爆料TV

Disney+ delivers an enormous library thanks to the sheer volume of media companies听Disney听owns.听Disney+ is home to the obvious听Disney听classics like "Snow White," "The Lion King," and "Frozen." But听Disney's aggressive purchasing of media companies means that听Disney+ houses a ton of content not immediately associated with the Mouse House, including "The Simpsons," the听Marvel听Cinematic Universe, "The Muppets," all of听Pixar's offerings, and every single "Star Wars" movie. It also owns Touchstone Pictures,听ABC,听ESPN, and 20th Century听Fox. Considering its history of purchasing, it's likely听Disney+ will only grow as the corporation buys up more and more intellectual property.

Pricing

• $6.99 per month or $69.99 per year:听Seven profiles and the ability for four听simultaneous streams
• $12.99 per month:听Disney+,听ESPN+, and听Hulu听bundle (the ad-supported听Hulu听plan)

Ads?听Not on听Disney+, but the $12.99 bundle includes ads on听Hulu.

Can I watch sports?听Disney+ doesn't offer any sports watching capabilities on its own app, but it does support a bundle with听ESPN+ and听Hulu听for $12.99 per month. That's $6 less than paying for the services individually.

Popular shows and films on听Disney+:听Unlike some of the competitor streaming services,听Disney+ outright owns the shows and films, so they won't be going away or shuffling between services every month. They're permanent fixtures. Big draws are the aforementioned franchises: "Star Wars" (including "The Mandalorian"), and the听Marvel听Cinematic Universe (including "WandaVision"). All听Pixar听films are available, from "Toy Story" to "Soul."听National Geographic听is also on听Disney+, adding nature documentaries and shows and films about animals, science, and history.

Of course, there is the large amount of听Disney's own IP, from early classics like "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," "Sleeping Beauty," and "Cinderella," to "The Little Mermaid," "The Lion King," and "Aladdin," to "Frozen," "Moana," and "Raya and the Last Dragon."听

Disney听Channel shows, combined with听ABC听shows (which听Disney听owns), means there are plenty of series on offer as well: "Boy Meets World," "That's So Raven," "Kim Possible," "DuckTales," "Hannah Montana," "Gravity Falls," "Lizzie McGuire," "Phineas & Ferb," "The Muppet Show," "The Suite Life of Zack & Cody," "Wizards of Waverly Place," "High School Musical: The Musical: The Series," "WandaVision," and many more. And while not all of the 20th Century听Fox听products are on听Disney+, notably, "The Simpsons" is.

How to watch

• Streaming devices听supported: Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Android phones and tablets,听Android TV听devices,听Apple听iPhone听and iPads,听Apple TV, Chromebooks,听Chromecast, LG听smart TVs,听Roku,听Samsung听smart TVs, Vizio Smartcast TV
• Mobile platforms supported:听iOS, Android
• Gaming consoles supported:听PlayStation听4,听PlayStation听5,听Xbox听One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
• Web browser viewing:听Yes
• Offline viewing:听Downloading is supported on Apple and Android phones and tablets as well as on the Amazon Fire Tablet apps
• Parental controls:听Yes

Hulu听is partially owned by听Disney, which explains the cozy relationship between听Hulu听and听Disney+ with shared programming and bundle deals.听Disney听effectively controls operations at听Hulu, so you can expect听Hulu听to be more fully integrated into the听Disney听behemoth as time goes on. For now,听Hulu听complements听Disney+ with a slate of more adult shows, including programming from听ABC,听Fox, and听Fox's sister channel FX (all owned by听Disney), which means there are a ton of great shows available. It also carries some popular听NBC听shows, though that may change as听NBC's streaming service听Peacock听claims more听NBC听programming to draw people to its service.听

Hulu's听Live TV听package also boasts an attractive slate of听live TV, with upwards of 65 channels. ABC,听NBC,听Fox,听CBS,听CNN,听TBS,听TNT,听Food Network, Cartoon Network, FX,听Disney听Channel, and more are included. And for sports fans, the听Hulu听+听Live TV听premium plan allows users to stream live games across the NCAA, NBA,听NHL,听NFL, the English Premier League, and more. 听

While it's easy to generate a high bill to get all the goods through听Hulu, the听add-ons听are robust and diverse enough to be the streaming hub of a household. Bundling听Hulu听with听Disney+ and听ESPN+, as well as the听live TV听streaming with the ability to watch the major sports games live, is a compelling breadth of programming.听

Pricing

• $5.99 per month:听Hulu听with ads
• $11.99 per month:听Hulu听without ads
• $12.99 per month:听Disney+,听ESPN+, and听Hulu听bundle (the ad-supported听Hulu听plan)
• $64.99 per month:听Hulu听+听Live TV
• $70.99 per month:听Hulu听without ads +听Live TV听听

Ads?听Each tier allows for an upgrade to go without ads. Additionally, users can tack on add-free viewing on听Hulu's premium networks if they're willing to fork up more money:听

• HBO Max听for $14.99 per month
• Showtime听for $10.99 per month
• Cinemax for $9.99 per month
• Starz听for $8.99 per month

Can I watch sports?听Yes, with the听Live TV听subscription. This allows viewers to stream games live, and record them with听Hulu's听Cloud DVR听feature. (The听Cloud DVR听starts with 50 hours of storage, and more can be purchased.) Pro and college sports leagues are shown, including NCAA, NBA,听NHL,听NFL, MLB, the English Premier League, and more. Live broadcasts of games are available through the top local, regional, and national听sports networks听available on听Hulu.

