On-Demand Streaming Services
Review These Popular Options
Starting at $9.99/Month
The Basic option begins at $9.99 for unlimited standard-definition streaming on one device, followed by the Standard plan for $15.99 where high-definition viewing is available on two screens simultaneously. The Premium option costs $19.99 and allows four simultaneous streams in high-definition or 4K Ultra HD when available.
- Pros
- Great selection of original TV shows and movies
- Good recommendation system
- Easy-to-use interface
- Creates their own quality movies and TV shows
- No Advertisements
- No Annual Contract and No Hidden Fees
- Cons
- Titles come and go frequently
- No live TV or sports
- Only one simultaneous stream on the basic plan
- Devices
Firestick, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, Playstation, iOS, Windows, macOS, Android, Andriod TV, XBOX, LG, Samsung, VIZIO, Nintendo and Sony are compatible.
FAQ’s
Yes, parents can set up PIN-protected parental controls. This allows children to enjoy family-friendly TV shows and movies and restricts their access to mature content.
$4.99/Month
Apple TV+ is a subscription video streaming service known for its high quality/award winning original shows and movies. It’s also home to Friday Night Major League Baseball. Apple TV+ releases new content each month and it costs only $4.99 per month.
- Pros
- Allows simultaneous streaming for up to six devices
- Generous offline access policies
- Episodes and moves are ad-free
- No Annual Contract
- No Hidden Fees
- Economical
- Cons
- Not available on Android phone and Android tablet devices unless viewing from a web browser.
- Limited brand-new content
- No live TV
- Devices
Firestick, Apple TV, Roku, iOS, Windows, macOS, LG, Samsung, VIZIO and Sony are compatible.
FAQ’s
Yes, Apple TV+ probably has the most generous offline access policies compared to all other streaming services. Apple TV+ does not limit the number of downloads or the number of devices they download to. The only stipulation is the device needs to be subscribed to Apple ID.
Not only does Apple TV+ allow up to 6 different profiles for your family’s account (each with their own unique login) but also allows simultaneous streaming for up to six devices.
The parental controls on Apple TV+ are based on the rating of shows and movies. The service doesn’t allow playback of certain content based on how the users have set up their profiles related to the ratings (G, PG, PG-13, R) of shows and movies.
Apple TV+ is available if over 100 countries. Plus, you can still watch episodes and movies that have been previously downloaded onto your iPhone or iPad for subsequent viewing — without the need of an internet connection.
Starting at $6.99/Month
Hulu offers two options for their on demand services. The basic version is $6.99 per month (includes advertisements during programming) while their ad-free tier is $12.99 per month. Hulu’s on demand streaming library not only includes over 40,000 movies and TV shows, but it also offers next-day streaming of broadcast and cable shows — which is a big advantage over other on demand only services. Hulu also creates it’s own original series, movies, and documentaries.
- Pros
- Save money when bundled with Disney+ and ESPN+
- No Annual Contract
- No Hidden Fees
- Economical streaming option
- Cons
- Limited brand-new content
- Allows up to only two simultaneous streams
- No live TV or sports
- Devices
Firestick, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, PlayStation iOS, Windows, macOS, Android, Andriod TV, XBOX, LG, Samsung, VIZIO, Nintendo and Sony are compatible
FAQ’s
Hulu’s content has commercials in its Basic Plan ($6.99 per month) but also offers a “No Ads” Plan for just $12.99 per month.
Hulu’s simultaneous streaming limit is up to two devices. However, when subscribing to the “Unlimited Screens Add-On” (an addition $9.99 per month) you can stream an unlimited number of devices that are connected to your home network at the same time. If you’re on the go, (away from home network), the “Unlimited Screens Add-On” plan does limit you only three simultaneous streams on mobile devices.
Yes, if you subscribe to Hulu’s “The Disney Bundle” (includes Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN+) or the ESPN+ Add-on (includes Hulu and ESPN+) you can purchase and watch UFC PPV events on Hulu. You can watch pay-per-view events on two screens simultaneously.
$8.99/Month if not an Amazon Prime Member
Membership to Amazon Prime will cost you $14.99 per month or $139 per year, and on top of the shipping and shopping benefits, it includes full access to Amazon’s video streaming service. If you aren’t an Amazon Prime member but still want access to the streaming platform, it costs
$8.99/month. Additionally, you can rent or buy movies and shows that aren’t included in the main Prime Video service, as well as subscribe to over 100 premium channels for $4.99 to $14.99.
- Pros
- Original Prime Video content
- Included with Amazon Prime
- Can watch new movies for an extra fee.
- Rotation of prime movies is great.
- Cons
- Prime-eligible movies are usually older.
