If they already have a netflix or amazon prime account most portable pad devices have apps to run those. Or a small tv with a cheaper Roku input would access those accounts.

If you love your parents and want to be nice, you can get them a subscription to a streaming tv service (Youtube TV for live tv is what I use, $50/mo) if you don't love your parents, they can access a lot of generic tv through individual apps for each channel. For instance, CNN has an app that will stream their broadcast, not the same as the live show, but like highlights. The CW has an app that you can open and it will stream the most recent shows they released... Adult swim has one... etc etc. The disadvantage here is that you have to navigate to them individually.

Most of that can be accessed directly from some smart pad device, or from a TV with some sort of streaming system attached. (caveat - some smart tvs come pre-loaded with only a specific set of apps, with no ability to add more in, so you can't guarantee your particular system of interest is available unless you ask specifically)

When did TV become something that required instructions?

Movies will be watched in the den. Because if it's a movie, they'll want to settle in and enjoy on the bigger screen.
The kitchen will just be used for news and other local programming. They don't need to watch the weather in LA or Omaha or Moscow. Just central MA.
They like jeopardy, although that might change when Alex dies.
My dad likes to watch Vanna White flip those letters.
And the local 5 and 6 pm news let's them know when someone gets shot or when a puppy is saved by the firemen.

I appreciate the answers and I might be looking at a Roku or firestick soon for myself.

In the meantime, I'll just get them set up with a flat screen and will let my mom know that I apparently don't love her enough.

She'll understand.

No she won't. She is very disappointed in you

tell her to lose my number

Just a side note, since we're talking of TV and various channels. THE VERY BEST deal on tv is with a "jail broken" fire stick and LockedDownTV!!!! $20/month for a few hundred channels, EVERY PPV lineup, MANY locals from around the US, ALL of the various sports channels, etc, etc. You just need decent internet, 25Mbps minimum. With fiber optic at the new place, we have far too many options to see. Did I mention it has multi-view with the option for 4 channels at once!!!

Got a jb stick. This sounds promising.

LG makes a 24" countertop TV for about $90 at Best Buy...may need a small antenna to get over the air local channels for the news broadcasts...