In听addition to the听Live TV听subscription, viewers need a device that supports听Hulu's听Live TV, and network coverage, which is subject to regional network availability. Users can figure that out by going to听.听The听Live TV听subscription can also be purchased for a single month and then canceled, for cases of can't-miss games like the Super Bowl.

What's popular on听Hulu:听Hulu听really delivers on the TV front.听Hulu听originals include "The Handmaid's Tale," "Shrill," "Pen15," "Ramy," "Little Fires Everywhere," "The Great," and the "Animaniacs" reboot. Its slate of available shows across other networks (which may disappear in the future, and in the case of听NBC听shows, is likely), include "Seinfeld," "Community," "Bob's Burgers," "Atlanta," "Killing Eve," "Brooklyn Nine-Nine," "Broad City," "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," "30 Rock," "Party Down," "Devs," "The Good Place," "Rick and Morty," and a lot more.

Film-wise,听Hulu听originals include "Palm Spring," "Happiest Season," and "Minding the Gap," and the service has upped its game in film distribution to include Golden Globe winner "Nomadland." Films on听Hulu听come and go, but current options include "Parasite," "Superbad," "Young Frankenstein," "The Social Network," "Mission: Impossible 鈥� Ghost Protocol," "Deadpool," "Sorry to Bother You," "Portrait of a Lady on Fire," and plenty more.听

How to watch

• Streaming devices听supported:听Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Android phones and tablets,听Android TV听devices,听Apple听iPhone听and iPads,听Apple TV, Chromebooks,听Chromecast, LG听smart TVs,听Roku,听Samsung听smart TVs, Vizio Smartcast TV
• Mobile platforms supported:听iOS, Android
• Gaming consoles supported:听PlayStation听4,听PlayStation听5,听Xbox听360,听XBox听One, Nintendo Switch.听Hulu's听Live TV听is only supported on听PlayStation听4 and听PlayStation听5.
• Web browser viewing:听Yes
• Offline viewing:听Hulu's library is available to download, but only for the more expensive plans with no ads. Users on those plans can download a maximum of 25 videos at a time, which can be viewed by up to five devices. The downloads expire after 30 days.
• Parental controls:听Yes

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The leader of modern streaming,听Netflix听remains a stalwart option in the ever-growing field of streaming services. While what's available on听Netflix听changes a lot鈥攐ptions come and go monthly鈥攖here is always a reliably large library of options.听Netflix's听original programming, of course, is permanent, and those originals are growing: The company has听听on its own shows and films, attracting听subscribers听and prestigious awards alike.听Netflix听听of the Golden Globe Awards in February 2021 and has earned hundreds of Emmy nominations since 2013, when it became the first streaming service to take home an Emmy for "House of Cards."

Pricing

• $8.99 per month:听Unlimited standard-definition streaming on one device
• $13.99 per month:听Unlimited high-definition streaming on two different devices simultaneously
• $17.99 per month:听Unlimited high-definition and 4K (when available) streaming on four different devices simultaneously听
• DVDs and Blu-ray mail delivery: $7.99/$11.99:听Yes,听Netflix听still mails DVDs (and now, Blu-rays as well). Snail mail can get you newer releases before they're streaming. For $7.99, you get one DVD at a time; for $11.99, you get two.听

Ads? No

Can I watch sports? No

What鈥檚 popular on听Netflix:听Even just looking at the roster of Netflix听originals, which are permanently available,听Netflix听has a solid offering. Original听TV shows听include "Stranger Things," "The Crown," "Dear White People," "Umbrella Academy," "The Queen's Gambit," "Bridgerton," "I Think You Should Leave," "Tiger King," "Making a Murderer," "House of Cards," "Russian Doll," "Ozark," "The Baby-Sitters Club," "Big Mouth," "Orange is the New Black," and hundreds more. Films include "To All the Boys I've Loved Before," "Da 5 Bloods," "13th," "Marriage Story," "The Old Guard," "The Irishman," "Okja," "Roma," "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs," and many more.

And听Netflix听still ranks among the top in terms of quality of offerings in its library. While that library changes every month, there are always many, many solid options to choose from. A downside to听Netflix听is that it can be difficult to know what is available and what is leaving the service, and its algorithms seem more interested in pushing synergy-friendly programming than figuring out what viewers want to watch based on their history.

