifies you when new episodes air, tracks upcoming releases, and more. You can even try their public guest calendar to see how it works before committing.
I realized I was in over my head when I couldn’t remember whether the show I wanted to watch was in my Hulu favorites, Netflix queue, or if I’d seen it on Amazon VOD or downloaded it weeks ago. The irony was that I don’t even watch much TV—I just had a growing backlog of shows I intended to watch someday. Thankfully, these tools helped me (and can help you) stay organized, ensuring you never miss or forget something you’ve been eager to check out.
