With cable television quickly becoming a thing of the past, many people are turning to smart TVs, Amazon Firestick, Roku, and other means of watching their favorite shows and movies via streaming services. With so many services out there to choose from, it can be hard to decide on which one (or few) you want since almost all of them come with a monthly fee. The best streaming service depends on your interests and how much you’re willing to pay each month, so here’s a list of some of the top platforms with the best prices and what they have to offer.
1. Amazon Prime Video
If you’re a frequent shopper on Amazon and you’re also a Prime member, then you automatically receive Amazon Prime Video as a part of your subscription. Amazon Prime Video often sees a lot of new movie releases on the platform, but the catch is that you must purchase these at an additional cost.
The platform also features older movies, TV series, and TV series unique to Amazon. This is also a good option if you prefer no ads, though there are additional channels available to you that are ad-supported. If you’re not an Amazon Prime member, Prime Video is reasonably priced at $8.99 per month as a basic subscription.
2. Netflix
Netflix is probably the most well-known of all of the streaming platforms, with over 200 million subscribers. This platform has one of the largest selections of TV shows and movies (next to Disney Plus and Hulu), with popular shows like Black Lightning, Riverdale, and American Horror Story on the platform in their entirety, and it also features some of its own original content. One of the best features of Netflix is that it’s ad-free, and although it’s been around for two decades (although, not in its current form) it’s still very affordable at $8.99 per month.
The downside to Netflix is that you can’t live stream TV shows— you can only stream the shows available on the platform. Also, the list of movies and TV shows change every so often (with the exception of Netflix originals), so your favorite show may be here for a year or two, and gone later.
3. Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+
This trifecta of streaming platforms offers one of the best deals out there. For only $13.99 a month, you can access all three of these platforms. Of course, this is the basic price, so if you want Hulu ad-free and/or the ability to stream live television, it’s going to cost you more. Even if all three of these platforms don’t interest you, it’s still better to subscribe to all three rather than just two. Hulu alone is $5.99 per month, Disney+ $7.99 per month, and ESPN+ $6.99 per month.
This is a great bundle for families especially because each platform offers something for everyone. Hulu is known for its large library of TV shows, movies, and original series that caters to individuals of all ages. Disney+ includes the entire Disney franchise, along with Marvel movies, Star Wars movies, and National Geographic shows.
ESPN+ is great for sports lovers, notably streaming college football, major league baseball (MLB), and hockey. However, there are options for free sports streaming for those who are just looking for sports.
When it comes down to the best streaming service, it all depends on what you’re looking for and what you’re willing to pay. Hands down, the Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+ bundle is the best option for families that include Disney lovers and sports lovers, or even individuals who have an interest in two or more of these platforms. Amazon Prime Video is something to look into if you already have an Amazon Prime subscription since the streaming service comes at no extra cost to you. Just keep in mind that for added benefits— such as no ads and access to more shows— the monthly price increases.
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