Which Streaming Service Is Best For Me?

 

Cable TV vs. Streaming TV 

An increasing number of people are “cutting the cord” (canceling their cable TV subscriptions) and investing in streaming alternatives.  According to Nielsen, in 2022 streaming audiences overtook cable TV subscribers for the first time (39% to 31%). Younger viewers are more likely to use streaming services while older adults tend to prefer cable TV. (13 Cable TV Statistics Marketers Should Know in 2023.)   

 

Amazingly, 85% of U.S. households have at least one video streaming subscription. (35 Streaming Services Statistics for 2023: Deep Dive Into Video & Music Streaming) 

 

What is streaming? 

For those that don't know, streaming is a process that allows you to watch TV using devices that are connected to the Internet (e.g. smart TVs, laptops, smartphones, and gaming consoles). Some streaming services only offer pre-recorded content like movies and TV shows, but live events like sports matches, award shows and local news are becoming more common. 

 

In order to access the streaming content on your devices, you will first need to sign up for a subscription service like Netflix and pay a monthly or annual fee.  One of the conveniences of on-demand streaming, as opposed to scheduled programming on network or cable television, is you can watch what you want, whenever you want, often ad-free. (Top 10 Best Streaming TV Services of 2023 Stream anything from anywhere) 

 

Which streaming service is best for me? 

Obviously you are going to want a streaming service that offers the kind of shows you want to watch.  Each service has their own content, and some content moves around from platform to platform.  I use Just Watch to look up a particular movie or TV show to see if and where it is currently streaming, and if there are any free viewing options available.   

 

If you have multiple household users, then a concurrent streaming option on the same account may be important to you. Of course, subscription cost is a factor. There are also free streaming services available, like Tubi, Freevee and Pluto, if you don't mind ads.  If you have a library card, Kanopy has an extensive collection of movies, TV shows, and educational content for free, with no ads. 

 

Most popular streaming services in 2023 

There are over 200 streaming services worldwide.  Netflix is #1 with 220 million subscribers in 2022, in over 190 countries (35 Streaming Services Statistics for 2023: Deep Dive Into Video & Music Streaming).  According to PCMag.com The Best Video Streaming Services for 2023 based on price, catalog, features, etc. are:  

• Netflix – Best for Original Shows 
• Hulu – Best for Live and On-Demand Content 
• Peacock – Best for Affordable TV Shows and Movies 
• Amazon Prime Video – Best for On-Demand Shows and Movies 
• Max – Best for HBO Shows and Popular Movies 
• Disney+ – Best for Family Friendly Content  
• YouTube TV – Best for Replacing Cable 
• Tubi – Best for Free Movies 
• Fubo – Best for Sports  

How many streaming services should I get? 

You can subscribe to as many paid services as you can afford, but the cost can add up fast, and there are only so many hours in the day to watch TV.  Be ruthless in deciding which services you actually watch and how much you are willing to spend.  One paid service at a time like Netflix or Amazon Prime Video might be more than enough, especially if you can supplement it with free services.   

 

Once you choose a streaming service, or bundle two or more, you can always change things up later. You usually pay month-to-month, and with no contract you can cancel at any time.  Some services offer a price break for an annual payment plan.   

 

How can I save on streaming services? 

To save money, take advantage of the free trial periods or special deals offered by streaming services.  For example, these days many offer ad-sponsored subscription levels for a lower price.  Brett Holzhauer's article, Hulu is raising its prices — here’s how you can save on your streaming services lists some other cost saving tips like: 

1. Condense and consolidate – most American families have 4 or 5 streaming services, cancel or pause one you aren't using 
2. Share subscriptions with family and friends – rules vary, but some services offer accounts that can be shared with up to 4 people  
3. Consider switching cell phone providers – promotions may offer free access to some streaming services, but be sure it is a good deal for you 
4. Consider a credit card with rewards for streaming service purchases 

I keep a list of what I watch and what paid platform it is on, to make sure I’m  not wasting my money.  If you haven’t used it in a while, drop it. I'm currently down to two paid streaming services (Max and Netflix), but I plan to cancel at least one next year and try something else with new content.  

 

The Future of Streaming 

Turns out the ad-free streaming model, popular for the last decade, is not sustainable. Growth has slowed down as the paid streaming services have reached most of their audience. To make up for this, they are turning more and more to ad revenue in order to generate income.  They are also raising prices.  

 

According to The Verge's article The future of streaming is ads, free ad-supported platforms are now the fastest-growing part of the streaming business.  Services like Tubi, Freevee and Pluto, that have been around for years, are coming into their own. They may have ads (some more than others), but they are free, their libraries are growing, and they require no login or subscription, 

 

Consolidation, or bundling multiple services, similar to the cable TV model, will probably be more common in the future as well. 

 

Many consumers struggle with too many streaming choices.  How many streaming services do you pay for?  Which ones?