How to watch

• Streaming devices听supported:听Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Android phones and tablets,听Android TV听devices, Apple听iPhone听and iPads,听Apple TV, 听Chromebooks,听Chromecast, LG听smart TVs,听Roku,听Samsung听smart TVs, Vizio Smartcast TV. Netflix听also has its own apps for Windows 10 and Facebook's Portal.
• Mobile platforms supported:听听iOS, Android
• Gaming consoles supported:听PlayStation听4,听PlayStation听5, Xbox 360,听Xbox听One, Xbox One S,听Xbox One X, Xbox Series S,听Xbox Series X
• Web browser viewing:听Yes
• Offline viewing:听Netflix听provides a simple way to download for offline viewing with its "Smart Downloads" feature, which deletes an episode after you've finished watching it and immediately downloads the next episode.听
• Parental controls:听Yes

Amazon Prime Video听took the crown of听听"certified fresh" films of any听streaming platform听in 2020. It also has the most content of any other service, though it's definitely a quantity-over-quality approach. Amazon has spent听billions听bulking up its library and, like the other players, investing heavily in听original programming. Amazon Channels allows听Prime members听allows users to tack on more channel subscriptions at additional costs, including HBO,听CBS听All Access,听Showtime,听Starz, Cinemax, and more, for a channel-viewing experience.

Pricing

• $8.99 per month:听Amazon Prime听Video听for three听simultaneous streams. This is the subscription if you want听Amazon Prime Video, but don't want to be an Amazon Prime member.
• $12.99 per month:听Amazon Prime membership.听Amazon Prime Video听is an automatic part of Amazon Prime membership. If you have an Amazon Prime account, you have听Amazon Prime Video. 听
• Additional channels like the aforementioned HBO or听CBS听All Access听have their own fees.

Ads?听Sometimes. There are no ads in听Amazon Prime Video听content. But Amazon Channels and some of Amazon's partner platforms听do听include ads during their shows. For example, if you're watching a show from IMDbTV (like "Schitt's Creek"), you will see its ads on Amazon Prime Video.

Can I watch sports? Amazon Prime Video offers a limited amount of live sports. Thursday Night Football games during the NFL's regular season can be streamed, while channels that offer live events can be tacked on (those include NBA League Pass, Paramount+, and PGA Tour Live).

Amazon Prime Video, on the other hand, streams Thursday Night Football games during the regular season (but note it doesn't offer all NFL games) and offers add-ons for watching live sports (MLB.TV, NBA League Pass, and PGA Tour Live).

What鈥檚 popular on听Amazon Prime Video:听Amazon Prime Video听doesn't have as many high-quality original programs as听Netflix听and Hulu, but some of the options include "Fleabag," a perfect show, as well as "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel," "The Boys," "Homecoming," "Tales from the Loop," "Bosch, "Catastrophe," and "The Man in the High Castle."听

How to watch

• Streaming devices听supported:听Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Android phones and tablets,听Android TV听devices, Apple听iPhone听and iPads,听Apple TV, 听Chromebooks,听Chromecast, LG听smart TVs,听Roku,听Samsung听smart TVs, Vizio Smartcast TV
• Mobile platforms supported:听iOS, Android
• Gaming consoles supported:听PlayStation听3,听PlayStation听4,听PlayStation听5,听Xbox 360, Xbox听One,听Xbox Series S,听Xbox听 Series X
• Web browser viewing:听Yes
• Offline viewing:听Videos may be download for offline viewing on mobile devices
• Parental controls:听Yes

HBO Max听is one of the pricier options, but it pays for a wealth of quality shows and films. HBO is owned by WarnerMedia, which also owns Warner Bros. That means Warner Bros. content鈥攊ncluding DC Comics, New Line Cinema, and Crunchyroll鈥攊s available on听HBO Max. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, several tentpole films from Warner Bros. continue to premiere听on听HBO Max听the same day they're released in theaters. HBO is known for its high-quality programming, and it usually delivers at least one must-watch TV event per year.听

Pricing

• $14.99 per month:听Viewing across five profiles and three听simultaneous streams听

Ads?听No

Can I watch sports? No

What鈥檚 popular on听HBO Max:听HBO has a deep well of听original shows听on offer and continues to invest in expensive, quality shows and films. Classics include "The Sopranos," "Sex and the City," "The Wire," and "Six Feet Under," while newer hits include "Game of Thrones," "Big Little Lies," "Barry," "Watchmen," "Succession," "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver," "Insecure," and "Silicon Valley." HBO also currently hosts "Friends" after it snagged the show from听Netflix听in a high-profile coup.

Film-wise,听HBO Max听titles include Warner Bros. classics like "2001: A Space Odyssey," "The Wizard of Oz," "The Philadelphia Story," "Citizen Kane," "Casablanca," "Rebel Without a Cause," 听and many, many more. It also is currently hosting the Criterion Collection, which means an embarrassment of riches awaits: Alfred Hitchcock's "The 39 Steps," Federico Fellini's "8陆," "Bicycle Thieves," "Seven Samurai," "Eraserhead," "Cleo from 5 to 7," "Rashomon," "Grey Gardens," "A Woman Under the Influence," "City Lights," "Seventh Seal," the "Three Colors" trilogy, and听more. As if that wasn't enough,听HBO Max听also has all of Studio Ghibli's films on offer, including "Spirited Away," "My Neighbor Totoro," "Howl's Moving Castle," and the rest of the films from the legendary Japanese animation studio.

