Shades of Blue is an American crime drama television series that aired on NBC from 2016 to 2018. The show starred Jennifer Lopez as Harlee Santos, a single mother and detective who gets caught up in corruption. Fans of the show may be wondering if Shades of Blue is available for streaming on any major platforms. With many shows moving to streaming services, it’s a common question these days. In this article, we’ll take a look at where Shades of Blue is streaming in 2023, or if it’s even available at all.
Overview of Shades of Blue
Shades of Blue premiered on NBC in 2016 and ran for 3 seasons before being cancelled in 2018. The series focused on Harlee Santos (Jennifer Lopez), a New York detective who was forced to work with the FBI after her own crew was caught in corruption. She becomes an informant, working to take down criminals while trying to protect her own crew.
The show also starred Ray Liotta, Drea de Matteo, Dayo Okeniyi, Vincent Laresca, Hampton Fluker, Sarah Jeffery and Gino Anthony Pesi. It was created by Adi Hasak and produced by Lopez’s production company Nuyorican Productions.
Shades of Blue received modest but steady viewership during its 3 season run. The series premiere drew 6.9 million viewers, while the finale had 3.4 million viewers. Reviews were mixed, with critics praising the performances but finding the plot overly familiar at times. Still, the show developed a dedicated base of fans who enjoyed the dramatic plot twists and chemistry between Lopez and Liotta.
Is Shades of Blue Streaming on Netflix?
One of the first places viewers often look for a show is Netflix. However, as of September 2023, Shades of Blue is not available to stream on Netflix. The show has never been part of the Netflix library.
There could be a few reasons for this. Netflix tends to focus on its original content, and may not have wanted to acquire the streaming rights to an NBC series. The show was also somewhat modest in popularity, so Netflix may not have seen value in purchasing it compared to other programs. They may have decided the audience wasn’t large enough to justify the costs.
So unfortunately for fans hoping to do a rewatch, Shades of Blue is not streaming on Netflix currently and does not appear to be joining Netflix anytime soon. But the show could potentially be acquired by Netflix in the future, so it’s not outside the realm of possibility.
Is the Series Streaming on Hulu?
Like Netflix, Hulu is a popular streaming platform for finding both past and current TV shows. However, Shades of Blue is not included in Hulu’s library either.
Hulu has selective deals for acquiring certain NBC and other network programs to stream. But so far, Shades of Blue has not been one of the NBC shows added to their content. This may be because NBC keeps streaming rights for their own platform, or because Hulu chose to get rights for other shows instead.
The crime drama does seem like it would be a good fit for Hulu content-wise. But at this time, the 3 seasons are not streaming there. Fans will have to look elsewhere to find the show available on demand. Hulu does not currently offer Shades of Blue and it is not certain if it will in the future.
Can I Watch Shades of Blue on Amazon Prime?
Like its competitors Netflix and Hulu, Amazon Prime Video is constantly acquiring rights to stream both old and new TV series. However, Shades of Blue is not yet included in Amazon Prime Video’s catalogue either.
Prime Video has content deals with many networks and studios, but so far has not acquired rights to stream episodes of Shades of Blue. The show is not listed anywhere in the Prime Video library. This means that unfortunately, Prime members cannot watch the show through their subscriptions.
There is still a chance that Amazon could obtain rights to Shades of Blue in the future and add it to their Prime Video offerings. But as of now, the Jennifer Lopez led drama is not available on demand with an Amazon Prime membership. Fans will have to consider other options to watch the series.
Does Peacock Have Shades of Blue?
Since Shades of Blue originally aired on NBC, viewing rights are controlled by NBCUniversal. This made Peacock a likely streaming home for the show since it is NBCUniversal’s own platform. And indeed, Peacock is currently the only major streaming service offering episodes of Shades of Blue on demand.
The full series spanning 3 seasons is available to stream right now on Peacock. This gives fans the best opportunity to watch or re-watch the crime drama series following Harlee Santos and her FBI informant plotlines.
However, there are some limitations on Peacock. The series is only available for Peacock Premium subscribers, not those with the free tier. There is a fee to upgrade to Premium access. Additionally, though the show is on Peacock, it is not always readily visible and may require searching to find. But it is in the Peacock library.
So in summary, Peacock is the one major streamer carrying Shades of Blue thanks to their relationship with NBC. Fans just need a paid Peacock account to access it.
Can I Purchase Episodes or Seasons?
Because Shades of Blue is not readily available on major subscription streaming platforms, some fans may look to purchase episodes or seasons outright. This is actually possible through a few digital platforms.
The primary option for purchasing Shades of Blue is Amazon Prime Video. On Amazon, viewers can buy individual episodes in Standard Definition for $2.99. Or the full season bundles in HD are available for previous seasons, usually $14.99 per season. This allows fans to directly buy the show without any streaming membership required.
Additionally, Apple’s iTunes Store has Shades of Blue available for purchase and download. Like Amazon, episodes can be bought individually or the entire season bundles are available. This provides another way to directly access the show digitally on demand. The prices are generally comparable to the Amazon options.
Vudu, Google Play Movies & TV, Microsoft Store, and FandangoNOW are some other platforms selling Shades of Blue for electronic purchase and download. So while not free through a subscription, paying per episode or season is a viable alternative to stream or download the show.
On Demand Options from Cable Providers
Some cable TV customers also have on demand options available as part of their package. While availability differs by provider, shows like Shades of Blue are sometimes included in the on demand libraries.
