I brought back cable TV for 7 days using Netflix —and it fixed my biggest problem with streaming

Streaming platforms were supposed to revolutionize television viewing. They promised us the freedom to watch whatever we desired, whenever we wanted, without the constraints of rigid TV schedules or waiting for the next episode. However, this newfound freedom seemed to strip away an essential element: structure. Deciding what to watch now often took longer than actually watching the show, leading to decision paralysis.

For a week, I decided to reintroduce the structure of traditional cable TV using only modern streaming services. My approach was straightforward: create a personalized evening schedule with specific shows assigned to designated times. At 6 p.m., I kicked off my evenings with heavyweight dramas such as "The Queen's Gambit" and "The Crown," both available on Netflix. These shows provided the kind of appointment television that once made a night in front of the screen feel like a special occasion.