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The best streaming services in 2024©Google Play; Netflix; Disney+; Apple TV; Amazon Prime Video; Hulu; Alyssa Powell/Business Insider
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There are now more streaming options than ever, but subscribing to every service out there will quickly weigh on your wallet. To help you decide what to sign up for, we rounded up the best streaming services of 2024 and broke down what makes each of them unique.
Some of our top picks include Disney Plus, ideal for families and big fans of Marvel and "Star Wars," and Hulu, which is great for cord-cutters thanks to its selection of network shows. Meanwhile, we think Netflix is still the leader in original series.
Below, you can find all of our recommendations for the best streaming services, with picks for different budgets and viewing habits in mind.
Best for families: Disney PlusDisney Plus is the top streaming choice for families and fans of blockbuster franchises like Marvel and "Star Wars."
Best for CBS fans: Paramount PlusParamount Plus is perfect for viewers who want to stream CBS TV shows, premium cable content from Showtime, and local NFL games.
Best ad-free plan on a budget: Apple TV PlusApple TV Plus has a limited lineup, but it's less expensive than other ad-free services, and it has a growing selection of exclusive series.
Best for NBC fans: PeacockPeacock is a convenient streaming source for hit NBC TV shows, Universal movies, and select sports like Sunday Night Football.
Best for sports: ESPN PlusESPN Plus is designed for sports, giving subscribers access to live MLB, NHL, soccer, golf matches, and exclusive UFC fights.
Best for online shoppers: Amazon Prime VideoAmazon Prime Video is a capable, competitive streaming service that's more than just a Prime membership perk.
Best for originals: NetflixWith its exclusive shows and a huge content library, Netflix remains one of the quintessential streaming services.
Best for critically acclaimed content: MaxMax is a premium service for fans of prestige television, iconic films, and unscripted programs.
Best for reality and documentary: Discovery PlusDiscovery Plus is the streaming home for TLC, Food Network, HGTV, and Discovery shows, making it perfect for reality and documentary TV fans.
See more
The NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Getty Images© Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Getty Images
For those who care about Netflix's ability to grow its nascent advertising business, it's a big deal. Advertisers will pay a lot for audiences that are tuning in for live sports, and unlike with TV shows and movies, those audiences expect to see ads during breaks in the action on the field.
For sports fans, it's another story. The news will bring to seven the number of places where the NFL's 272 regular season games will be spread: Four TV networks (CBS, Fox, Disney, and NBC), with a handful airing on Amazon, NFL Network, and now, Netflix.
All in, it could cost fans $1,600 to watch all the games without cable, The Guardian reported, citing MarketWatch estimates.
That assumes you're subscribing to Netflix's cheapest tier, the $6.99 per month "Basic with Ads," among other things, and that you don't forget to cancel your subscription after watching the games. But the bet Netflix and other streamers are making is that you keep subscribing to watch all the other stuff they have, from movies to TV shows to live specials. An Antenna report found that 71% of Peacock subscribers who signed up to watch an exclusive playoff game earlier this year remained subscribers.
And it's not just the NFL that's seeing distribution creep. For the past 21 years, the NBA has had just two TV partners: Disney's ESPN and Warner Bros. Discovery's TNT. Media analysts widely expect the NBA to select more distributors for its next media rights deal after the current setup expires in 2025. Experts expect the NBA will opt for three to avoid spreading its games too thin, though.
The leagues would say they're just following the viewers, who themselves are splitting their time across multiple streaming services as well as TV.
They're also chasing the growing pot of money for sports rights that media platforms are willing to pay for live sports' lucrative audiences.
Some viewers also may not remember or realize that when they subscribed to cable, they were paying for sports via their cable package — whether they watched sports or not.
But with the costs unbundled and viewers having to hunt around to find them, it's no surprise that some NFL fans are crying foul.
When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more
There are now more streaming options than ever, but subscribing to every service out there will quickly weigh on your wallet. To help you decide what to sign up for, we rounded up the best streaming services of 2024 and broke down what makes each of them unique.