How to watch

• Streaming devices听supported:听Amazon Fire听TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Android phones and tablets,听Android TV听devices, Apple听iPhone听and iPads,听Apple TV, Chromebook,听Roku,听Samsung听smart TVs
• Mobile platforms supported:听iOS, Android
• Gaming consoles supported:听PlayStation听4,听PlayStation听5,听Xbox听One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
• Web browser viewing:听Yes
• Offline viewing:听HBO Max听allows 30 downloads at a time, including shows and movies, for offline viewing. After a download is started, viewers have 48 hours to finish it. before it expires.听
• Parental controls:听Yes

You may also like:听100 best seasons of TV in the 21st century

Paramount听Plus made its debut in March 2021, replacing and building off of听CBS听All Access听by incorporating parent company ViacomCBS's robust slate of additional brands, including听Comedy Central,听Nickelodeon,听MTV, BET,听CBS,听Paramount听film studio, and The Smithsonian Channel. There's also听live TV, including听live sports听like听NFL, March Madness, and UEFA soccer.

Pricing

• $5.99 per month or $59.99 per year:听Watch everything with ads. Viewing across six profiles and three听simultaneous streams.
• $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year:听Watch without ads, in addition to the network of听CBS听live channels. Viewing across six profiles and three听simultaneous streams. This more expensive subscription also allows for offline viewing and 4K where available.

Ads?听Yes, you'll see ads during听on-demand听TV shows听unless you upgrade to the $10/month plan. Note that even with the premium option, you'll also see ads on听live TV, because it's听live TV.

Can I watch sports?听Yes. Sports fans can also watch live听NFL听games in their local market, the NCAA March Madness tournament, UEFA, Masters Tournament, and the Europa Leagues. Those who subscribe to SportsLine of 247Sports can听, which adds channels and sports.

What鈥檚 popular on听Paramount+:听CBS听staples like "Star Trek:听Discovery," "Star Trek: Picard," "The Good Fight," and "The Twilight Zone" reboot are popular shows currently airing. Classic shows available include the original "Star Trek," "Avatar: The Last Airbender," and "Frasier," which is getting a reboot that will air on听Paramount+. Channels include听Nickelodeon,听MTV,听Comedy Central, and BET.听Paramount's upcoming releases will also show up on the service after debuting in theaters. "A Quiet Place 2" and "Mission: Impossible 7" will be viewable.

How to watch

• Streaming devices听supported:听Amazon Fire TV,听Android phones and tablets,听Android TV听devices, Apple听iPhone听and iPads,听Apple TV,听听Chromecast,听LG听smart TVs,听Roku,听Samsung听smart TVs, Vizio Smartcast TV
• Mobile platforms supported:听iOS, Android
• Gaming consoles supported:听PlayStation听4,听Xbox听Series X,听Xbox听Series S
• Web browser viewing: Yes
• Offline viewing:听Paramount听Plus allows users on the pricier $9.99 per month plan to download shows and films across听iPhones, iPads, and Android devices, but doesn't let you download stuff to your computer. Users can download 25 titles at a time.
• Parental controls:听Yes

Peacock听is听NBC's streaming service. While听NBC听shows have been available to stream on bigger services like听Netflix听and听Hulu听over the years,听NBC听is starting to make some of its most popular shows exclusive to its听streaming platform. "The Office" and "Parks and Recreation," two of the network's biggest and beloved hits, are now available only via听Peacock, and it will likely be expanding those shows to draw "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" and "30 Rock" fans away from听Hulu. That's just the tip of the TV iceberg; there are a ton of shows on听Peacock.听

Peacock听also offers a distinct set of "channels" that are not live streams but rather streaming feeds curated around genres and themes. There's a channel just for "Saturday Night Live," another for "Keeping Up With the Kardashians," and another called "Today All Day" that acts as a news channel by pulling clips from the "Today" show with听original programming.

Peacock听is also making a bid to become a sports destination. It is the only听streaming platform听wrestling fans can watch WWE.

Pricing

• Free:听Access to about two-thirds of听Peacock's library
• $4.99 per month:听All programming, with ads听
• $9.99 per month:听All programming with no ads, as well as the ability to download certain shows for offline viewing

Ads?听Unless you go to the "Premium Plus" tier for $9.99 per month, you'll see ads. A small amount of shows and some听live TV听still has ads even on the "Premium Plus" plan.

Can I watch sports?听Yes. The free tier includes limited听live听sports听coverage, like the U.S. Open Championship, Women鈥檚 Open Championships, and certain Olympics coverage. With the $4.99 per month option, you can watch much more, including听NFL, English Premier League matches,听NHL, and NASCAR.听Peacock听is also the exclusive home of the WWE Network. Wrestling fans can watch a huge amount of WWE content and stream pay-per-view-like events. There will also be live coverage of the Olympics. 听

What's popular on听Peacock:听"The Office" is one of the most popular听TV shows听of all time, and it's only streaming on听Peacock. The first two seasons are free, but the rest requires a paid account. The same goes for "Parks and Recreation."听Other popular shows on听Peacock听include听"Saturday Night Live," "Friday Night Lights," "Downton Abbey," "30 Rock," "Battlestar Galactica," "Cheers," "Frasier," "Monk," "This is Us," "Law & Order," and "House." There's also a surprising number of听films on听Peacock听as well, including the "Harry Potter" film franchise, the "Bourn" trilogy, "The Big Lebowski," "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial," "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," "The Breakfast Club," "Knocked Up," and more.

