The Best Shows To Watch: The Shortcut Most Lists Miss
- 01. The Best Shows to Watch: A Values-Driven Guide for Marist Educators and Families
- 02. Why Pinning Down "The Best" Shows Is Harder Now
- 03. Key factors making show selection harder:
- 04. Top 15 Best Shows of 2026 (So Far) with Educational Value
- 05. Age-Based Recommendations for Marist School Families
- 06. Media Literacy Through a Marist Lens
- 07. Practical Guidelines for School Administrators
- 08. Key implementation steps:
The Best Shows to Watch: A Values-Driven Guide for Marist Educators and Families
The best shows to watch in 2026 are curated educational series that balance entertainment with moral formation, including Bluey (ages 3-7), Ted Lasso (ages 10+), Hacks (HBO Max, final season), Love on the Spectrum (Netflix, Season 4), and Sesame Street for youngest learners. For Latin American Marist schools, these programs align with Marcellin Champagnat's mission to form good Christians and virtuous citizens through media that models humility, empathy, and intergenerational friendship.
Why Pinning Down "The Best" Shows Is Harder Now
With streaming will sustain over 50% of total viewing by mid-2026 and the global video streaming market generating $212.83 billion in revenue, families face unprecedented choice paralysis. The Latin America online education market reached USD 5,081.5 Million in 2025 and is growing at 19.06% CAGR, reflecting demand for content that serves both entertainment and formation purposes.
"Media literacy encourages citizens to be critical consumers of media... For Catholics, the faith perspective means that we bring Gospel values and the example of Jesus into conversation with those messages"
Key factors making show selection harder:
- Fragmentation across 15+ streaming platforms in Latin America
- Ad-supported tiers now account for 46% of premium SVOD subscriptions, up from 33% in 2023 li>FAST (Free ad-supported television) captures 15% of streaming time, with Tubi at 100 million monthly users
- Content piracy remains an acute challenge across Brazil and Latin America
Top 15 Best Shows of 2026 (So Far) with Educational Value
TVLine's May 27, 2026 review identified 15 exceptional series, but Marist educators should prioritize shows with measurable character formation outcomes.
| Show Title | Platform | Best Age Range | Core Values Taught | Educational Alignment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Bluey | Disney+ | 3-7 | Humility, apology, teamwork | Marist pedagogy: community formation |
Ted Lasso | Apple TV | 10+ | Humility, respect, asking for help | IB learner profile: open-mindedness |
Hacks | HBO Max | 16+ | Intergenerational friendship, loyalty | Social mission: cross-generational dialogue |
Love on the Spectrum | Netflix | 12+ | Empathy, neurodiversity acceptance | Inclusive education principles |
Sesame Street | HBO Max | 3-5 | Reading, math, empathy | Foundational literacy |
The Testaments | Hulu | 16+ | Justice, women's rights, courage | Social justice education |
Scrubs (Revival) | ABC | 14+ | Aging, burnout, workplace culture | Health education, professional formation |
Age-Based Recommendations for Marist School Families
- Preschool (Ages 3-5):
Sesame Street,Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood,Blue's Clues- focus on reading, math, empathy - Elementary (Ages 5-8):
Bluey,Ask the StoryBots,Wild Kratts,The Magic School Bus- science concepts, curiosity - Tweens (Ages 7-12):
Carmen Sandiego,Odd Squad,Hilda- critical thinking, teamwork - Teens (Ages 10+):
Ted Lasso,Avatar: The Last Airbender,Hacks,Industry- ethics, diversity, equity
Media Literacy Through a Marist Lens
Catholic media mindfulness follows a four-step methodology: listen, reflect, dialogue, act. This aligns with Marist education's emphasis on holistic formation across Brazil and Latin America.
Practical Guidelines for School Administrators
Educators should watch together when possible and ask one question after each episode to transform passive viewing into active formation. The Center for Media and Values collaborated with the National Catholic Education Association in 1993 to produce Catholic Connections to Media Literacy, establishing institutional frameworks still relevant today.
Key implementation steps:
- Start with one show matching your student's age and interests
- Point out humility moments explicitly: "Did you notice how she apologized right away?"
- Balance confidence-building content with humility modeling
- Use shows as springboards for service projects aligned with Marist social mission
- Avoid speculation; favor primary sources and measurable impact
The Latin America streaming landscape demands trusted curators who can guide families toward content serving both entertainment and formation. Marist Education Authority positions itself as this trustworthy hub by articulating values-driven perspectives that blend educational rigor with spiritual mission.
What are the most common questions about The Best Shows To Watch The Shortcut Most Lists Miss?
What is media literacy from a Catholic perspective?
Media literacy is the ability to "access, analyze, evaluate, create and participate" in media messages while bringing Gospel values into conversation with those messages. For Catholics, this means discerning whether content aligns with Church teaching and what Jesus would model.
How do Marist schools integrate media literacy?
Marist schools use AI-enhanced activities to help students uncover hidden biases in media, analyze different perspectives on current events, and develop critical thinking skills for local and international contexts. The Province of Brasil Centro-Sul expanded to three new schools in 2021, taking over Colégio Marista Alexander Flemming in Campo Grande.
What shows teach humility to children?
Show that model humility include Bluey (ages 3-7), Avatar: The Last Airbender (ages 5-10), The Great British Baking Show Junior (ages 6-12), Hilda (ages 8-14), and Ted Lasso (ages 10+). These programs normalize admitting mistakes, asking for help, and celebrating others' successes.
Why is streaming growth driven by ad tiers now?
Ad-supported tiers were responsible for 71% of net subscriber additions over nine quarters because families seek affordable access amid economic pressures in Latin America. This shift requires educators to teach media discernment about commercial motives.
