These days, it seems like everyone has a subscription to Netflix and Prime Video, and probably even Disney+ and Hulu. There are a few key ingredients to making a streaming platform successful - the most obvious being a library of great content. Other key ingredients include price, original programming, and ease of access.
Of course, there are other smaller subscription services that aren't nearly as popular as Netflix, Prime, and the other heavy hitters - but that doesn't mean they're not worthwhile. Many smaller streaming platforms have tons of great content just waiting to be discovered.
Updated on December 21st, 2021, by Keith Langston: As the streaming industry continues to boom, streaming services that were once small are no longer small, and numerous new streamers have entered the market. It's quite possible that the future of television will be a streaming-centric industry, as every studio and network clamors to launch their own service, locking in their library of content.
Crave
Unfortunately for those in Canada, Canadian broadcasting rights have completely messed with streaming services and their respective libraries. Netflix offers altered content compared to its American counterpart, and there is no Hulu or HBO Max to speak of.
Fortunately, Crave is there to pick up the digital pieces. Crave comes in two options - a barebones version for $10, and "Crave + HBO" that offers all HBO content (including HBO Max originals) and popular new films for an extra $10. It's a little pricey, but Crave's library is arguably the best of the Canadian streamers.
Shudder
For horror lovers, Shudder is an absolute must. The streamer is centered on horror, thriller, and suspense, and it comes at the relatively cheap price of $5 a month. It has a large library of horror films, as well as Shudder's own original movies and exclusive releases.
The streaming service has also dived into original series as well, with shows like Creepshow and Cursed Films gaining critical praise and becoming subscriber favorites.
BET+
First launched in 2019, BET+ is the premium streaming offshoot of the BET network. The streamer was developed in a partnership with Tyler Perry Studios and has since released notable programming such as Tyler Perry's Ruthless, which is a spinoff of his popular BET drama, The Oval, as well as The First Wives Club, starring Jill Scott, which is inspired by the famous 1996 film.
As a Viacom network, BET content is available on Paramount+, but BET+ originals are available exclusively on the stand-alone streamer. Since its launch, BET+ has gained more than 1.5 million subscribers.
AMC+
AMC is known for its high-quality Emmy-winning series like Mad Men, Breaking Bad, and The Walking Dead, as well as co-productions with UK series like Killing Eve and more. What many people don't know, however, is that AMC is also the owner of the horror streamer Shudder, as well as the Sundance Channel, IFC, and more.
Now, the network has launched AMC+ as the streaming hub for all of its content. The streamer, which officially launched in the summer of 2020, includes series and movies from AMC, Shudder, Sundance, and IFC, as well as exclusive AMC+ original movies and TV series. However, despite the large library, the streamer hasn't been able to find an audience yet, with only a few million subscribers.
Peacock
Launched nationwide in July of 2020, Peacock is one of the newer services in the streaming business. Owned by NBCUniversal, Peacock has already gained over 54 million users according to Hollywood Reporter. However, almost all of those are using the service's free tier, which doesn't provide access to any exclusive content. In reality, according to CNBC, less than 10 million users are actually paying for Peacock (with certain sources citing numbers lower than 5 million).
This is a shame because Peacock actually has some great original programming like Dr. Death and Tina Fey's hilarious comedy Girls5Eva. On top of that, Peacock also has a wide range of movie content, including being the exclusive streaming home of Halloween Kills.
Curiosity Stream
For fans of documentaries and interesting factoids, Curiosity Stream is an excellent choice (and at just $20 a year, a cheap one too). The streamer has brought together a wide range of personalities to showcase tons of unique docuseries, lifestyle shows, and tutorials.
From David Attenborough discussing nature to Mo Rocca making technology fun, there's an endless array of smart and entertaining series and movies to watch on Curiosity Stream.
Sling TV
Sling TV is the main competitor to the much bigger YouTube TV, offering cable channels and video-on-demand services to those who have cut the cord. It comes in two forms. The first is Sling Orange, offering sports content like ESPN. The other is Sling Blue, offering traditional television channels like Syfy and Discovery.
Both are $35, or customers can package both for $50. It's not quite as good as YouTube TV, but it's also significantly cheaper, offering a decent selection of television content for cable-less households.
Crackle
When it comes to free streaming services, it's hard to beat Crackle. Oddly enough, Crackle is owned by Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment but was owned by SONY beforehand, making a good chunk of its library SONY films and television shows.
Crackle is loaded with tons of great horror movies, as well as many popular action films and comedies. In recent years, Crackle has even begun creating its own original programming, including the crime drama The Oath and the sci-fi series Trenches.
FuboTV
FuboTV is becoming increasingly popular, closing 2020 with $100 million in quarterly revenue according to Deadline and over 500,000 paying subscribers. It's another competitor to YouTube TV and Sling TV, offering television channels for cord-cutters.
Its most substantial offering is live sports, offering subscribers access to live football, baseball, basketball, hockey, and soccer games. It's also quite easy to access, being available through most smart TVs, Roku, Apple TV, and Xbox One/Xbox Series X and S.
ScreamBox
For diehard horror fans, one horror-centric streaming service might not be enough. Luckily, Shudder isn't the horror option - there's also ScreamBox. The streamer, which is made in partnership with famed horror site Bloody Disgusting, currently costs $4.99 a month and is filled with niche horror.
The library is comprised of thousands of older films, arthouse horror, experimental films, and genre content that's perfect for horror fans who are looking to discover scary movies that are very much off the beaten path.