How to watch

• Streaming devices听supported:听Android phones and tablets,听Android TV听devices, Apple听iPhone听and iPads,听Apple TV, 听Chromecast, LG听smart TVs,听Roku,听Vizio Smartcast TV
• Mobile platforms supported:听iOS, Android
• Gaming consoles supported:听PlayStation听4,听PlayStation听4,听Xbox听One,听Xbox听Series X,听Xbox听Series S
• Web browser viewing:听Yes
• Offline viewing:听Only with the $9.99 "Premium" plan, and only for certain shows, on the听Peacock听app鈥攚hich means you can't download to your devices.
• Parental controls:听Yes

Not to be confused with听Apple TV听(which is not actually a TV, but Apple's听听that plugs into TVs to act like a home base for all your other streaming apps),听Apple TV听is the technology giant's foray into streaming. It offers a small library of听original programming, including its marquee drama "The Morning Show," starring Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, and Steve Carell. The comedy series "Ted Lasso" was the service's first true breakout hit.听

Pricing:听$5 for streams across six devices. If you purchase an Apple device you'll听听of听Apple TV+; if you're a student with Apple Music you'll also get an听Apple TV+ account tacked on for free.

Ads?听No

Can I watch sports?听No

What's popular on听Apple TV听Plus:听"Ted Lasso" is听Apple TV+'s biggest hit, and "The Morning Show" is a high-budget show. Apple is putting a lot of money into its听original programming, but it has yet to reach the saturation of its competitors. "Dickinson," starring Hailee Steinfeld, and "Little America," an anthology series about immigrants to America, are both critically acclaimed but have been slow to find an audience.

How to watch

• Streaming devices听supported:听Amazon Fire TV,听Android phones and tablets,听Apple听iPhone听and iPads,听Apple TV,听听Chromecast, LG听smart TVs,听Roku,听Samsung听smart TVs, Vizio Smartcast TV
• Mobile platforms supported:听iOS, Android
• Gaming consoles supported:听PlayStation听4,听PlayStation听5,听Xbox听One,听Xbox听Series X, 听Xbox听Series S
• Web browser viewing:听Yes
• Offline viewing:听Yes
• Parental controls:听Yes

Everyone knows YouTube, but听YouTube TV听is much different. It operates more like a cable subscription than other streaming services, with live channels and听on-demand听streaming. The听channel lineup听includes听TNT,听MTV,听Comedy Central,听TBS,听Nickelodeon, ABC,听NBC,听CBS,听Fox, BET, and听PBS听in most markets. There are many听TV听channels听showing live sporting events, and听Showtime听and HBO can be added to subscriptions to bulk out the options. It uses听cloud DVR听tech with unlimited storage.听YouTube TV's focus on these channels makes it an attractive option for people who want to "cut the cord" while retaining the cable experience.听

Pricing:听$64.99 per month for six accounts and three streams per household

Ads?听When you save something to听YouTube TV's听cloud DVR听you can scroll through the commercials. Otherwise, the channels act like normal听cable TV, including the ads, and library shows typically include ads that can't be fast-forwarded through.

Can I watch sports?听Yes.听YouTube TV听is a strong contender for sports fans, offering听NFL, NBA, and听MLB networks, Big Ten Network, SPN,听Fox听Sports, 听CBS听Sports听Network, NBCSN, and SEC Network. There is also a "Sports Plus" package that costs an additional $10.99 per month that adds seven more networks:听NFL听RedZone,听Fox听College Sports,听Fox听Soccer Plus, GOLTV, MAVTV Motorsports Network, TVG / TVG2, and Stadium.

What's popular on听YouTube TV:听YouTube doesn't offer much in the way of听original programming. But you get essentially all the TV of听cable channels,听MTV,听Comedy Central,听PBS, and听Nickelodeon. Films come and go, some for a fee on top of the monthly subscription, but the Turner Classic Movies channel is included.

How to watch

• Streaming devices听supported:听Amazon Fire TV, Android phones and tablets,听Android TV听devices,听Apple听iPhone听and iPads,听Apple TV,听听Chromecast, LG听smart TVs,听Roku,听Samsung听smart TVs, Vizio Smartcast TV
• Mobile platforms supported:听iOS, Android
• Gaming consoles supported:听PlayStation听4,听PlayStation听4 Pro,听Xbox听Series X,听Xbox听Series S,听Xbox听One,听Xbox听One S, 听Xbox听One X
• Web browser viewing: Yes
• Offline viewing:听No, but the听听that offline viewing will be coming in the near future.
• Parental controls:听Yes

Sling TV听is an option for听cord-cutters听who want to replace cable with a cheaper alternative and aren't concerned about getting a comprehensive package of channels. There are two different plans, each with their own set of channels:听Sling Orange听and听Sling Blue听each cost $35 per month. You can purchase both Orange and Blue for $50 to get all the channels. Sling claims Orange is good sports and families while Blue is good for news and entertainment, but the channels on each color are a hodgepodge. Sling works best for people who watch the same channels and can cobble together what they want by combining a base plan with extra bundles and individual channel听add-ons.听

The amount of simultaneous streaming also varies by plan.听Local channels, however, aren't great on Sling.听NBC听and听Fox听aren't available everywhere;听ABC听requires use of an old-school antenna; and听CBS听is totally absent. There are a lot of gaps when it comes to channels in each plan that can be supplemented with individual channel听add-ons, but those hitch up the price to the point where you may not actually be saving all that much money if using听Sling TV听as an alternative to cable. While Sling's bread-and-butter is a cable replacement, it does offer some streamable shows and movies.

