We’re at the height of the Streaming Wars, and deciding for which platform you’re willing to pay a premium can be as challenging as figuring out your favorite ice cream on a hot summer’s day. There are countless options, each offering a similarly satisfying selection, with something new debuting seemingly every week.
However, some are just better than others. It all depends on what mood you’re in, right? Well, much like ice cream, there are streaming services that offer something yummy for just about everyone’s taste.
Similes aside, the reality is that streaming services are how most TV watchers watch TV. According to data aggregator Statista, there will be over 182.26 million streaming service users in the U.S. this year. By 2027, that number is predicted to be nearly 202.6 million.
So how do you decide? Easy. You come to Decider.
Whether you are into streaming trailblazers like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video, or you fancy yourself the options of relatively newer platforms such as Disney+, Max, and Paramount+, there is a streaming service out there for you. Even better, if you’re like us, one streaming platform isn’t quite enough, so we’re here to help you sort through all the best deals on streaming bundles.
Keep reading for all you need to know before you cut the cord.
Sling TV
Whether you’re a Bravo fan or a Disney adult, there’s a good chance that Sling TV has something for your viewing pleasure. From your favorite local channels to add-ons, consider yourself set.
Sling TV has three different packages to choose from, and they each have something fantastic to offer. If you’re interested in family-friendly programs, go with Sling Orange ($40.00/month). It has 32 channels, including seven exclusive for sports, and family. Sling Blue ($40.00/month) is a great option if you’re an entertainment or news buff, while Sling Orange + Blue ($60.00/month) has 22 exclusive channels (46 in total) to enjoy.
For a limited time, the streaming service is offering half off your first month, which means you can start watching for as low as $20! Get on it while you can.
-
Amazon Prime Video
Suppose, for whatever reason, you haven’t succumbed to the Amazon juggernaut yet. If that’s the case, now is your chance to finally join the masses and stream original Prime Video series such as the award-winning Fleabag and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, but also thousands of other TV series and movies like the exclusive Reacher and Borat Subsequent Moviefilm.
Prime Video is one of the perks included with an Amazon Prime membership, along with the signature two-day free shipping and some Prime-exclusive pricing during shopping events like Prime Day.
Amazon Prime currently costs $14.99/month or $139.00/year. If you’re not interested in all that Prime offers, the company offers a standalone subscription to Prime Video for $9/month.
Beginning January 29, Prime Video will begin playing ads during movies and shows, but you can pay an additional $2.99/month to remove them.
What to look forward to in 2024: Hazbin Hotel (1/19/24), Mr. and Mrs. Smith (2/2/24), Road House (3/21/24), Fallout (4/12/24), The Boys Season 4 (TBA)
-
Max
When you subscribe to Max, which was formerly known as HBO Max, you’ll get all of HBO’s exclusive original award-winning content, Max Originals, and access to content from DC, Looney Tunes, Studio Ghibli, Turner Classic Movies, and Sesame Street. Plus, everything from the Discovery family of networks (TLC, Food Network, Magnolia Network, etc.) and live sports from TNT, TBS, and Bleacher Report.
If you are already an HBO subscriber through a pay-cable package, you likely already have access to Max for no additional cost with your cable log-in information. Standard pricing without HBO’s cable network is $9.99/month for streaming with ads, $15.99/month per month for ad-free streaming, and $19.99/month for ad-free and 4K streaming.
What to look forward to in 2024: True Detective: Night Country (1/14/24), Curb Your Enthusiasm Season 12 (2/2/24), The Regime (3/3/24), House of the Dragon Season 2 (TBA), Industry Season 3 (TBA)
-
Disney+/Hulu/ESPN+ Bundle
If original shows like Echo and Goosebumps are on your radar, you’ll want to purchase a Disney+ subscription. In addition to movies and series from the classic Walt Disney collection, it also gives parents and fans of all ages access to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (so you can finally watch all the Marvel movies in order), plus Pixar, Star Wars, National Geographic, and even 20th Century Fox content like The Simpsons and some Hulu titles.