Some of our top picks include Disney Plus, ideal for families and big fans of Marvel and "Star Wars," and Hulu, which is great for cord-cutters thanks to its selection of network shows. Meanwhile, we think Netflix is still the leader in original series.
Below, you can find all of our recommendations for the best streaming services, with picks for different budgets and viewing habits in mind.
Our top picks for the best streaming services
Best for cord-cutters: HuluHulu is an excellent choice for cord-cutters thanks to a mix of exclusive titles and next-day streaming for popular network shows.Best for families: Disney PlusDisney Plus is the top streaming choice for families and fans of blockbuster franchises like Marvel and "Star Wars."
Best for CBS fans: Paramount PlusParamount Plus is perfect for viewers who want to stream CBS TV shows, premium cable content from Showtime, and local NFL games.
Best ad-free plan on a budget: Apple TV PlusApple TV Plus has a limited lineup, but it's less expensive than other ad-free services, and it has a growing selection of exclusive series.
Best for NBC fans: PeacockPeacock is a convenient streaming source for hit NBC TV shows, Universal movies, and select sports like Sunday Night Football.
Best for sports: ESPN PlusESPN Plus is designed for sports, giving subscribers access to live MLB, NHL, soccer, golf matches, and exclusive UFC fights.
Best for online shoppers: Amazon Prime VideoAmazon Prime Video is a capable, competitive streaming service that's more than just a Prime membership perk.
Best for originals: NetflixWith its exclusive shows and a huge content library, Netflix remains one of the quintessential streaming services.
Best for critically acclaimed content: MaxMax is a premium service for fans of prestige television, iconic films, and unscripted programs.
Best for reality and documentary: Discovery PlusDiscovery Plus is the streaming home for TLC, Food Network, HGTV, and Discovery shows, making it perfect for reality and documentary TV fans.
See more
The NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Getty Images© Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Getty Images
- Netflix secured a three-season deal with the NFL to air two games on Christmas.
- The deal boosts the streamer's ad business, appealing to advertisers seeking live sports audiences.
- NFL games will now be spread across seven platforms, potentially raising costs for fans.
For those who care about Netflix's ability to grow its nascent advertising business, it's a big deal. Advertisers will pay a lot for audiences that are tuning in for live sports, and unlike with TV shows and movies, those audiences expect to see ads during breaks in the action on the field.
For sports fans, it's another story. The news will bring to seven the number of places where the NFL's 272 regular season games will be spread: Four TV networks (CBS, Fox, Disney, and NBC), with a handful airing on Amazon, NFL Network, and now, Netflix.
All in, it could cost fans $1,600 to watch all the games without cable, The Guardian reported, citing MarketWatch estimates.
That assumes you're subscribing to Netflix's cheapest tier, the $6.99 per month "Basic with Ads," among other things, and that you don't forget to cancel your subscription after watching the games. But the bet Netflix and other streamers are making is that you keep subscribing to watch all the other stuff they have, from movies to TV shows to live specials. An Antenna report found that 71% of Peacock subscribers who signed up to watch an exclusive playoff game earlier this year remained subscribers.
And it's not just the NFL that's seeing distribution creep. For the past 21 years, the NBA has had just two TV partners: Disney's ESPN and Warner Bros. Discovery's TNT. Media analysts widely expect the NBA to select more distributors for its next media rights deal after the current setup expires in 2025. Experts expect the NBA will opt for three to avoid spreading its games too thin, though.
The leagues would say they're just following the viewers, who themselves are splitting their time across multiple streaming services as well as TV.
They're also chasing the growing pot of money for sports rights that media platforms are willing to pay for live sports' lucrative audiences.
Some viewers also may not remember or realize that when they subscribed to cable, they were paying for sports via their cable package — whether they watched sports or not.
But with the costs unbundled and viewers having to hunt around to find them, it's no surprise that some NFL fans are crying foul.