Pricing

• Sling Free:听On-demand听TV and films, as well as some live channels.
• Sling Orange:听$35 per month one stream with channels including Orange-only听Disney听Channel,听ESPN,听ESPN听2, and听ESPN听3.
• Sling Blue:听$35 per month for three听simultaneous streams听with channels including Blue-only听NFL听Network,听TNT,听National Geographic,听Discovery, and more. Currently,听CNN, HGTV,听TBS,听TNT,听AMC, History Channel, BET, BBC America, Cartoon Network, Lifetime,听Food Network, and more are on both Orange and Blue. In determining which color plan to go with, looking line by line at听听is a good idea.
• Sling Orange听and Blue:听$50 per month for four听simultaneous streams听and all the channels.
• Sling offers听听for an additional $5 per month. The bundles center around different themes: comedy, kids, news, lifestyle, Hollywood, and heartland. Individual channels can be added for $3 per month.

Can I watch sports?听Some sports are watchable on the channels that come standard with each color. For an additional $10 per month you can purchase the Sports Extra听add-on. For Orange subscriptions the Sports Extra adds 15 channels that include ACC Network, ACC Network Extra, beIN Sports, ESPNEWS, ESPNU, Longhorn Network,听MLB Network, MLB Strike Zone,听NBA TV,听NHL听Network, Outside TV, PAC 12 Network, SEC Network, and SEC Network+.

For听Sling Blue听subscriptions, Sports Extra adds 10 additional channels that including BeIN Sports,听Fox听Sports 2, Golf Channel,听MLB Network, MLB Strike Zone,听NBA TV,听NFL听Red Zone,听NHL听Network, Olympic Channel, Outside TV, PAC 12 Network, and Tennis Channel.

What鈥檚 popular on听Sling TV:听Channels like听TBS听and听TNT听that aren't on other cable imitators are nice. What's available varies by Orange and Blue subscriptions, plus the bundles and a-la-carte channel听add-ons.听

How to watch

• Streaming devices听supported:听Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Android phones and tablets,听Android TV听devices, Apple听iPhone听and iPads,听Apple TV, 听Chromecast, LG听smart TVs,听Roku,听Samsung听smart TVs, Vizio Smartcast TV
• Mobile platforms supported:听iOS, Android
• Gaming consoles supported:听Xbox听One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series S
• Web browser viewing:听Yes
• Offline viewing:听No
• Parental controls:听Yes, which is an outlier in the听cable channel听alternative services

FuboTV, similar to听other options on this list, acts best as a replacement to cable and focuses on providing a breadth of channels and sports viewing. It offers 114 channels in most markets, 65 of which are in the top 100 most popular channels, including the top four networks听CBS,听ABC,听NBC, and听Fox, as well as BET,听AMC, Animal Planet, and听National Geographic. It now carries听Disney听channels like听ESPN, ESPN2, ACC Network, and SEC Network.听FuboTV听is particularly strong when it comes to sports, offering a wide array of channels.

Pricing

• $65 per month:听The standard plan includes 114 channels, 250 hours of听cloud DVR听storage, and streaming over three devices at once.
• $80 per month:听The "Elite" plan increases the channels to 130, the听cloud DVR听storage听to 1,000 hours, streaming over up to 10 devices, and 46 more entertainment and news channels including the Cooking Channel, BBC World News, and TeenNick, even more听sports channels.

Ads?听FuboTV's听cloud DVR听allows you to fast-forward through commercials, but like watching a game on a cable network, if you're watching live, you'll see commercials.听

Can I watch sports?听Absolutely.听FuboTV听comes with a听听where viewers can watch live games from the听NFL, NBA and MLB, as well as听NHL, NASCAR, MLS, golf, tennis, boxing, MMA, college sports, and soccer and the UEFA Europa League. Fubo provides听cloud DVR听so users can watch a recorded game after it airs. Accounts come with 250 hours of storage; that can be听听for an additional fee. The听cloud DVR听storage听apples to all profiles.

What's popular on听FuboTV:听The sports. You'll get most of America's major sports leagues down to the local levels, plus international leagues.

