The film and television industry have extensively used digital downloads and DVD marketing to promote their products to a wider audience even after the end of theatrical releases. However, in the past two decades, content streaming services have evolved this business by allowing users to access a huge library of Movies and TV shows to choose from.
Earlier deemed as a mere attempt of competing against the traditional cable TV services and the DVD market, the streaming services have now formed industry of their own. Not just this but video streaming companies have almost replaced DVD and Cable TV operators, thus becoming top players in offering home-based entertainment.
However, as streaming services become popular it has become a competitive business due to emergence of new companies that left users with multiple but confusing choices.
In this article, we compare the top-notch streaming content services and entertainment providers to help you choose the best, as per your preferences.
Content Streaming Services: The Market
Streaming services differ not just in terms of price, but also in terms of content availability, device flexibility, content genre, and targeted audience. The spread of internet connectivity has also led local players of respective nations to compete with international providers, streaming content specifically for local audiences. This has led to the creation of a web, where all players intend to lure people towards the entertainment content they provide. Since every viewer has a different perception towards films and television productions, it can become confusing for you to pick a suitable one.
So, Let’s see which content service would serve best for your interests.
Comparing The Top Video Streaming Services
Let’s have a look at how these prominent competitors are doing against each other:
Download The Chart
Copyright © WeTheGeek
-Hulu also runs an embedded Live TV service, offering live streaming of content from 50+ cable TV networks.
-HBO Now also offer films produced by partners such as Universal Pictures, as well as sister company Warner Bros. Picture.
-The platform also has mixed content concerning film productions of various studios.
-In partnership with Hooq, Hotstar’s premium subscription has add-on content from various international TV productions as well.
-Also acts as a distributor; thus, many productions are released exclusively on Netflix.
-Upload all episodes at once, thus attracting TV show lovers
-Budget Pricing and special subscription discounts to students.
-Annual subscription adds on Prime Music and Prime Shopping without extra charge for a year.
-Can be streamed on any device and by unlimited users at different screens at the same time.
-YouTube Premium is a new service available in selected nations. However, many users have loved it for its music collection. YouTube Premium is the first Google-owned service, that stream original content. Plus, it allows background play for all videos.
-Content from HBO, as part of an exclusive deal.
-Offer a live stream of cricket matches, the annual Academy Awards, and other film events.
-Interface focus on highlighting Netflix Originals, sidelining other licensed productions.
-Live Content and additional cable TV subscriptions are expensive.
-Highly expensive given the content limitations
-YouTube Premium does not have enough content as of yet and therefore; its originals aren’t worth paying for.
-The content library is different in all three operating nations, which has been a controversial matter among users.
-With acclaimed original shows and films released under its banner, Netflix is no short of engaging content.
-The HD stream is a bonus for viewers. The only con is the higher price, which, is an issue for the public.
-For now, the add-on services and Prime shopping benefits still attract viewers towards it. However, it’s still a long way to surpass Netflix.
-Plus, this one is comparatively cheap, especially if the basic version of the service suffice your needs.
-Given the high price and that, a number of its famous shows are in their finales this summer, HBO Now needs more content to grow.
-Probably, Time Warner would decide to add Cinemax to HBO Now since the companies are merged now; that can be of great help.
-But that won’t be enough. The content on platforms is not intriguing and needs development to increase the following.
-So, Youtube Premium can be the right choice for music lovers, but YouTube TV needs a significant upgrade.
-This has helped the platform receive mass popularity. Moreover, the partnership with Hooq has allowed it to get international shows like The Flash in its library.
-The app, on the other hand, is handy, and the searches are easy. The Premium content is worth to vouch for.
Standard: $12.99/mo.
Premium: $15.99/mo.
Hulu+Live TV: $44.99/mo || $50.99/mo
(prices: ads vs. no-ads versions)
YouTube TV: $50/month
Disney+ Hotstar: The Emerging Star
The streaming app from India has come out as a surprise success in this business. Within little more than a year, the Star India led platform has made two exclusive deals with HBO and HOOQ. Hotstar has gained mass popularity for being reasonably cheap and having a formidable volume of regional and international content. The platform has shown a positive increase in the number of subscribers of its premium services and the number of live streamers has crossed a hundred million. Though Hotstar is in its growing phase, the shows and film productions it has brought on board can prove to be really helpful in attracting a large audience towards itself.
What to Choose?
In the midst of this heavy confusion, a viewer needs to choose the right set of streaming services before spending the money. Since the content is vast and almost impossible to completely check all of it from the list, you need to choose per your choices.
Netflix+Hulu+Prime: A full house with TV shows, movies, music, and shopping
Netflix+Hulu: A complete pack of films and series; specifically, visual entertainment
Netflix+YouTubePremium+Hotstar: TV shows, movies, and ad-free music/video streaming
Prime+Hotstar: Budget plan with limited but quality content
But!
Hulu is Coming to Disney: Save for Disney+ Anyhow
As Disney+ and Apple+ made its debut, Disney strikes with getting all the content of its subsidiaries. So, once Disney+ hit the market all your favorite characters from Marvel Studios, Pixar, Disney TV, Marvel TV, Lucasfilms, NatGeo, maybe ESPN, and recently acquired properties of Fox Network as well. Shows like Loki, WandaVision, and The Mandalorian are already available exclusively. And then there is the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Plus, Disney already held a 60% stake in Hulu which has now fully gone to Micky Mouse. So maybe, you’d never require buying Hulu in the first place, and maybe they merge it all up. Just like they did with NatGeo or ESPN.
There is a lot of Disney content on other platforms, but given the recent events where Netflix canceled Marvel’s four different series in a month. Disney has pulled off all its licensed productions from other platforms after its debut as Disney+.
The current scenario and statistics confirm that Netflix has a major lead in the race and Prime Video, which is second in the list is behind Netflix by a considerable difference. The content Netflix has is nowhere to be found. There’s hardly any prominent production that you can’t watch on Netflix. Until someone else gets there, Netflix will keep that top place.