The best sources for finding Shades of Blue on demand with a cable package are:
| Provider | On Demand Availability |
| Spectrum | Available on Spectrum On Demand |
| Xfinity | Available on Xfinity On Demand |
| Verizon Fios | Available on Fios On Demand |
| DirecTV | Available on DirecTV On Demand |
| Dish Network | Not available on Dish Anywhere |
So customers with Spectrum, Xfinity, Verizon, and other providers may find they can view Shades of Blue through their cable’s on demand platform. This access is included with the cable package. However, offerings vary by region and company. Checking with your provider directly is the best way to confirm availability.
Is Shades of Blue Available on DVD?
In addition to digital purchase options, Shades of Blue was also released in full on DVD for fans to own physical copies. This includes:
- Season 1 available on a 3-disc DVD set
- Season 2 available on a 3-disc DVD set
- Season 3 available on a 3-disc DVD set
- Complete series box set on DVD
These DVD sets were manufactured and distributed by Lionsgate Home Entertainment following the show’s original run on NBC. They can be purchased through online retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, eBay, and Barnes & Noble. Prices vary but average around $15-20 per season DVD set.
The DVD option gives collectors and true fans a way to own and rewatch the series at any time. Picture and sound quality is very good on the DVD releases. And extras like behind-the-scenes featurettes are included. So the Shades of Blue DVD collections offer another avenue beyond streaming.
Is Shades of Blue on Blu-ray?
In addition to standard DVD, shows are sometimes made available on Blu-ray as well. The Blu-ray format offers enhanced HD video quality and sound compared to DVD. However, Shades of Blue unfortunately never received a Blu-ray release.
The series is only available in the DVD format discussed above. Lionsgate, who published the DVD sets, opted not to manufacture and distribute Blu-ray versions too. This was likely a business decision based on the size of the show’s audience and predicted sales.
Since high definition Blu-rays can be more expensive to produce, the company may have decided there wasn’t enough demand to justify the investment. Therefore, fans who want the best HD quality for Shades of Blue will have to rely on digital purchases or streaming through Peacock. But the show looks very good on DVD too for those wanting physical media.
Other Ways to Watch
Beyond streaming services and physical media, are there other options for viewing Shades of Blue? Here are a few other ideas that may work:
– NBC Network Website/App: Though limited, previous episodes seem to be available directly through NBC.com or the NBC app with TV provider authentication.
– Free streaming sites: Some free streaming platforms like Pluto TV or Tubi TV may offer select episodes, though availability rotates. Video quality is not guaranteed.
– NBC Reruns: In rare cases, the NBC cable channel airs re-runs of Shades of Blue. So watch the listings for a surprise broadcast.
– Library DVD rental: Many local libraries allow members to borrow TV series DVD sets for free, so this could be an option for accessing the 3 seasons.
– Buy used DVDs: eBay, thrift shops or trade groups often sell used DVDs at discounted prices if you’re willing to buy pre-owned.
So while mainstream streaming access is limited, diehard fans still have some other paths to take finding reruns or used discs. It just may require being creative and persistent.
Why Isn’t Shades of Blue Widely Available?
Considering streaming dominates the TV landscape these days, it’s fair to wonder why a recent network series like Shades of Blue has very minimal availability. There are a few possible explanations:
– Exclusive Peacock deal – NBCU wants to keep the content for their own streamer
– Music licensing issues – clearing song rights again can be costly
– Niche appeal – lower perceived audience demand versus cost
– Syndication plans – holding out for future broadcast or cable reruns
– Timing – renewal deals take time and Covid stalled many negotiations
Essentially, it comes down to money and rights issues. But as Peacock expands, there’s still hope the show could reach larger audiences again soon. The door isn’t quite closed yet.
The Best Ways to Stream Shades of Blue
Given the landscape, what are the best options right now for streaming Shades of Blue? Here is a quick summary:
- Get Peacock Premium to access all episodes ($4.99/month with ads)
- Buy full seasons digitally on Amazon, iTunes, etc.
- Check cable on demand libraries if you have a subscription
- Purchase used DVD sets online or in stores
While not as readily available as many hits, the show can still be viewed with some effort and legal alternatives exist. Fans may just need to be a bit creative in how they access those 3 seasons showcasing Jennifer Lopez as Harlee Santos working undercover.
Will Shades of Blue Ever Get Wide Streaming Availability?
There is certainly still hope that Shades of Blue could land on a major platform someday or even return to NBC for reruns. Unfortunately, rights issues tend to be complicated. But here are some of the possibilities that could potentially open up access:
- NBC/Peacock renews wider streaming deal
- Netflix or Hulu agree to add it to library
- Performers renegotiate music rights
- DVD sales and Peacock streams demonstrate audience interest
It’s also important to note that availability can change frequently as deals expire and new ones arise. So even if Shades of Blue isn’t widely accessible now, that could certainly change in the coming months or years ahead. Networks recognize fan passion, so voices do matter when requesting content.
While Shades of Blue floating into full mainstream streaming availability seems uncertain presently, the door is never completely closed. There are still glimmers of hope for detective drama fans eager to ride along with Harlee Santos once again.
Conclusion
Shades of Blue offered 3 seasons of Jennifer Lopez leading an engaging NBC police drama from 2016 to 2018. However, since going off the air, the series has had very limited streaming and on-demand options for fans hoping to rewatch or discover the show.
At this time, the only major streaming home for the show is NBC’s Peacock Premium. Otherwise, fans can purchase episodes or seasons digitally or on DVD releases. Cable on demand access is also possible depending on provider. But widespread subscription options are currently non-existent.
The reasons likely come down to rights issues and perceived lack of demand. But there are still alternative ways to find Shades of Blue if you know where to look. And with audience interest being reevaluated constantly, it’s not out of the question more access could open up someday. For now, the Shades of Blue faithful will need some creativity and patience watching reruns of this underrated crime drama.