We’ve come a long way since the entire family huddled around the television to watch the biggest shows. Water-cooler moments are rare these days as people just don’t have the same number of shared moments when it comes to home entertainment. And the seemingly unstoppable rise of on-demand streaming services is probably the main reason for that.
Streaming services have completely revolutionized the way we watch TV and how we talk about it. There have been a number of developments in the last few years that have changed the industry and how the viewing public consumes their entertainment. There is so much choice now that just about everything can be streamed – from blockbuster films to exclusive original shows to massive sports events that also feature on the biggest Vegas betting sites.
This intense competition has resulted in a whole host of pricing and subscription models available to potential customers. It also means that the cost of streaming is ever-changing. But which streaming sites are best? In an ever-evolving market it can be difficult to keep up with all the latest developments. Here is our guide to the streaming services you probably can’t do without.
Netflix
We couldn’t really begin our guide to the best streaming services anywhere else could we? There may be more competition in the streaming world than ever before but Netflix is still the one that all others are compared to. It is the giant that really kicked off the whole thing in the first place and is still hugely influential.
Although it is desperate for another big hit (with subscribers eagerly awaiting another season of Stranger Things for example) Netflix is the big hitter in the industry. There is an excellent range of shows both original and bought in and remains the most talked about service out there. It is beginning to feel the pressure from new sites though.
Disney+
With over 150 million subscribers around the world and one of the most recognizable names in entertainment Disney+ has to be considered as a success. Home to both Marvel and Star Wars Disney is always going to be attractive to a large part of the viewing public. The family-friendly Disney shows are also a big hit.
The perception that Disney+ is only for kids and sci-fi fans took a while to go away but a whole host of original programming and top shows aimed at an older audience have changed the way this service is perceived. It may take potential subscribers a little longer to become aware of the range of content but Disney+ is definitely one of the big players now.
Max
It may not be the cheapest streaming service available but Max is one of the most popular thanks to its catalogue of shows and range of content. The home of HBO, the entire library consisting of some of the biggest TV shows of all time is available as part of the package. But there is much more to Max than just hard-hitting drama.
Although it is not at the level of Disney Max also has a surprising number of children’s programs to choose from, as well as a good sports and news service. There are plenty of original shows to keep early adopters interested and Max is also the first place to go for Warner Brothers movies.
Prime Video
Amazon has interests in a lot of different industries and is always successful so why should we expect its streaming service to be any different? An immediate benefit is that you might already be paying for the Prime service for your online deliveries. The streaming service comes as part of that package.
But even if you are yet to pay extra for your shopping Prime Video has more than enough attractions of its own. There is a great range of original exclusives – for both TV and film – as well as other more established titles. A recent foray into the world of live sports has also been very successful and popular.
Apple TV Plus
This is another huge name in the world of entertainment that has taken the streaming industry by storm. Starting off with what was a somewhat meager library of shows Apple TV Plus has expanded significantly in recent years and is now well known for its big-budget original dramas and films.
As with anything Apple-related, this streaming service values quality and design and the aesthetic is seriously on brand here. Like Amazon, it has also entered the lucrative and profitable world of live sports and has positioned itself as a service for the entire family, not just people looking for high-quality drama.
Peacock
As NBC’s streaming service there is obviously a lot of popular and well-regarded content on Peacock. Traditional TV channels have not always been able to compete successfully with the new streaming site upstarts, so it is a welcome sight to see one of the established names in broadcasting adapting to the modern world.
There is some very good original programming alongside the old classics and Peacock is also a good place to go for sports and wrestling. Although it is one of the best for budget-conscious consumers, there has been a recent price hike – like all services – but Peacock is still a competitor, even if it could think about producing more original shows.
Hulu
Another streaming service that ticks the box for those keeping an eye on their money, Hulu has managed to offer a captivating range of original shows alongside existing content. The next-day airing of cable shows has been a particular success for people who are not that bothered about being the first to watch something and want to save some money.
The selection of older seasons on some shows could be improved – and customers of other premium services might get annoyed by the more frequent ad breaks – but Hulu still offers something that people want. With so many streaming services available finding a USP is possibly the most important element of all.
