There are several streaming services available in 2020 - and the list seems to grow with every passing season as virtually every entertainment company around the world is trying to get in on the trend. Over the years, streaming services have come to match (and, in some cases, surpass) the output and quality of cable and premium networks. So it's no wonder that those services have become a core part of everyday life.
2019 was a milestone year for the industry, showing that 62% of adults in the United States subscribe to at least one of the platforms available (via Statista). Not only is the monthly fee cheaper for streaming services, but they are constantly updating their catalog of movies and television shows to keep subscribers interested as well.
There’s a simplicity to streaming services that makes them attractive, not to mention they are highly accessible. Someone can log on through a smart TV, on a computer, and even on a smartphone, with an almost limitless archive of movies and shows to binge watch. Now that streaming has skyrocketed in popularity, here is everything you need to know about the top players set for 2020.
Netflix
Netflix paved the road for streaming services today, evolving with the times to stay current. It offers movies and television shows from around the globe and gives recommendations based off of what subscribers like to watch. They’ve also started branching out with their own production company, creating Netflix Originals that contend with any box office hit. They have three different streaming packages to choose from, depending on how many screens you want to watch from, ranging from $8.99 to $15.99 per month.
Hulu
Hulu is the go-to streaming service for those who want to watch series on TV right now, without having to pay the cable TV prices. Unlike other platforms, they offer bundled packages, which will give you access to other streaming services like the new Disney+ and ESPN+. Hulu offers four main subscription plans based on ads and a live TV option, ranging from from $5.99 to $60.99 per month.
Amazon Prime Video
In the last decade, Amazon has become a virtual mall, connecting consumers to virtually anything they could think of. Prime Video has quickly taken its place among the other heavy hitters of streaming services. With an Amazon Prime membership, subscribers can watch a vast library of movie and TV titles from around the world. Unlike the other services, people can still rent or buy a movie or show, even without a subscription. Amazon has also started their own Original category with titles only available to the service. Subscriptions are either $12.99 per month or $119 per year.
Disney+
Disney+ is one of the newest streaming services available and has already been making waves in the industry. Whether you’re a fan of the classic Disney movies, or want to some of the more recent additions to the roster like The Mandalorian, there is always something to watch. Subscribers also able to bundle this service with Hulu and ESPN+. Disney+ costs $12.99 per month with the bundle or $6.99 per month alone.
YouTube Premium
Before streaming services took off, YouTube used to be the place to go to watch videos. To keep up with the market, they have released their own service, YouTube Premium, that provides ad-free content in collaboration with the sites creators. One of their biggest selling points if offering uninterrupted play, allowing you to open another app and still listen to what’s playing on the YouTube app. This service goes for $11.99 per month.
Peacock
NBC has decided to join the world of streaming services, offering movies, TV shows, and original content starting July 15. The main selling point for Peacock is that anyone will be able to use the service, with or without a subscription. However those paying for the service either through a TV provider or on its own will get access to content that others will not. Subscription plans are either $4.99 per month with ads or $9.99 per month without ads.
ESPN+
While many streaming services are dedicated to television series and movies, ESPN+ is for the sports lovers. People are able to watch live showings of almost anything, like hockey, basketball, and UFC fights. The app also gives access to news, podcasts, and scores. A subscription will cost $5 per month or $50 per year.
CBS All Access
Like other cable channels, CBS has its own streaming service. They show content from the CBS library as well as original streaming-only shows like Star Trek: Discovery. As a way to reach a younger demographic, last year they announced they would start including more shows from Nickelodeon. CBS All Access costs $5.99 per month with ads or $9.99 per month without ads.
HBO Max
When HBO Max arrives this spring, it boasts it will have over 10,000 hours of streaming content and that it will pick up shows leaving other platforms, such as Friends. The new service plans on having a library of HBO classics as well as streaming-only originals. A subscription will cost $14.99 per month.
Showtime
Streaming with Showtime lets you watch all of their content ad-free. You can pick from live shows to what’s on demand, as well as download things to watch later on. A subscription for this service costs $11 per month.
Starz
Starz is another streaming service with a huge catalog to choose from. Audiences can watch anything from TV and movies to behind-the-scenes content, all for $8.99 per month.
Apple TV+
Apple TV+ offers an interesting library of scripted content like See and Dickinson. While they’re not as large as other streaming giants, they’re bound to grow in the coming years. Subscriptions come at $4.99 per month.
Quibi
Quibi is a service that streams short videos (10 minutes max) exclusively to smartphones. It comes in April and will cost $5 per month with ads and $8 per month without ads.
DC Universe
DC Universe is a streaming service specifically targeted to fans of DC Comics. It offers classic shows and movies from the past as well as new content like Titans and Doom Patrol for $7.99 per month or $74.99 per year.
Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll offers anime and manga content with broadcasts as soon as one hour after they air in Japan. Subscribers can watch ad-free for $6.95 per month.
Acorn TV
Acorn TV provides an array of popular British television shows for $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year.
Britbox
Another popular streaming service for British television, Britbox costs $6.99 per month.
The Criterion Channel
Fans of classic cinema and foreign films can get the Criterion Channel streaming service for $10.99 per month or $99.99 per year.
Shudder
Shudder is a popular streaming platform for fans of horror, priced at $4.99 per month.
Mubi
Mubi offers a daily, rotating collection of artistic films for $10.99 per month.
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With more companies jumping on the streaming service band wagon, the entire industry is starting to look a lot like cable television, with the benefit of instant gratification. Paying for a couple of streaming services is still cheaper than paying a monthly cable bill, but with some platforms offering the option to bundle with other services, things start to get tricky and a lot more expensive. Considering how far streaming has come in the last decade, it will be interesting to see where this new decade takes it.