As more and more people have started streaming videos online as their primary way of watching TV shows and movies, maybe you've wondered if you should join the crowd. Lucky for you, many companies are trying to stake their claim on the streaming audience, even YouTube is getting in the TV streaming game, which means you have plenty of options to choose from.
If you are looking for the best streaming services currently available, check out our list below before making your subscription decision.
#1: Netfilix
For many people, Netflix is synonymous with streaming. Not only does
this service offer a variety of critically acclaimed movies and
television shows, it also produces award-winning content like
Orange is the New Black and
House of Cards.
Its catalogue isn't complete, but you'll have more than enough content
at your fingertips to keep you binge-watching for weeks.
#2: Hulu
If Netflix is the default service for watching movies, Hulu is the
default for watching television. New episodes of most major shows are
available within a few days of airing. Its free subscription option lets
you watch recent episodes, but customers who pay for Hulu Plus get
access to many shows' complete catalogues. This service is not just for
TV, however: its movie selection may not be as robust as others, but it
does have access to the Criterion Collection.
#3: Amazon Prime Instant Video
Available as part of an Amazon Prime subscription or on its own, Amazon
Prime Instant Video has a few original series under its belt — including
the Emmy Award–winning
Transparent — but the thing that really
sets the service apart is its access to HBO classics. The company also
offers a variety of add-on packages from partners like Starz and
Showtime, which also allow you to use your Amazon Prime credentials to
log in to their standalone apps.
#4: HBO Now
If even Amazon Prime doesn't offer enough HBO content to keep you
satisfied, don't worry as there are plenty of ways to watch HBO content.
The company's newest service is HBO Now, which allows you to watch all
of HBO's stellar original programming —
Band of Brothers, The Sopranos, and
Game of Thrones — without a traditional cable subscription. Their movie
selection is narrower than other services, but monthly updates keep it
fresh.
#5: Crackle
Crackle is the streaming service for viewers on a tight budget — it's
always 100% free. While admittedly not as impressive as most paid
services, it has a solid library that is being constantly
updating.There are plenty of choices including Crackle originals like
Jerry Seinfeld's
Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. The service won't cost you anything to try, and odds are Crackle will work with whatever device you're already using.
#6: Sling TV
Most services focus on libraries of on-demand content. Sling TV, on the
other hand, acts as a sort of cable replacement: its main emphasis is on
allowing you to stream live television. A basic subscription lets you
watch most major channels, including ESPN, AMC, Cartoon Network, and
CNN. The service also offers special add-on packages for an additional
monthly fee, including a sports package and "Best of Spanish TV" to
personalize your subscription.
#7: PlayStation Vue
Like Sling, PlayStationVue aims to replace cable subscription by
offering live TV streaming. It might even be a viable alternative to a
traditional cable subscription, as it offers a pretty good selection of
channels for its price. As it currently stands, however, Vue is
available only through PlayStation consoles or Amazon Fire TV, which
does limit who can use it.
#8: CBS All Access
It may seem odd to pay to stream content from a free broadcast network,
but when it comes to original programming, no streaming service can
compete with a member of the Big Three. CBS All Access offers thousands
of episodes from classics like
I Love Lucy and more contemporary fare like
The Late Show with Steven Colbert. Stream live or on-demand: new episodes are available on the app the next day.
#9: DISH Anywhere
If you already have a cable or satellite subscription, many now allow
you to take your subscription with you. DISH Anywhere, for example, lets
you watch TV, movies, and clips for free. DISH customers with a
Sling-enabled DVR can access their live TV and DVR recordings, plus the
networks they subscribe to through DISH — like HBO, Starz, and TNT.
Other pay-TV companies also offer this kind of deal, so if you're
currently paying for a TV subscription, check with your provider to see
what streaming options they offer.
#10: Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll is a great example of a new kind of streaming service:
instead of casting a wide net, it focuses on a specific genre — in this
case, anime. The site offers free and premium memberships, which deliver
professionally translated media within minutes of the original TV
broadcasts. Other streaming services, like Twitch and Funny or Die,
cater to other specific audiences. These specialized services aren’t as
robust as the giants above, but if you’re looking for a specific type of
content they may be your best bet.
If you've ever considered streaming video, now's the time to jump in and
give it a try. Many of these services offer free trials, so get out
there and immerse yourself in the stream. Just be sure to come up for
air every once in a while.
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