- Less of an “on-demand” feel with the interface
- No live TV or sports
- Devices
Firestick, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, Playstation, iOS, Windows, macOS, Android, Andriod TV, XBOX, LG, Samsung, VIZIO and Sony are compatible.
FAQ’s
If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you receive Amazon Prime Video as one of the various perks. You also receive free package delivery (two-day, one-day and same-day delivery options) along with shopping and reading benefits from the site. Subscribing to Amazon Prime costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year.
Yes. Prime Video is also a standalone streaming service. It’s only $8.99 per month if you’re not a Amazon Prime member.
Yes, although not all titles are eligible for downloading. Another caveat is that you can NOT download onto a laptop or PC. Downloads are only available on mobile devices like your smartphone or tablet.
No. Amazon Prime Video is an “on demand” streaming platform, meaning you can watch the content at anytime while online. So, in the case of your home TV, there’s no need to DVR the content.
$7.99/Month or $79.99 Annually
Disney+ is the streaming home of Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic. The service is ad-free (no commercials — YAY!!) and includes exclusive access to new original movies and series. The always-growing service is $7.99 per month or $79.99 annually. As Disney owns both the HULU and ESPN+ streaming services, there are additional bundling opportunities when also subscribing to these services.
- Pros
- Access to great Disney content
- Economical
- No Annual Contract
- No Hidden Fees
- Lots of great children’s content
- Save money when bundling with Hulu and ESPN+
- All content is ad-free
- Cons
- Not every Disney show is listed and available
- No live TV or sports
- Devices
Firestick, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, Playstation, iOS, Windows, macOS, Android, Andriod TV, XBOX, LG, Samsung, VIZIO and Sony are compatible.
FAQ’s
Starting at $4.99/Month
discovery+ is a subscription streaming video service that includes unlimited access to over 70,000 episodes of some of your favorite TV networks and TV shows. The channel lineup can change but can include shows like House Hunters, Chopped, Fixer Upper, Dirty Jobs, Gold Rush, Deadliest Catch, Property Brothers, Pawn Stars, American Pickers, Diners Drive-ins and Dives, Storage Wars, Ice Road Truckers and more.
- Pros
- Great option if you like to binge watch Food Network or HGTV
- Over 70,000 episodes of content
- Affordable plans
- Cons
- Shows are not aired until after they are first aired on cable TV and “live” TV streaming services
- The service is available only in the US and it’s territories and small number of foreign countries.
- No “live” TV option
- Devices
Firestick, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, XBOX, LG, Samsung, VIZIO and Sony are compatible.
FAQ’s
discovery+ is $4.99 per month but the content includes commercials. The “discovery+ (Ad-Free)” option is ad-free and costs $6.99 per month.
For more information on military discounts, click here.
discovery+ allows simultaneous streaming for up to four devices. It allows up to five different user profiles for your household’s account.
No, discovery+ does not have a parental controls setting on its streaming platform.
Starting at $9.99/Month
Launched in May 2020, HBO Max is a subscription streaming video service that’s owned by Warner Bros. HBO Max’s pricing options are $9.99 per month (includes advertisements) or the ad-free version at $14.99 per month. (Savings can be obtained when paying annually.) Discovery. It’s content (movies and series) is built around the libraries of HBO, Warner Bros, original content called “Max Originals,” plus content acquired through third party deals (BBC Studios and Sesame Workshop) and partnerships with other Warner Bros owned libraries such as Looney Tunes and DC Comics.
- Pros
- Get access to Friends, DC Comics content, the entire series of Harry Potter movies, and classic movies from TCM
- Get access to HBO originals such as The Sopranos and Game of Thrones
- PIN protected parental controls available for set up for each child in your household.
- No Annual Contract and No Hidden Fees
- Cons
- More expensive than other video on demand streaming options
- Downloading for offline viewing is only allowed to ad-free subscribers.
- Devices
Firestick, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, Playstation, iOS, Windows, macOS, Android, Andriod TV, XBOX, LG, Samsung, VIZIO and Sony are compatible.
FAQ’s
HBO Max allows simultaneous streaming for up to three devices. It allows up to five different user profiles for your household’s account.
Subscribing to HBO Max with commercials is $9.99 per month or $99.99 if prepaid annually. The ad-free version of HBO Max is $14.99 per month or $149.99 if prepaid annually.
The channel lineup can change but bonus series content include the full libraries of shows like Friends, The Big Bang Theory, South Park, Fresh Prince of Bel Air, The West Wing, Sex in the City, and Gossip Girl.
HBO is the traditional cable subscription available through a television provider. HBO Max is a streaming video on demand service that contains HBO content plus additional popular TV shows and movies.