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5 Apps That Tell You When and Where Something’s Streaming on TV

These no-cost options free you up from checking Google or your social circle about the latest releases.

Relying on Google or Alexa to let you know when new seasons of shows like Outlander and Yellowstone premiere is fairly common. You probably do the same for streaming new movies like John Wick 4. However, it can be time-consuming to look up upcoming release dates for Netflix, Disney Plus, Max and any other streaming services.

So what’s the best way to hunt for which titles will be available on a streaming platform? Write it on a sticky note? Add it to your phone’s calendar? Use the streaming app’s reminder feature? All these techniques are useful, but there are apps that can do it better.

Here are my suggestions for free apps that help you track streaming TV shows and films you plan to watch, ones you’re already immersed in and titles you may be curious about but need solid recommendations. They can alert you when new episodes are set to drop or remind you where you left off in a show. I should mention that some apps below are integrated with Trakt, a web-based platform that syncs with your PC, phone or home media center, but its native app is still pretty clunky, so we left it off this list. 

Read more: Max: The 34 Absolute Best TV Shows to Watch

TV Time app display with thumbnails for The Boys, Evil, Marvel Studios: Assembled TV Time app display with thumbnails for The Boys, Evil, Marvel Studios: Assembled

Screenshot by Kourtnee Jackson/CNET

TV Time tracks TV shows and movies, pitches recommendations and connects you with fellow fans on social media. The app is available for Android and Apple users and you can sign up for an account using Google, Apple, Twitter, Facebook or email. To get started, choose what shows you’ve watched on which streaming service (or network). Interestingly, when scrolling through Hulu’s selections, only its originals are listed but the app tells you that you can add more later.

With TV Time, you can choose from multiple lineups, including Trending Shows like Ted Lasso, Demon Slayer or Grey’s Anatomy. There are also categories for genres, a «Most Added» section with titles such as You and even a «Most Added Animation Series» row.

Once you lock in your choices, TV Time collates a Watch List and suggests which episodes of your chosen shows you should watch next. There’s a separate tab labeled «Upcoming» that outlines the day and time that new episodes drop. Thanks to TV Time, I now know the exact premiere dates for The Witcher season 3 on Netflix and the new season of Reservation Dogs on Hulu.

The app also prompts you to check off which movies you’ve watched, and the list spans decades, platforms and genres. Once you’ve completed that step, TV Time then asks what movies you want to watch. Here is where you search for specific titles or pick from TV Time’s trending list to add them to a calendar. 

Additionally, you can filter your TV Time display by progress — including what you finished, shows and movies you stopped midway or what you’re currently watching.

justwatch app showing NFL streaming guide justwatch app showing NFL streaming guide

Screenshot by Kourtnee Jackson/CNET

You may already be familiar with JustWatch as an app that curates where a title is streaming, but you can also make a watchlist, track upcoming releases, and watch a show with a single click. Once you open the app, you can select each streaming service you use — including Disney Plus, Crunchyroll and Fubo — to watch shows and films. There are 100-plus providers listed on JustWatch, and the app recently added a streaming guide for sports.

Use the app to search for TV shows and movies or click Discover to go on a scrolling adventure. Narrow your search by platform, genre, year or rating. When you click a show tile, you can tap «Track» to keep up with every episode and season. JustWatch will ask which episodes you’ve watched, and you can check off entire seasons or individual installments. Where this app stands out is when you navigate to «Watch Now» to click a streaming service’s logo, and you’re immediately taken to the show’s landing page to begin watching. Talk about convenience.

Add a title to your watch list, and JustWatch tells you which episode to watch next or you can check off when you’re caught up. It also displays the dates for upcoming episodes.

For sports fans, JustWatch Sports directs you to where you can stream football (NFL and NCAA), basketball (NBA), baseball (MLB), soccer (MLS, Liga MX and all major European leagues), tennis and Formula 1 legally online.

The app also has a personal recommendation feature and displays the price of each streaming platform. You can use JustWatch on a web browser, on Fire TV devices or on iOS and Android mobile devices. Sign up directly on the app or with your Google or Facebook account.

Available on iOS and Android, Hobi is one of the most popular and comprehensive tracking apps out there. When you open it, you can select the shows you plan to watch or have watched, and Hobi indicates where you left off. The titles are added to your watch list. If it’s an old show, Hobi lets you know the series ended but still reminds you which episodes are next for you. The Discover feature highlights trending shows, series returning in the current week, new ones airing for the month, and recommendations across genres and networks, including HBO and Netflix.

