The Best Streaming Services in 2024: Disney+, Hulu, Max and More

A funny thing happened as the #PeakTV era inched closer to its breaking point. Not-insignificant price hikes, coupled with the “disappearing” of favorite shows, has led consumers to rethink their subscriptions.

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But how are consumers meant to wade through all the muddy streaming waters by themselves? They aren’t! Here at TVLine, we can help you sift through the top streamers to decide which is the best paid streaming service for you.

TOP STREAMING SERVICE OVERALL

Netflix

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Buy Now $6.99/month

BEST STREAMING SERVICE FOR LIVE TV

Sling TV

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Buy Now $20/month

BEST STREAMING SERVICE FOR SPORTS

Hulu + Live TV

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Buy Now $76.99/month

BEST BUDGET STREAMING SERVICE

Hulu

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Buy Now $7.99/month

Best Streaming SErvice for FAMILIES

Disney+

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Buy Now $7.99/month

BEST STREAMING SERVICE BUNDLE

Prime Video

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Buy Now $14.99/month

BEST STREAMING SERVICE FOR REALITY TV

Peacock

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Buy Now $5.99/month

BEST STREAMING SERVICE FOR PREMIUM CONTENT

Max

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Buy Now $9.99/month

BEST STREAMING SERVICE FOR CBS FANS

Paramount+

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Buy Now $5.99/month

BEST STREAMING SERVICE FOR STAR GAZING

Apple TV+

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Buy Now $9.99/month

Best Streaming service for ANime

Crunchyroll

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Buy Now $7.99/month

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For us, Netflix remains the top streaming service overall. In order to chat with strangers at parties, understand Internet memes and learn the importance of golden goblets, you must subscribe to the streamer. It is culturally significant, churns out high-quality series across multiple genres and is home to a seemingly endless library that can fill Saturday nights until the end of time.

But in a world with so many streaming options, you may want to sign up for other platforms to supplement your Netflix subscription. And don’t be overwhelmed. The opportunity to subscribe to multiple streaming TV services — including Hulu, Disney Plus, Max, Peacock and more — just means that you won’t have to pay for a service that you don’t like! You can create your own TV landscape and continuously customize your media consumption.

So keep scrolling to find out the best streaming services for sports, anime, family-friendly viewing and more.

TOP STREAMING SERVICE OVERALL

Netflix

$6.99/month Buy Now

BEST FOR: Users looking to get a wide variety of original programming, plus a huge, bingeable TV and movie streaming library
WHY WE PICKED IT: While Netflix leads in subscriber count and time spent, it’s our top overall streamer because of its reliably bingeworthy original content across a variety of genres. In 2023, three original series landed on our Best Shows of the Year list: One Piece, The Fall of the House of Usher and BEEF. Not to mention, the platform is home to other original series we can’t stop talking about, like Love Is Blind, Bridgerton, Selling Sunset, Virgin River, The Night Agent and more. From a technical standpoint, the app is easy to use, offers customized recommendations based on your preferences, and allows users to download titles for on-the-go viewing. Plus, it’s not just a top TV streaming platform, it’s also one of the best movie streaming sites out there. Of course, we didn’t love when the streaming giant started cracking down on password sharing, but still, for Team TVLine, Netflix is a no-brainer.

Pros

• No commitments

• High-quality original content

• Easy-to-use interface

• Targeted recommendations

• Huge content library

Cons

• Ad-free version is expensive

• Ad-supported version doesn’t offer complete library

• $7.99 fee for extra members

• No free trial

BEST STREAMING SERVICE FOR LIVE TV

Sling TV

On Sale 50% off

$20/month Buy Now

BEST FOR: Users hoping to replace cable and stream live TV at a reasonable price
WHY WE PICKED IT: Sling is one of the most affordable and customizable live-TV streaming services. It’s easy to use, requires no commitment and even offers local channels. We love Sling as a replacement for cable, but it’s also great for streaming one-time live-TV events, such as sports and awards, because it’s so affordable and can be cancelled anytime. Another unique perk from the streamer is Sling Freestream, which grants users access to tons of shows and movies for free. The only downside? Sling doesn’t offer CBS. So if you’re a fan of hits like Young Sheldon, NCIS and more, this probably isn’t the best streaming service for you. Or, consider supplementing your Sling subscription with Paramount Plus for full CBS coverage!

