TV and Streaming: Programming, Subscriptions, and Closed Captions

Program your TV, cancel unwanted subscriptions, and turn closed captions on or off. Simple steps for everyday viewing.

Programming, subscriptions, and captions

Setting up your TV, managing streaming subscriptions, and turning closed captions on or off are among the most common requests. As one family member put it: "Programming her TV. Cancelling multiple subscriptions for channels. Turning on closed captioning. Turning off closed captioning." Here's how to do each.

Programming your TV

"Programming" usually means setting up channels, inputs, or your preferred apps. Here's the basics:

  • Channel scan — For antenna/cable: Settings → Channel Setup → Scan for channels. Your TV will find available channels.
  • Input/source — Use the Input or Source button on your remote to switch between cable, HDMI (for streaming devices), etc.
  • Streaming apps — Open the app (Netflix, Prime Video) from your TV's home screen. Sign in with your account if asked.
  • Soundbar — Connect via HDMI or Bluetooth. Check the soundbar manual. Often: Settings → Sound → Output → select your soundbar.

Cancelling subscriptions

If you're paying for channels or streaming services you don't use, here's how to cancel:

  1. Find where you signed up — Did you subscribe through the app (Netflix, Prime Video), your TV provider, or Apple/Google?
  2. In the app — Open the app → Account or Profile → Subscriptions or Billing → Cancel.
  3. On a computer — Go to the service's website (e.g. netflix.com), sign in, Account → Membership & Billing → Cancel.
  4. Through Apple — Settings (on iPhone/iPad) → [your name] → Subscriptions. Tap the service → Cancel.
  5. Through your TV/cable provider — Call them or log into your account online to manage add-on channels.

Tip: Cancelling usually stops future charges. You can often keep using the service until the end of your billing period.

Turning closed captions on or off

Closed captions show the words on screen. You can turn them on or off in a few places:

On your TV (built-in):

  • Press the CC or Subtitle button on your remote, or
  • Go to Settings → Accessibility or Picture/Sound → Subtitles or Closed Captions.

In streaming apps (Netflix, Prime Video, etc.):

  • Start playing a show. Look for the speech bubble or CC icon on the playback controls.
  • Tap it to turn captions on or off. Some apps let you change the size and style in Settings.

Quick tips

  • Write down which subscriptions you have and how you signed up. It makes cancelling easier.
  • If your remote has a CC or Subtitle button, that's the fastest way to toggle captions.
  • Soundbar not working? Check it's on the right input (HDMI-ARC is common for TV sound).