Currently, Disney+ offers multiple bundle options to fit various budgets and needs. The basic ad-supported plan costs $7.99/month, but to get Disney+ ad-free, you’ll pay $13.99/month. Based on these prices, a bundle option may be more cost-effective if you were already considering subscribing to Hulu or ESPN+ or are already a subscriber of either service.
With Hulu, you’ll be able to watch originals like Only Murders in the Building, FX on Hulu titles like The Bear, and new episodes of ABC and Fox broadcast shows the day after they air on TV.
The Duo Basic bundle includes ad-supported Disney+ and ad-supported Hulu and costs $9.99/month, while the Duo Premium bundle removes those ads for $19.99/month. Adding ESPN+ with ads brings the monthly price to $14.99/month. The Trio Premium bundle, which costs $24.99/month, upgrades Disney+ and Hulu to be ad-free, but ESPN+ will always include ads when streaming live sports.
Unlike some other subscription services with bundle options, you won’t be able to access all of the content in a single app. You’ll still need to download the Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN apps separately and sign in with your universal login information.
What to look forward to on Disney+ in 2024: Disney+ — Echo (1/9/24), Agatha: Darkhold Diaries (TBA), The Acolyte (TBA), Skeleton Crew (TBA), Wish (TBA), X-Men ’97 (TBA), Renegade Nell (TBA)
What to look forward to on Hulu in 2024 — Death and Other Details (1/16/24), Shogun (2/27/24), Vanderpump Villa (TBA)
-
Starz
Get some of the most popular original series around, like Outlander and Power Book II: Ghost, plus a massive library of great movies (that often includes all of Sony’s Marvel movies) for one low price of $10/month. The service continues to grow in popularity as it rebooted Party Down in 2023, premiered the second season of Minx, which was initially cancelled at Max, and continues to invest in the Power series with new spinoff titles.
Right now, you can sign up for Starz with special offer; your first three months will be just $3.00/month, or you can prepay for six months at once for $20.
What to look forward to in 2024: BMF (3/1/24), Outlander Season 7 Part 2 (TBA), Mary & George (TBA)
-
Paramount+
This updated streaming service is a rebrand of CBS All Access. You’ll find a huge library of TV episodes, films, live sporting events, and original content from entities including CBS, BET, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures, Pluto TV, and more.
Paramount Plus recently restructured their streaming plans to integrate Showtime, which no longer operates as a standalone streaming service. If you’re looking for just Paramount+ content, and don’t mind a few ads, the essential plan is $5.99/month. For $11.99/month, get Paramount+ with Showtime — this is now the only way to watch all of Showtime’s original series, like Yellowjackets and Fellow Travelers and library of acclaimed movies, including A24’s catalog, without a linear cable subscription.
For a limited time, get a one-month free trial of Paramount+ (instead of the typical week-long trial) by using the promo code BUTTERS at checkout.
What to look forward to in 2024: Halo Season 2 (2/8/24), Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 (TBA),
-
Peacock
Similarly to Paramount+, Peacock is a streaming service that debuts their own original content while also being the streaming home for an entire family of cable networks, namely the NBC Universal ones. That means you can watch currently-airing NBC titles like the Law and Order franchise and Saturday Night Live the day after they air on NBC, plus a backlog of NBC shows that includes all of their iconic sitcoms.
The same goes for all things Bravo; Real Housewives, Below Deck, Southern Charm, and more are all streaming in full on Peacock. You can watch all of the past seasons, plus new episodes of new seasons the morning after they air on Bravo.
Peacock currently has two plans after eliminating their free plan in early 2023. The plan with ads is either $5.99/month or $59.99 if you prepay for a full year. To get rid of ads, you’ll pay $11.99/month or $119.99/year.