How to watch

• Streaming devices听supported:听Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet,听Android phones and tablets,听Android TV听devices, Apple听iPhone听and iPads,听Apple TV, 听Chromecast,听Roku听(),听Samsung听smart TVs, Vizio Smartcast TV
• Mobile platforms supported:听iOS, Adroid
• Gaming consoles supported:听Xbox听One,听Xbox听One S,听Xbox听One X
• Web browser viewing: Yes
• Offline viewing:听No
• Parental controls:听No

You may also like:听Best sports documentaries of all time

The Criterion Collection houses some of the world's best films, and The Criterion Channel gives听subscribers听access to most of them. While Criterion is almost synonymous with high-brow art films, its library is full of both classic and contemporary offerings, with new and buzzy features next to classics. International and independent films are also at home on this service. Movie lovers will also enjoy The Criterion Channel's supplementary programming, with in-depth look behind film productions, interviews with directors and actors, analysis, and video essays on film.听

Opposed to services like听Netflix听that employ algorithms to suggest shows and films to its users, Criterion is a highly curative platform, with professional film critics and folks from the film industry adding their expertise to the experience. The people behind Criterion also understand that movie lovers want to see some of the world's most beautiful films in a high-quality format, and the service supports 1080p streams for most of its movies. It's also one of the cleanest and best-organized interfaces of any streaming service, with enough options for sorting that a new user won't feel overwhelmed with the enormous selection. Criterion is a highly curative service that offers collections around genre or theme.

Pricing:听$10.99 per month or $99.99 per year for streaming across three devices

Ads?听No

Can I watch sports?听No

What's popular on The Criterion Channel:听There is a staggering amount of quality films to watch: groundbreaking directors Federico Fellini and Ingmar Bergman; French New Wave luminaries Fran莽ois Truffaut, Agn猫s Varda, and Jean-Luc Godard; beacons of old听Hollywood like like Orson Welles, Alfred Hitchcock, George A. Romero, and Robert Altman; a who's who of contemporary international names like Wong Kar-wai, Olivier Assayas, Michael Haneke, and Edward Yang; and notable restorations like "The Apu Trilogy." Criterion houses too many historic and contemporary classics to name and regularly filters in arthouse films that get short shrift elsewhere.

How to watch

• Streaming devices听supported:听Amazon Fire TV, Android phones and tablets,听Android TV听devices, Apple听iPhone听and iPads,听Apple TV, 听Chromecast, LG听smart TVs,听Roku,听Samsung听smart TVs听()
• Mobile platforms supported:听iOS, Android
• Gaming consoles supported:听Xbox听One
• Web browser viewing: Yes
• Offline viewing: Yes
• Parental controls:听No

You may also like:听100 best dramas of all time

Kanopy is an under-the-radar streaming service that's available to most people with a library card and most university students and faculty, depending on if the library or university is enrolled with Kanopy. The service focuses on films and documentaries and currently offers a stellar array from A24, Bleecker Street,听Paramount,听PBS, Criterion, HBO Documentary Films, and Samuel Goldwyn Films. You can watch a maximum 10 films per month.

Pricing:听Free with a library card or valid university email address. Find out if your university participates听. Find out if your library participates听. University credentialing includes students and faculty.

Ads?听Nope. Thanks to the generosity of public libraries and universities, these films are ad-free.

Can I watch sports?听No

What's popular on Kanopy:听A24 hits like "Moonlight," "Lady Bird," and "Hereditary." Classics like "Chinatown," "Once Upon a Time in the West," and "Harold and Maude." Arthouse films like "The Love Witch," "Her Smell," and "Two Lovers." Documentaries like "I Am Not Your Negro," "Paris is Burning," and "I'll Be Gone in the Dark." And foreign films classic and new like "In the Mood for Love," "Beanpole," "Embrace of the Serpent," "Ida," and "Dogtooth."

How to watch

• Streaming devices听supported:听Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Android phones and tablets,听Android TV听devices,听Apple听iPhone听and iPads,听Apple TV, 听Chromecast,听Roku,听Samsung听smart TVs,听
• Mobile platforms supported:听iOS, Android
• Gaming consoles supported:听None
• Web browser viewing: Yes
• Offline viewing:听No
• Parental controls:听Yes

Acorn TV brings shows from Britain, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Italy, and France to American viewers. Some of these shows can be found on other streaming services, but many international offerings are only available to Americans via Acorn TV and BritBox, the next entry on this list. Acorn TV is definitely more niche, and doesn't offer some of the services the bigger platforms do, like downloads and parental controls, and streams only go as high as 720p resolution. But if you're a fan of some of the international shows that have become hits in America, or just curious, Acorn TV has a large library to satisfy a desire for something truly new.

Pricing:听$5.99 per month or $59.99 per year for four听simultaneous streams.听

Ads?听No.

Can I watch sports?听No.

What's popular on Acorn TV:听There are听a听lot听of the cozy murder mystery shows that Britain seems to specialize in and Americans love. Popular shows include "Doc Martin," "Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries," and "Midsomer Murders," miniseries like "And Then There Were None" and "Deadwater Fell," and classic British programming like "Agatha Christie's Poirot" and "Agatha Christie's Marple." Period dramas also abound, including "A Suitable Boy," "Anna Karenina," "Victorian Farm," "Fingersmith," and many more.

In addition to that lineup, Acorn TV has invested in original program with well-received shows like "The Detectorists," "Finding Joy," and the TV movie "Curtain: Poirot鈥檚 Last Stand," which was nominated for an Emmy. While Acorn TV does offer films, the shows are its strong point. Still, some movies on offer include "Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead," "The Return," and "The Way Back."