In addition to monitoring your watch list and new episode release dates, Hobi provides personal viewing stats on how much TV you’ve watched. It also estimates your favorite genres based on those statistics. The app can be integrated with Trakt.

A screenshot of SeriesGuide listings for Yellowstone, Stranger Things and more A screenshot of SeriesGuide listings for Yellowstone, Stranger Things and more

Screenshot by Kourtnee Jackson/CNET

SeriesGuide is available on Android and Amazon Fire TV, and touts that it has no ads and doesn’t track your personal information.

When you first sign on to SeriesGuide, it gives you the option to block spoilers for show episodes you haven’t watched yet. You can either search for a title or click Discover and scroll through a lengthy list of content. Like Hobi and TV Time, the app lets you know which platform houses the series or movie you’d like to watch or track. It also integrates with Trakt.

Once you select your shows, SeriesGuide provides upcoming or recent release dates and times. For example, the display shows that episode 10 of Succession dropped on Max at 9 p.m. ET on May 28, and Power Book IV season 2 debuts on Starz on Friday, Sept. 1. I’ve been able to glean tracking information for content on Netflix, Disney Plus, Prime Video, Max, Paramount (Yellowstone) and more.

Its movie listings are pulled from TMDB and JustWatch, and you’ll find the release date, run time, cast credits and synopsis on the page. You can add films to your personal watchlist, click on the trailer link or tap the Stream/Purchase option if the digital version is available. 

Among its features, there’s a notification system that alerts you when new episodes are available, a favorites list and a catalog of how many episodes remain unwatched per season. With SeriesGuide, you can click «Skip» and the app will consider an episode watched. The user interface is very easy to navigate, and you can sync alerts to your device’s calendar, rate content or check out your viewing statistics for movies and shows.

Screenshot by Kourtnee Jackson/CNET

Cinetrak allows you to track both TV shows and movies, but you have to set up a Trakt log-in in order to create watch lists. You will see ads at the bottom of the screen, but the interface is clean and intuitive. Under the TV Shows menu, you can find titles under several categories: Genres, Trending, Popular and Top Watched. Click on a series and Cinetrak pulls up general information about the show and the seasons. Tap the plus sign to add a show by title, episode or season. 

The calendar feature allows you to see episodes that have been watched, added to collections or added to your watch lists. Basic access is free, but you can upgrade your account for additional features such as creating «Liked» lists, curated collections or sharing with friends.

Streaming TV tracker apps FAQs

What about privacy concerns?

Take the time to review the privacy notices and settings for each service. JustWatch explains that it collects user data that may be used to target ads based on your movie tastes, while TV Time also uses nonpersonal information for marketing and advertising purposes. With the latter, you’re also able to toggle your personal account settings and set it to private, which prevents nonfollowers from viewing your activity. You can also unlink social media accounts.

Should I pay to upgrade for more tracking perks?

Though some of these apps offer the ability to upgrade, we recommend sticking with the free versions, especially if you just want a basic way to remind yourself of upcoming releases or to track your progress for a show. 

Why didn’t Reelgood make this list?

Reelgood is an excellent platform that enables you to track movies and TV shows that have already been released or those with scheduled arrivals for the current month. However, it doesn’t provide information for the months ahead. JustWatch and TV Time, on the other hand, show the release date for the new season along with an episode count. You can even set a notification for its arrival.

Technologies

Today’s Wordle Hints, Answer and Help for Dec. 1, #1626

Here are hints and the answer for today’s Wordle for Dec. 1, No. 1,626.

Looking for the most recent Wordle answer? Click here for today’s Wordle hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands puzzles.


Today’s Wordle puzzle is a little tricky. Many people will confuse it with a similar word that’s spelled differently. If you need a new starter word, check out our list of which letters show up the most in English words. If you need hints and the answer, read on.

Today’s Wordle hints

Before we show you today’s Wordle answer, we’ll give you some hints. If you don’t want a spoiler, look away now.

Wordle hint No. 1: Repeats

Today’s Wordle answer has no repeated letters.

Wordle hint No. 2: Vowels

Today’s Wordle answer has two vowels.

Wordle hint No. 3: First letter

Today’s Wordle answer begins with L.

Wordle hint No. 4: Last letter

Today’s Wordle answer ends with H.

Wordle hint No. 5: Meaning

Today’s Wordle answer can refer to causing a liquid to drain away from something such as soil or ash.

TODAY’S WORDLE ANSWER

Today’s Wordle answer is LEACH.

