Remember when you were allowed to stay up to watch your favorite TV show? Watching TV then and now

Do you remember those days? The tension of waiting until you finally got to watch that one episode of your favorite TV show. You were ready, in your pajamas with washed hair, and the whole evening revolved around that one moment. Watching TV was a little party. Whether it was the weekly highlight of 'The Honeymoon Quiz' with Ron Brandsteder, Sunday morning TV with Theo and Thea or a movie night with the whole family - it was something you really looked forward to.

Nowadays, there are countless ways to watch TV. With platforms like Netflix and Videoland, we never have to wait. You can watch everything on demand , at any time of the day. But is watching TV really better than it used to be? Let's take a look back and discover how we can still enjoy that old-fashioned TV moment, but with a modern twist.

TV nostalgia: remember?

In the 80s and 90s, it was all about that one moment of the week when your favorite show came on. You knew exactly what time you had to be ready, because if you missed it, there was no second chance. Recording on a videotape? That was an option, of course, but then you needed a blank tape and you had to set the right time – and hope that no one accidentally turned off the TV during the recording.

Remember how you used to run straight home after school to not miss any of your favorite shows? The excitement of the beginning of an episode, watching it together with friends and the regular commercial breaks in between. Watching TV was a real experience back then . It wasn’t just about the program itself, but also about the atmosphere around it. A bowl of popcorn on your lap, blankets on the couch and sometimes even a hot chocolate – that was pure enjoyment.

From Cable to Streaming: The Revolution of TV Viewing

Although we are no longer obliged to sit in front of the TV at a certain time, something has been lost. The rise of streaming services such as NLZIET , Netflix, Videoland and Disney+ means that we now decide for ourselves what we watch and when. It is convenient, absolutely. But the magic of that shared TV moment, waiting together, is a bit gone.

Back in the day, you would watch a new episode of a series together and the next day at school or work everyone would talk about that one cliffhanger. Now we all watch at our own pace. You can literally "binge" an entire series in one weekend. Handy? Definitely. But sometimes a bit of a shame.

This way watching TV remains a party

Even though the way we watch TV has changed, that doesn’t mean that watching TV has to be any less fun. In fact, with a few simple adjustments, you can easily bring back that old-fashioned feeling of TV nostalgia . How? Here are a few tips to make your viewing evening a little party again:

1. Plan your TV night : Consciously choose a night where you really take the time to sit down for your favorite show. Put your phone on silent and make it cozy with candles, snacks and a blanket.

2. Watch together : Meet up with friends or your partner and watch that one series or movie together. Laughing, crying or sympathizing together makes it so much more fun.

3. Make it a ritual : Just like in the old days, you can make your TV night a fixed ritual. Choose a fixed time, put on your pajamas, make sure the snacks are ready and enjoy.

4. Enjoy the quality : A big advantage of watching TV now is that you can enjoy beautiful HD images and sound. Take advantage of that! Create a nice atmosphere with good image quality and a nice sound.

Streaming services: everything at your fingertips, but...

Streaming services have given us the convenience of watching TV at any time. Whether you want to watch an entire series in one go or just quickly catch up on an episode, everything is possible. But sometimes it’s good to think back to how it used to be, when you really took the time to watch your favorite show. We can still create that feeling, even in an age of unlimited supply.

So put on your pajamas, make some popcorn and plan another old-fashioned TV night. Because whether it's nostalgia or a modern viewing experience, watching TV is still a great moment of relaxation!