Pros

• Super affordable

• Customizable

• Variety of plans and add-ons

• Local channel offerings

• No commitments

• Frequent discounts/sales

• Free streaming option

Cons

• No CBS

• No free trial

BEST STREAMING SERVICE FOR SPORTS

Hulu + Live TV

$76.99/month Buy Now

BEST FOR: Sports fanatics looking for the best TV streaming service for watching live sports
WHY WE PICKED IT: There are tons of live-TV streaming services out there, all of which could cater to sports fans. Hulu + Live TV, however, sets itself apart by offering an ESPN Plus subscription in addition to its live-TV channel offerings. This means, subscribers not only get to watch some of the best streaming channels for sports like ESPN, CBS Sports Networks, FS1, Golf Channel, the NFL Network and NBC Sports Network, but you can also see exclusive content thanks to ESPN Plus, including live games, classic archived games, studio shows and documentaries. Keep in mind, some sports channels are not included, like NBA TV and the MLB Network. Overall, however, this live-TV streaming service offers a comprehensive channel list and gets you the most sports coverage for the price. Another perk? You’ll get access to Disney+ and Hulu streaming libraries, to watch some of our favorite shows of 2023 including The Bear, The Great and Reservation Dogs.

Pros

• Exclusive content from ESPN Plus, Hulu and Disney Plus

• Huge channel lineup

• High-quality original content

• Customizable with entertainment add-ons for Max, Showtime, Starz and more

• Offers local channels in select markets

• Add-on available to stream live TV on more devices

• Sports add-on for even more sports coverage

Cons

• Missing some sports networks

• Base plan includes ads while streaming library content

• Base plan doesn’t allow downloading for on-the-go viewing

• No free trial

BEST BUDGET STREAMING SERVICE

Hulu

$7.99/month Buy Now

BEST FOR: People who want to watch high-quality original TV shows without spending an arm or a leg
WHY WE PICKED IT: Hulu’s ad-supported plan is less than $8/month and the streamer offers high-quality original content like The Bear, Reservation Dogs, Only Murders in the Building and more! Plus, Hulu users can stream ABC, Fox and FX shows the day after they air, meaning you’ll have access to new episodes of Abbott Elementary, The Conners, The Masked Singer and more. We know that the price for subscription streaming services can add up, so Hulu is a great supplement to a Netflix subscription if you’re looking to expand your TV show horizons without paying a premium price. And the deal is even sweeter for students, with student subscriptions ringing in at just $1.99/month.

Pros

• Great price

• High-quality original content

• Offers a student discount

• Next-day new episodes from ABC, Fox and FX

• Option to bundle

• Customizable with entertainment add-ons like Max, Paramount Plus and more

Cons

• User interface isn’t as sleek as other streamers

• Library content less comprehensive than competitors

• Ad-free version is pricey

Best Streaming SErvice for FAMILIES

Disney+

$7.99/month Buy Now

BEST FOR: Families looking for kid-friendly content, plus titles grown-ups will love
WHY WE PICKED IT: Disney Plus is a no-brainer when it comes to family-friendly streaming. But what’s surprising about this streamer is it’s also home to tons of Marvel, Star Wars and other programming that adults will want to binge without their kids. The app is easy to use, helping parents easily find and select shows appropriate for children of all ages, from Bluey to Marvel’s Moongirl and Devil Dinosaur. Plus, we know families aren’t a monolith, so we love that you can bundle and customize your Disney Plus streaming subscription so it can best fit your family’s specific TV needs.

Pros

• Huge library of kid-friendly content

• High-quality family-friendly original content

• Ability to customize and bundle

Cons

• Not a ton of new, buzzworthy children’s shows

• Ad-free bundles can get pricey

BEST STREAMING SERVICE BUNDLE

Prime Video

$14.99/month Buy Now

BEST FOR: TV fans searching for a single service that combines most streaming services
WHY WE PICKED IT: Prime Video is just one perk of an Amazon Prime Membership. With Prime, you can unlock Prime Video’s original content in addition to exclusive discounts, Prime Day deals, and options for fast and free delivery. But the biggest reason we love Prime Video is you can add nearly all other streaming platforms to your account for an additional monthly fee. This means, instead of downloading tons of apps to your TV and navigating between them, you can click Prime Video and seamlessly switch between content from other streaming platforms to get a better understanding of what you have access to. Some major TV channels and streamers you can add to your Prime Video account include Max, Paramount Plus, BET Plus, Shudder, Starz and more. If you prefer not to get the Prime Membership bundle, you can subscribe just to Prime Video for $8.99/month.

Pros

• Amazon Prime benefits!

