Best 5 Streaming Services

Netflix is the standard-bearer for streaming video services, hosting an impressive content selection, including a constantly growing library of premier original programming that outclasses its rivals. Its impressive catalog includes shows like Stranger Things, The Witcher, and original movies like El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie and The Irishman. However, it has lost some top titles recently, such as Friends and The Office.

Netflix is a premium service for people willing to pay premium prices, with its Standard tier costing $15.49 per month for HD content and two simultaneous streams, and its Premium plan costing $22.99 per month for 4K content and four concurrent streams. It also offers a cheaper, ad-supported tier for $6.99 per month, but with a limited library. Netflix is available on various devices, supports offline downloads and 4K/HDR streaming, and offers features like Screen Lock and parental controls. Its DVD mailing service ended in September 2023, as streaming is now the company's primary business.

Max's greatest strength lies in its extensive catalog of prestigious original shows from HBO, including critically acclaimed series like The Sopranos, The Wire, Succession, and Westworld. It has also acquired the streaming rights to popular shows like Friends, Rick and Morty, and South Park. Additionally, Max offers content from other Warner Discovery properties, such as CNN, Crunchyroll, DC Comics, and Looney Tunes.

In addition to its impressive TV lineup, Max boasts a vast collection of popular movies from Warner Bros., New Line Cinema, The Criterion Collection, and Studio Ghibli. It also includes reality shows from the Discovery universe, catering to a wide range of interests. Max offers a $15.99 per month plan, as well as a cheaper $9.99 ad-supported tier without access to certain features like 4K streaming and offline downloads. The service is available across various platforms, supports multiple profiles and simultaneous streams, and provides features like audio descriptions and offline viewing.

NBC's Peacock offers two paid plans: a Premium tier with 20,000 hours of content, some live sports, and clips-based channels; and a Premium Plus option that removes ads for on-demand titles. While some of NBC's biggest hits like Friends and Seinfeld are not available, Peacock features popular past and current NBC shows such as The Office, Parks and Recreation, Saturday Night Live, and This Is Us.

Peacock is an affordable option for quality content, slowly expanding its live sports offerings, including Sunday Night Football for paid users, Premier League soccer, IndyCar coverage, and WWE content. However, it no longer offers a free tier for new subscribers. While it doesn't support 4K streams, Peacock lets you stream on up to three devices per account, and Premium Plus users can download shows for offline viewing. The service is available on various platforms, including mobile devices, media streaming devices, and gaming consoles.

ESPN+ is a must-have for sports enthusiasts, offering thousands of live-streamed sports events, original sports TV content, talk shows, and premium sports journalism. As a separate service from ESPN's traditional networks, you don't need an expensive TV plan to access this content. With simultaneous streaming across three devices, the whole family can enjoy the subscription.

ESPN+ is particularly appealing to UFC fans, as it provides exclusive access to pay-per-view events. You can even watch on the go via the ESPN app. Although there is no free trial, the lack of a contract allows you to try out ESPN+ without being tied to an expensive package. While there are some negative customer reviews, if you're a passionate sports fan, ESPN+ is worth considering.