How to Choose the Right Streaming Service for You
Reading Time: 5 minutesWhich streaming service should you choose if you like watching anime, action, or something entirely different? We’ll help you find out.
With so many streaming services available, it’s too easy to waste money on platforms you won’t use. Back in the day, the promise of cord-cutting was that you no longer needed to waste money on content that didn’t interest you or your household.
While that still applies, you can spend more than you would with an old-school cable TV package if you aren’t careful. Try these tips to help you choose the right streaming services. We even included top services covering popular genres to help you get started.
Identify Your Interests
Make sure any services you are considering will play nicely with your streaming device, smart TV, or set-up box. This is less likely to be a problem if you use a streaming device like Roku, but sometimes people run into compatibility issues, especially if they use an older smart TV to stream.
Note your budget and how many household members you want to accommodate. If your budget is tight and household members have different entertainment preferences, you may find it more cost-effective to subscribe to one of the larger streaming services that offers a broader mix of movies and shows. If it’s just you and you have specific tastes, you may prefer one of the niche services.
Finally, consider the genres or programming you want to watch. Research the services with the most attractive programming for your interests. Also, remember that most platforms rotate content off to make room for newer shows or movies or whenever a partnership expires.
While programming constantly changes, you can see whether a service fits your interests using an app to search all streaming services like ReelGood or JustWatch.
We created a list to help you get started, be sure and check current pricing and availability since prices, plans, features, and programming are constantly changing.
1. For Family-Friendly Entertainment, Choose Disney+
Whether you want kid-friendly content or shows that entertain multiple generations, the top contender is Disney+. With family-friendly content from Disney, Star Wars, National Geographic, Marvel, or Pixar, you will be spoiled for choice.
Disney+ also offers features like parental controls, the ability to set up multiple profiles with different maturity ratings, and more. Depending on your needs, you may be interested in one of the Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ bundles.
There are other free platforms to find kids’ shows with your library card, like PBS Kids. PBS Kids is free if you live in an area covered by a PBS station with apps available in the App Store, Windows Store, Amazon apps, and Google Play.
2. You Have Many Options if You’re Looking for Original Films
When it comes to original and new-release films, the best streaming service will vary depending on the type of movie you like. In 2017, when Amazon’s original film ‘Manchester By The Sea’ was nominated for the Oscar for Best Picture and multiple other categories, streaming services were already producing original films, and this trend has only grown ever since.
With so many streaming services getting into producing original films, the best option depends on the films you like. For example:
- If you love Disney or Marvel movies, Disney+ is a good choice
- If you are a fan of Warner Brothers films, then HBO Max tends to get them first
- New Universal Studios films typically stream on Peacock first
- If you like Paramount Pictures films, Paramount+ aggressively added to their new original film lineup
Other streaming services like Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, and Hulu also produce original films. Streaming rental services like Apple TV, Amazon Video, and AMC On Demand may be cheaper if you chase new releases from multiple studios.
3. For Classic Films, the Criterion Collection Is the Perfect Choice
Most free and subscription-based streaming services offer a library of older films. But, if you enjoy classic movies that may be shown in a film studies class or series, you may enjoy the Criterion Collection.
If you want to try another streaming service with an ad-supported tier, you can try HBO Max. This platform also offers an assortment from the Criterion Collection and more mainstream comedies, action films, and more.
4. Choose Crunchyroll if You Love Anime
If you’re an anime lover looking for the best anime streaming apps, you can’t go wrong with Crunchyroll. The platform claims they have the world’s largest anime collection and often streams an anime show within an hour of its streaming debut in Japan.
Crunchyroll is a good option if you want one of the best manga apps. For other options to stream anime, you may enjoy HBO Max, Netflix, or Amazon Prime Video.
5. Hulu Offers the Best Classic TV Shows
Hulu is a standard choice for streaming current and classic TV shows. At the time of writing, you can find classics like The Golden Girls, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Bob Ross’s Joy of Painting, and others.
Tubi, The Roku Channel, and FilmRise are free streaming services offering TV hits from yesteryear that are perfect for a rainy day or sick day comfort viewing.
6. You’ll Find the Best Horror Content On AMC+
If you are a fan of horror and thrillers, AMC+ may be your streaming service of choice. Previously we would recommend Shudder, but the AMC+ bundle includes curated Shudder programming and AMC horror series like The Walking Dead, Interview With a Vampire, and more.
7. True Crime Lovers Have a Lot of Platforms to Choose From
Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime offer true crime documentaries and dramas inspired by real crimes. Sometimes they even have competing documentaries covering the same crimes. Once you get a sense of your preferred documentary style, you will identify the best for your tastes.
Discovery+ also has an extensive library of true crime series like The First 48, The Hunt with John Walsh, and others produced by CNN, A&E, or Discovery. Free streaming services like The Roku Channel and Tubi also offer ad-supported true-crime programming.
8. Check Discovery+ if You Love Reality Shows
While most major streaming services have their own reality shows, Discovery+ has a library of series by A&E, CNN, Discovery Channel, and more. Whether you want to binge Say Yes to the Dress, Storage Wars, or just about any Food Network cooking show, they’ve got you covered.
Hulu may also be an honorable mention with its library of unscripted network shows like Shark Tank, The Kardashians, The Bachelor, and RuPaul’s Drag Race on demand.
9. Which Streaming Service Should You Choose for Award Shows and Live Events?
If you enjoy watching live events like the Academy Awards, Grammy Awards, or the Superbowl, choosing a streaming service is a challenge.
Your best bet is a ‘live television’ service like Sling, Direct TV, or YouTube TV. Another cheaper option is to install an HD antenna or to visit the awarding body’s website to see whether they plan to live stream through YouTube, their website, or a social media platform.
10. For Your Basic Sports Needs, Pick ESPN+
Like award shows, live sports kept some people on cable and network television. Also, the best streaming service will vary depending on which sports you follow..
There is an additional challenge since individual teams are usually associated with specific cities or regions. Streaming rights are traditionally negotiated on a regional basis with a preference for each team’s local fanbase. This is changing, so you may be able to find a streaming service covering your favorite sports.
ESPN+, Paramount+, fuboTV, or a niche channel like Major League Baseball’s MLB TV all offer access to live games. In 2023, Apple TV+ started offering an MLS Season Pass to stream soccer.
Keep in mind that, even with an established streaming service like ESPN and MLB TV, you may not always be able to stream your local college or professional team, depending on their deals with broadcast TV networks.
The Right Streaming Service Is the One You Will Use
The right streaming service is the one you will get the most enjoyment out of. With high competition in the market, platforms remove content, add new features, change their pricing, or merge. The best service for you today may not be the best next season. Since it is easy to change streaming services, some prefer to change their subscriptions depending on their interests at the time.
Reference: https://www.makeuseof.com/how-to-choose-right-streaming-service/
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