Yesterday’s Wordle answer

Yesterday’s Wordle answer, Nov. 30, No. 1625 was MUGGY.

Recent Wordle answers

Nov. 26, No. 1621: HOVEL

Nov. 27, No. 1622: REMIT

Nov. 28, No. 1623: COLIC

Nov. 29, No, 1624: GRUFF


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Act Now to Get This Rare Cyber Monday Nintendo Switch 2 Deal Before It’s Gone

Pick up the Switch 2, Mario Kart World and a Samsung 256GB microSD Express card for $538.

Cyber Monday brings us many exciting offers, from shiny new laptops to record-low prices on televisions and headphones. But few offers are as enticing as a rare bundle deal on the Nintendo Switch 2, like the one we just spotted at Amazon. You get the Nintendo Switch 2, Mario Kart World game download and a Samsung 256GB microSD Express Card for one price of $538. That’s $22 off what might be the greatest gift you’ll ever give.

Considering the tumultuous past of this coveted gaming device, which involved delays and price increases due to tariffs, we didn’t think the Nintendo Switch 2 would go on sale at all this holiday season.

Our reviewer Scott Stein got his hands on a Switch 2 early on, and called it «the best handheld console.» He praised the notably better graphics over the original Switch, the big nearly 8-inch screen and the ergonomic design.

One of the cons he pointed out, though, was the lack of storage. Though the console has 256GB of internal memory, which is a significant upgrade over the previous model, you will quickly use up that storage as game files are bigger. Stein notes that the microSD Express cards could be hard to find, as the Switch 2 only take the Express cards, not the ones that worked with the previous Switch model. This bundle eliminates that issue, and the included Samsung 256GB microSD Express card will instantly double your storage.

You will also get a download of Mario Kart World included in the price. Amazon also has a bundle that includes the Nintendo Switch 2 and Mario Kart World for $499. This isn’t a significant savings, however it is in stock. The microSD Express card is not included. If you’re looking to pick one up separately, you can get one at Walmart right now for $39, a $20 savings.

Why this deal matters

To be honest, we didn’t expect to see any Black Friday or Cyber Week deals on the Switch 2. They are hard to come by and stock has been selling out fast. If you’ve been hoping to get your hands on one, this bundle offers modest savings but big perks and pretty much makes one of the best gifts out there — for yourself or someone you really, really like. And if you’re looking for more great gaming gifts, check out our Cyber Monday gaming deals.

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Cyber Monday Brings a Record-Low Price on the Apple Watch Ultra 3, but It Won’t Last

Apple’s newest and most powerful smartwatch is now $99 off at Amazon, but don’t count on this deal being around all day.

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is one of Apple’s latest models, debuting just a couple of months ago. Apple discounts can be scarce, especially on new devices, but we’ve spotted a Cyber Monday deal on Amazon that brings the Apple Watch Ultra 3 down by $99. That means you’ll pay $700 today. That’s a record low price for one of the best smartwatches on the market.

Currently, black and natural titanium are the only ones reflecting the discount.These prices often fluctuate, so we suggest checking out soon to lock in your price, as Apple Watch Ultra 3 deals tend to come and go quickly. If you’re considering this as a gift, word to the wise: these are shipped through Amazon, but shipping times can vary depending on your location — so it may not arrive in time for Christmas.

All Apple Watch Ultra 3 models come with cellular modems inside, so you can connect them to your carrier, assuming it supports the Apple Watch’s eSIM. That’ll allow you to stay connected even when you don’t have your iPhone with you.

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 comes in a large 49mm size, so it’s easy to read. Despite that huge display, Apple Watch Ultra 3 owners can expect long-lasting battery life. In fact, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 can run for up to 42 hours in normal mode and a whopping 72 hours in low-power mode.

This being an Apple Watch, it comes with all the usual health and fitness monitoring features, as well as sleep tracking. It can monitor your heart rate, track your progress thanks to its precise dual-frequency GPS and do a whole lot more.

If the standard Apple Watch models can’t quite live up to your busy, active lifestyle, this is the model for you. Be sure to order your new smartwatch before this deal expires.

SMARTWATCH DEALS OF THE WEEK

Deals are selected by the CNET Group commerce team, and may be unrelated to this article.

Why this deal matters

The latest Apple Watch Ultra 3 is the best of its kind. It has a new display that’s designed to be easier to read and has an impressive battery life. It isn’t the cheapest smartwatch on the market, but if you want the best that Apple has to offer, now is the time to place your order — before this deal ends.

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