• Ability to customize and bundle

• Easy-to-use and seamless interface

• Ability to rent or buy movies

• Discounted standalone Prime Video subscription

• X-ray feature offers bonus content and information about the cast and soundtrack while you watch

Cons

• Can’t add Peacock, Disney Plus, Netflix or Hulu

• Cost increases for ad-free streaming

BEST STREAMING SERVICE FOR REALITY TV

Peacock

$5.99/month Buy Now

BEST FOR: Reality-TV fanatics — specifically the Bravo-obsessed!
WHY WE PICKED IT: While Peacock doesn’t offer as many high-quality, scripted series as other TV streamers on this list, it is home to all things Bravo — including exclusive uncensored reunions. This is a cheap streaming platform, though, with a high-quality viewing experience for popular reality series like the Real Housewives franchise, The Traitors, Vanderpump Rules, Below Deck, Southern Charm, Summer House and more. Another special perk? In 2023, it offered exclusive access to BravoCon coverage. Plus, the premium plan gives you access to NBC, so you can stream Saturday Night Live, Sunday Night Football and more live.

Pros

• Uncensored Bravo reunions

• Complete Bravo library

• Exclusive access to BravoCon

• Access to live NBC with premium plan

• NBC streaming library includes shows like ‘The Office,’ ‘Parks and Recreation,’ #OneChicago and more

Cons

• Less high-quality scripted content

• Movies come and go without warning

• No free trial

BEST STREAMING SERVICE FOR PREMIUM CONTENT

Max

$9.99/month Buy Now

$9.99/month Buy Now ON PRIME VIDEO

BEST FOR: TV watchers who appreciate the prestige of HBO
WHY WE PICKED IT: Max is the place for prestige TV. With its streaming library of iconic HBO shows including The Sopranos, The Wire, Game of Thrones, Girls and Sex and the City, paired with its more current HBO offerings, like Succession, The Last of Us, House of the Dragon and The White Lotus, Max is an obvious top pick for streaming premium content. But, beware: the clumsy rebrand into “HBO Max” has situated all that high-end content in with unscripted fare from Discovery and TLC, diluting the brand and user experience. Also, in the last year, Max hasn’t really produced any major original series, instead relying heavily on the power of HBO.

Pros

• Home to all the HBO greats

• Huge catalog of non-HBO shows, including ‘Friends,’ ‘Big Bang Theory,’ ‘Abbott Elementary’ and more

• Option to customize with an add-on to access live sports

• Sleek user interface

• Option for parental control

Cons

• Reality show clutter

• Fewer original series than competitors

• No free trial

• Ad-free versions get pricey

BEST STREAMING SERVICE FOR CBS FANS

Paramount+

$5.99/month Buy Now

$5.99/month Buy Now ON PRIME VIDEO

BEST FOR: Fans of CBS series including Young Sheldon, Survivor, Ghosts, the NCIS and FBI franchises and more
WHY WE PICKED IT: We know that many CBS shows have cult followings — it’s not called “America’s Most-Watched Network” for nothing — so we had to include Paramount Plus for our CBS superfans. Plus, if you subscribe to a live-TV streaming service that doesn’t include CBS, such as Sling, this streamer is an affordable supplement. Paramount Plus also churns out a decent amount of original content, especially in the Star Trek and Taylor Sheridan universes (though no Yellowstone proper). If you subscribe to the premium plan with Showtime, you can access your local live CBS station, including NFL on CBS and your favorite series. Plus, as more and more streaming platforms nix free trials, this streamer often offers promo codes to upgrade from the standard seven-day free trial to an extended 30-day Paramount Plus free trial, making it an easy subscription to try before you buy.

Pros

• Full CBS access

• Live NFL games

• Nostalgic library titles like ‘Cheers’ and the original ‘Frasier’

• High-quality original series

• Access to Showtime

• Free trial

Cons

• Less buzzworthy original content

• Fewer blockbuster movie titles compared to competitors

BEST STREAMING SERVICE FOR STAR GAZING

Apple TV+

$9.99/month Buy Now

BEST FOR: Pop culture aficionados who want to watch as many A-listers as possible against a cinematic background
WHY WE PICKED IT: Realistically, Apple TV Plus doesn’t have as many “hit” shows as its competitors. It does, however, have a few extremely well-made and acclaimed series, plus tons of lesser known series with huge stars. It’s worth subscribing to for access to Ted Lasso, The Morning Show, Shrinking, Silo, Hijack, and of course, Severance. Other series starring big talent include Lessons in Chemistry (with Brie Larson), Palm Royale (Kristen Wiig, Allison Janey and Carol Burnett), The New Look (Ben Mendelsohn, Juliette Binoche and Maisie Williams), The Crowded Room (starring Tom Holland) and more. It’s stars galore at Apple TV Plus, and many of its shows have a cinematic quality with impressive visuals, making it one of the best streaming services out there despite its smaller cultural footprint.