What to look forward to in 2024: Ted (1/11/24), The Traitors Season 2 (1/12/24), The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip Season 5 (TBA), Apples Never Fall (TBA), Community: The Movie (TBA), plus next-day Bravo titles including Vanderpump Rules Season 11, Top Chef Season 21, and The Real Housewives of Dubai Season 2
-
Apple TV+
Apple got into streaming video in 2019, giving subscribers to its Apple TV+ service access to original programming like The Morning Show, with Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston, and the critically acclaimed Ted Lasso, which garnered over 40 Emmy nominations over a three season run, as well as more than 40 other original shows and movies.
Though the days of Apple offering a one-year free trial are over, you can still take advantage of a three-month free trial by purchasing a new eligible Apple device. Once that trial is over, or if you’re ineligible, Apple TV+ costs $9.99/month.
Like a few other services on this list, Apple allows you to purchase add-on streaming services that you can access right in the Apple TV app, including their very own MLS streaming app.
What to look forward to in 2024: Killers of the Flower Moon (1/12/24), Masters of the Air (1/26/24), The New Look (2/14/24), Manhunt (2/21/24), Palm Royale (3/20/24), Napoleon (TBD)
-
Netflix
Far from the days of mailing DVDs in red sleeves, Netflix is still the largest streaming service in the world, with over 240 million subscribers worldwide. If you aren’t one of those customers, it may be time to consider the monthly plans. In addition to a massive library of TV shows and movies, Netflix has its own studio. It offers an impressive stream of popular original films and shows, like steamy Shondaland favorite Bridgerton and fan favorites like Squid Game and, of course, Stranger Things.
The streamer currently offers three plans, with the cheapest being the most recent addition to its lineup. For $6.99/month, you can stream Netflix in standard definition with ads. To get rid of ads, plans start at $15.49/month for full high definition, and $22.99/month for streaming in up to 4K UHD on up to four screens at a time.
As Netflix recently cracked down on password sharing, you can add profiles for people who don’t live in your immediate household to your account for $7.99/month extra if you have either of the two ad-free plans.
What to look forward to in 2024: Avatar: The Last Airbender (2/22/24), Spaceman (3/1/24), Damsel (3/8/24), Girls5Eva Season 3 (3/14/24), Irish Wish (3/15/24), 3 Body Problem (3/21/24), Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver (4/19/24), Bridgerton Season 3 (5/16/24), Ripley (TBA), Squid Game Season 2 (TBA)
-
Philo
This huge live TV streaming bundle allows cord-cutters access to over 60 different channels. The basic package includes A&E, BBC America, AMC, OWN and Hallmark content. Right now, you can get Philo’s basic channel bundle for just $25.00/month.
Want more premium channels? You can add-on content from MGM+ for $5.99/month and Starz for $9.99/month.
-
Fubo TV
This live 4K streaming option has over 100 channels, including almost every broadcast and cable network. But what might make it more attractive for many viewers is the addition of loads of niche sports networks like MSG, Golf Network, FS2 and BeIN Sports.
Fubo TV has three plans, all with a one week free trial: Pro, Elite, and Premier. Here’s a breakdown of what each plan will get you:
- Pro ($74.99/month): 150 channels, 1000 hours of DVR storage, 100+ live sporting events, and unlimited screens
- Elite ($84.99/month): Everything included in Pro, plus Fubo Extra (49 additional channels) and News Plus (11 additional channels)
- Premier ($94.99/month): Everything included in Elite, plus live and on-demand Showtime
Additional channel bundles, like Fubo Extra and News Plus, are available as a la carte add-ons, but by subscribing to a plan that already includes them, you’ll be receiving a monthly discount. Other add-ons not included in one of the base plans are Starz ($9.99/month), Sports Plus with NFL RedZone ($10.99/month), and NBA League Pass ($14.99/month). The service also offers add-ons for international viewers who speak Spanish, Italian, French, and Portuguese.
Check out more streaming content here:
- How to Cut the Cable Cord and Still Watch TV in 2024
- Best Streaming Services in 2024
- Best Live TV Streaming Services in 2024
For more content, check out the Decider Shopping section.