How to watch

• Streaming devices听supported:听Amazon Fire TV, Android phones and tablets,听Android TV听devices, Apple听iPhone听and iPads,听Apple TV,听听Chromecast,听Roku,听Samsung听smart TVs
• Mobile platforms supported:听iOS, Android
• Gaming consoles supported:听None
• Web browser viewing: Yes
• Offline viewing:听No
• Parental controls:听No

BBC and ITV make up BritBox, the service for Anglophiles to get all their British television. There is some overlap between Acorn TV and BritBox, and some shows switch between the two services, with different seasons of the same show sometimes getting divvied up. But BritBox focuses on British shows, and its library is extensive on this front thanks to the large stock of content between BBC and ITV. Streaming on the web and mobile phones is limited to 720p resolution.

Pricing:听$6.99 per month or $69.99 per year for five听simultaneous streams.

Ads?听No.

Can I watch sports?听No.

What's popular on BritBox: Big draws like听"Downton Abbey,"听"The Office" (the British original), "Wallander," "Classic Doctor Who," "The Thick of It," "Agatha Christie's Poirot," "Rev.," "Prime Suspect," "Vera," and "Black Adder" are all on BritBox. Very British classics like "Fawlty Towers," 鈥淯pstairs/Downstairs,鈥� "Absolutely Fabulous," and the long-running "Up" series are also available. Period piece miniseries like "Pride and Prejudice," "Jane Eyre," "Bleak House," and many more abound. And while "The Great British Bake Off" is not streaming on BritBox or Acorn TV, the similarly lovely "Gardener's World" is on BritBox.听

How to watch

• Streaming devices听supported:听Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Android phones and tablets,听Android TV听devices, Apple听iPhone听and iPads,听Apple TV, 听Chromecast, LG听smart TVs,听Roku,听Samsung听smart TVs
• Mobile platforms supported:听iOS, Android
• Gaming consoles supported:听None
• Web browser viewing: Yes
• Offline viewing:听No
• Parental controls:听Yes

You may also like:听100 best miniseries of all time

Philo听combines live channels with听on-demand听streaming shows and movies. It's a relatively cheap and straightforward option for cable听cord-cutters, offering听听that form a solid package for only $20 per month. Notably, sports and news are not well-represented, with entertainment, lifestyle, and educational channels making up the bulk of the roster. Those channels include听Comedy Central,听Food Network, BET,听Discovery听Channel,听AMC, HGTV, Animal Planet, BBC America, Cooking Chanel, the Travel Channel, and more. Epix can be added for $6 per month and听Starz听for $9 per month. Shows can be watched live or recorded to watch later.听Philo听offers unlimited听cloud DVR听for those recordings, which is pretty wild; however, shows are automatically deleted after 30 days.

Pricing:听$20 per month for three听simultaneous streams听

Ads?听Yes, when you're watching听live TV. Recorded shows can easily be forwarded through ads.

Can I watch sports?听No.听Philo听doesn't carry any听sports channels听or local news channels that air games.

What's popular on听Philo:听The channels available bring a lot of popular TV, including "The Walking Dead," "The Office," "Community," "RuPaul's Drag Race," "Portlandia," and much more.听

How to watch

• Streaming devices听supported:听Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Android phones and tablets,听Android TV听devices, Apple听iPhone听and iPads,听Apple TV, 听Chromecast,听Roku听(Philo听is not supported by听smart TVs).
• Mobile platforms supported:听iOS, Android
• Gaming consoles supported:听None
• Web browser viewing:听Yes
• Offline viewing:听No
• Parental controls:听No

DirecTV Stream听(formerly听AT&T TV, which was formerly听AT&T听TV听Now, which was formerly听DirecTV听Now) is an expensive option for听cord-cutters. There are many听听that provide a varying amount of channels and options, as well as听add-ons听and听perks听that frequently change, so doing your research is a must before committing, and expect to get at least a little confused as you go through that process.听On-demand听content听is also included.听

DirecTV Stream听offers听unlimited听cloud DVR听storage听with some fine print: recordings are deleted after 90 days, and for听TV series听recordings, there's a maximum of 30 episodes that can be kept on the DVR storage. Reliable high-speed听internet connection听is critical for听DirecTV Stream听to work well. 听

Pricing:听All plans get you three听simultaneous streams.

• $59.99 per month听for the cheapest "entertainment" bundle, which includes 65 channels
• $64.99 per month听for 90 channels, with two different packages that offer different sets of channels (but a lot of overlap)
• $74.99 per month听for 120 channels
• $79.99 per month听for 130 channels
• $129.99 per month听for 140 channels

Ads?听Yes.

Can I watch sports?听Yes. All packages come with at least听, and viewers can select upgrades based on how many different sports-focused channels they want.

What's popular on听DirecTV Stream:听Between all the different options, you can watch pretty much any television show on听DirecTV Stream, and many of those channels show a lot of movies, as well.听

How to watch

• Streaming devices听supported:听Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Android phones and tablets,听Android TV听devices, Apple听iPhone听and iPads,听Apple TV, 听Chromecast,听Roku,听Samsung听smart TVs
• Mobile platforms supported:听iOS, Android
• Gaming consoles supported:听None
• Web browser viewing:听Yes
• Offline viewing:听No
• Parental controls: Yes