Pros

• A-list talent

• Original series feature stunning visuals

• Relatively low price

• No ads

• Free trial

• Ability to stream simultaneously on 6 (!) devices

Cons

• Lacks older library titles

• Limited Android compatability

Best Streaming service for ANime

Crunchyroll

$7.99/month Buy Now

$7.99/month Buy Now on PRIME VIDEO

BEST FOR: Anime superfans
WHY WE PICKED IT: Crunchyroll is home to all things anime. It offers tons of anime series, a unique arcade interface to take your fandom to the next level, and a large merchandise shop. If anime is your jam, you need to subscribe to Crunchyroll, because in our opinion, no other TV streamer can even compete with the offerings on this streaming platform. Now, if you enjoy a variety of genres, this might not be the streamer for you as its sole focus is anime. If you are interested in anime but are reluctant to add another streaming subscription to your life, try adding it through Prime Video to save the hassle of an extra app.

Pros

• Massive anime library

• Arcade interface for gaming

• Merchandise storefront for shopping

• The Ultimate Fan Plan allows concurrent streaming on 6 devices

• Free trial

Cons

• The platform isn’t as intuitive or as streamlined as other streamers

• Limited subtitle offerings

• Cheapest subscription only allows streaming on one device

Other Options to Consider

There are many platforms that didn’t make our list of the best TV streaming services in 2024. While there is something to love in every streamer, we ultimately evaluated streaming services based on their cultural importance, bingeworthy and buzzworthy original content, the expansiveness of their streaming libraries and, of course, price.

That being said, if you still haven’t found the best streaming platform for you, we’re outlining other options to consider below.

Starz

On Sale 70% off

$3/month Buy Now

$9.99/month Buy Now ON PRIME VIDEO

Starz is an affordable streaming platform with frequent limited-time deals and discounts, but without a huge roster of successful original content, we don’t think it’s an absolute must. Plus, five seasons of its most popular original series, Outlander, are now available to stream on Netflix.

BritBox

$8.99/month Buy Now

$8.99/month Buy Now ON PRIME VIDEO

BritBox is a bit too niche to be considered a top streaming platform, though it is a great alternative to TV viewers who don’t want to sign up for a VPN but want to access content from “across the pond.”

DirecTV Stream

$79.99/month Buy Now

DirecTV Stream isn’t as appealing as Hulu + Live TV, and isn’t as affordable as Sling. If you want a near-total cable replacement, this could be for you. We find, however, that people subscribe to so many streamers like Netflix and Peacock, and if they want a live-TV streaming service it’s usually for a specific event or channel which can be found for less over at Sling. And if you do want a streaming service for the long-term, you get more bang for your buck with the Hulu live-TV subscription.

Curiosity Stream

$4.99/month Buy Now

If you’re in the market for educational programming, Curiosity Stream is a great option. It doesn’t, however, have a large enough cultural footprint to be considered a must-have.

BET+

$5.99/month Buy Now

$9.99/month Buy Now ON PRIME VIDEO

BET+ celebrates Black culture with big names like Martin Lawrence, Tami Roman and Tyler Perry. Some notable series include Sistas, The Black Hamptons and Zatima. This is one of those streamers that you might sign up for to watch one series you love and then cancel it once the season ends. Because of its limited library content, we didn’t name it one of the best streaming services — but there is still much to love here.

Shudder

$5.99/month Buy Now

$6.99/month Buy Now ON PRIME VIDEO

Shudder is certainly the best streaming service every October, but throughout the year interest in its extensive horror library isn’t as strong. If you’re a horror superfan looking for year-round spooky content, this is the best streaming option for you.

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Factors to Consider When Signing Up for a Streaming Service

Sometimes it’s overwhelming to choose which is the best TV streaming service for you, even after the field has been narrowed. Here are a few things to look for when deciding which streaming services to subscribe to:

• Concurrent Streams: Check how many devices can simultaneously stream the service. It might be limiting for a larger household if a platform only allows streaming on one device at a time. The more people you anticipate watching the streaming service at once, the more concurrent streams you should look for. Often, the amount of concurrent streaming devices available increases from basic to premium streaming tiers.

• Downloadable Content: Check if you’re able to download titles for on-the-go viewing. Sometimes this feature is only available in premium subscriptions. If you’re someone who is often traveling by plane or car and wants to keep entertainment at your fingertips, it’s important to be able to download shows and movies.

• Free Trial: Make sure you understand the free trial period of any given streaming service before signing up. Also, make sure to set an alert for when the trial ends to avoid paying for an unwanted subscription!

• Library Content: Choose which shows or genres you’re most interested in and search for those within the various streaming platforms. Streaming libraries can change and shift, so be sure you have an up-to-date understanding on a platform’s library before signing up.

• Local Channels: Always double, triple, quadruple check which local channels are available in your area when signing up for a live-TV streaming service. Just because a service says it offers ABC, for example, does not mean your location is included in the coverage area for that channel.

(If you sign up for a service through our links, TVLine may earn a commission.)

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