New Year: What's New on Netflix

For as long as I can recall, we have had cable television, with access to literally every channel you could think of to watch. We had standard cable channels, premium cable channels and every sports channel package available. However, over the holiday break, I informed my husband that all this excess cable needed to go. Hundreds of channels were not being watched, cable boxes were not getting used and we do not need every sports channel know to man airing through our home.

We have Netflix and frankly, I don't know what else you could possibly need?! This was a hard sell to my husband, let me tell you! He ranted and raved, I stopped all arguments with logic and the bottom line to the bank account. Finally, my husband relented. Cable boxes were unplugged and returned, accounts were cancelled, and a couple of wireless antennas were purchased because someone is not happy unless they watch the news every single day. 

I couldn't be happier with my new non-existent cable bill! Seriously, cable is so expensive and I've been trying for years to get rid of it. I am so happy to say that 2018 will be a year without a cable bill! My kids are a bit grumbly and fussy as they no longer have access to 24-hour cartoons. But, the television is off a lot more than it used to be in their play room. 

Without the flow of constant news and sports in my home, my husband and I are sitting in the same room now and actually watching more streaming shows together. I refuse to watch the news as it is either sad, utterly ridiculous or I am left shaking my head in amazement . . . and really, I don't know why things still surprise me, but they do. 

We live in Chicago and this fabulous city has five professional sports team. My husband is an avid fan of three of the major sports teams. He is glued to the television, wears special shirts, screams and shouts at the tv, like they can hear him, but I will no longer have to endure these games as they overlap from season to season. Hallelujah! {He did download apps on our smart tv, but I am no longer subjected to hours on end of sports)

So we are basically in our home with streaming tv, Netflix to be exact. We have had Netflix for years and would watch a lot of our favorite shows that are Netflix originals. But now, that Netflix is a primarily source of streaming television, I have found a great number of new shows that I have never had the opportunity to watch (see above mentioned news and sports).

My husband and I have been enjoying a lot of new original Netflix shows and movies and other entertaining programs as well. I'm still highly drawn to all things British, so I don't think I will ever give up any show with a British accent! 

Season Two of the Shannara Chronicles streamed and I finished this amazing show quickly. I was waiting for season two of the Shannara Chronicles for what seemed like forever. Loved the new characters and can't wait for season three, just hoping it doesn't take as long!

My husband has been streaming Taken and really enjoys this show. I have yet to take a peek at this show, but he really liked Taken. 

Trolls: The Beat Goes On! picks up right where the hit movie left off, and follows the adventures of Poppy, Branch and all their Troll friends. Trolls: The Beat Goes On! premieres on Netflix January 19. My daughters are HUGE fans of Trolls and streamed right through! #totsadorbs is all I can say!

My entire family has been waiting for season two of  A Series of Unfortunate Events .  We are avid readers of the original books and LOVED season one of A Series of Unfortunate Events. The dark comedy series following the ill-fated Baudelaire siblings returns on March 30 for a second suspense-filled season with Neil Patrick Harris reprising his role as the cunning Count Olaf. Woot!

I don't know about you, but I read to my kids for well over a decade, every single night at bed time. My kids all adore the boots about a certain llama. I mean, who doesn't love the llama, llama book series? And now?!  The beloved bedtime stories are on Netflix, with the launch of the official animated Llama Llama series on January 26.

Here is another original show I am super intrigued about on Netflix. Buckle up for Altered Carbon, a fast-paced cyberpunk series where death isn’t permanent and human consciousness can be digitized and downloaded from body to body. Get ready for the noir murder mystery coming to Netflix on February 2. I know what I will be doing this weekend!

Now, Netflix is always surprising me with their original content and how much content is available and how much is NEW. Way more than the cable we paid dearly for - for years!! I am super excited for all the new content coming in the next two months.

New content this February:

Regina King-starring crime drama Seven Seconds goes beyond the headlines of race relations and law enforcement.

The standard coming-of-age story is turned on its head with a set of dueling A/V and drama clubs set in 1990s Oregon in Everything Sucks! 

Four bright and savvy friends are growing up and navigating their way through life in South Central LA in On My Block.

New content this March:

Mark your calendars for family blockbuster nights with new takes on classic stories! I'm so excited for this announcement! Get ready to welcome back the most lovable dog in Hollywood with Benji coming to Netflix in March. I can't wait to introduce my daughters to Benji - I LOVED these movies when I was a kid!   

Disclosure: This post is part of my involvement as a Netflix #StreamTeam Member. All opinions are my own. #NetflixKids #Netflix #NetflixMoms Want to learn more about Netflix Streaming? Subscriptions start at $11.99/month.