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.
(If you sign up for a service through our links, TVLine may earn a commission.)
I have had Hulu Live TV + since it was first offered, but somehow it was converted into a bundle with Disney+ and ESPN+. I’ve called customer service several times to lose the bundle and just keep Hulu Live TV so I can access my local channels plus the ones in the Hulu package and was told that it can’t be done. Seriously? Why do I have to pay for Disney+ and ESPN when I never watch them? One customer service rep hinted that I could cancel everything and then create a new account just for Hulu Live TV, but that seems like an awfully impractical way to do it.
My sister and I share the load for all of these streaming services. We have all but Showtime and that’s because I don’t want to lose the Paramount deal that is no longer offered. I just hope they stop are continue to merge so I don’t have so many apps. I’m not putting out any more money. I’ll just watch whatever is on tv if they start raising prices.
Discovery+ is the one I watch most.
I used to subscribe to AMC+. But they got greedy. After paying the monthly charge you then have to pay an additional charge to watch each episode.
KODI never pay for anything…
Tubi also has a basement full of old TV movies that Lifetime doesn’t even air anymore. The ones that originally aired on the big four, then Lifetime would re air them. Lifetime no longer airs any TV movie from the ’80s, ’90s or early ’00s. Not one. Peacock was once free with Comcast, now that’s ending. We still have cable, so I only pay for Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video (we all know this is included in your Prime subscription) Disney+ & HBO Max. The last one because we downgraded the cable package.
I only have YouTube TV and I like it; still cheaper than cable. I bought Paramount + for 1883 and it was worth it. Dropped it , but will resubscribe when I can binge 1923 and final season of Picard. When there’s nothing on TV, I watch YouTube. You can find almost any topic/genre. I love disaster movies/documentaries. I did a search and found 10 channels/creators covering about any type of disaster you can imagine.
It’s more than tutorials and it’s free.
About to cancel Netflix which is more reality trash than watchable shows. Canceled HBO Max as a result of the recent cancelations. Only have Hulu because a “come back to us” deal let me pay $24 for the year, but after that is good-bye.
Starz and Paramount + I go month to month only when there are new seasons of Outland or Seal Team, respectively.
Seriously considering pulling the plug on Disney +.
Apple is the only one that is reliably providing new content and has multiple upcoming shows I am interested in.
I’ve had Netflix since getting it free for Longmire. Still subscribed to the Basic no-ads plan. Love Paramount+ plus showtime and all shows Taylor Sheridan and CBS shows. Enjoy AppleTV+ since it first came out. Had it free for 2years. It’s now part of my Apple One package. I’m happy with these services.
This is a very helpful list. I’m getting useful tips on how to avoid paying full price for some of these services.
Seeing the comments here about Netflix has me wondering why we still have it once we finished The Crown and Bridgerton. Force of habit maybe. We have been subscribers since its inception with the little red bags with DVDs arriving every week in your mailbox.
You should add Outlander to the list of Starz original programming. We subscribe for the time it’s airing then cancel immediately.
Prime (already had it before streaming was a thing), Hulu (free from where I bought my smart phone), Netflix and Shudder.
Everything else I buy when on sale. I had Disney+ for a year. I did not watch it enough. My sister got Disney+ so she could watch Hamilton on a daily basis. lol.
I have Disney+, Hulu, Paramount+ free. I will not be paying for a subscription once free period is over.
Except for Murder in the Building on Hulu which I have already watched, there’s nothing of interest.
I have only watched 3 movies on Disney+
Paramount+ allowed me to watch the Star Trek Discovery & Picard series. Star Trek Discovery I enjoyed; Picard was however a bore.
Given that I have already watched what I wanted to, I don’t see the value of streaming services.
Not a word about Viaplay?
I recently signed up for Netflix because I wanted to watch the seasons of Charmed and I’m liking that show. I also use Paramont+ to watch Blue Bloods since I started binging it last year. Prime Video I use since I signed up for Prime but I usually don’t watch much on there although they have recent films there. I also signed up for Lifetime Movie Club through it to be able to watch Lifetime films since my TV plan doesn’t come with the Lifetime network.
Same! I got hooked on Charmed and I knew going into it that the CW had canceled it. However I left off on the last season because I had to cancel Netflix due to not watching enough content. However, I was able to buy all 4 seasons for 19.99 on VUDU and I’m satisfied with that.
I have most of the mainstream services, excluding Paramount+. Most of these services I have cheap deals on via special sales (Hulu/Disney/Peacock) or ‘free’ via T-mobile (Appletv/Netflix) or share with my brother (Amazon/MAX). So, I don’t pay that much for all of them. Paramount obviously is last for me, with Max holding up the rear. (If Paramount/Peacock merge that takes care of that.) Max might hold on if it continues to expand with the new sports bundle. Disney is next near the bottom. (Only Marvel saves it.) Hulu/Netflix/Amazon/Peacock/Appletv are my essentials. That costs me about $15 a month. (Not factoring cost of phone plan) Even just those 5 options are still WAY more content than I can ever watch. (Netflix, or Hulu, or Amazon, ALONE is more than I can ever watch!!!) A La Carte is fun, but it takes a lot of management!!
Don’t forget the digital antenna option! For around $30, you can pick one up and get close to 100 channels (depending on your area) for free! All your local stations, plus dozens of sub-channels scratching your itch for classic TV, game shows, movies and even music. I splurged and picked up a device that lets me record off of my antenna as well!
Where is the ad warning on this? Clearly a sponsored content, putting in front the ones that paid more.
no mention of 4K content or 4K access on different tiers.
I forgot to mention in my previous comment, I do hope you consider writing an article on free streaming services.
Right now, one of my favorites is Tubi, which offers the original FBI series, which ran from 1964 – 1975. That is a lot of free content to watch without having to watch the same old repeats of other programming over and over again.
It is too bad that Cozi (digital sub-channel) isn’t offered as a streaming service. I like watching the old Mystery Wheel content that used to air on NBC in the early to late seventies.
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It is important to note that Netflix will increase their prices again in the near future. They told their shareholders that would be the case and justified it by saying that it was due to content. However they haven’t given a date as to when that will happen. I haven’t gone back ever since they got rid of the Basic plan. I cannot justify paying that much just for 1 streaming service AND their ad version doesn’t allow you to watch all of what they have to offer due to licensing restrictions. The streaming services I have I use either because I signed up during a deal, (I signed up for Max during their Black Friday sale), because I get it free, or I sign up for a free trial solely to watch something and cancel before they charge.
Amazon is beyond greedy now adding ads to their stuff when before they didn’t have that and if I were to pay for just PV and include the ad-free charge, it would be too much. I have to be smart with my money because these companies want to charge but lack when it comes to treating their subscribers properly like they deserve.
Seriously, no YouTubeTV on the list? Why?
No chart to compare side by side? Sheesh. Bring your A game next time.
Why do you not include Youtubetv?