It's the age of the TV streaming wars, with fierce competition for our loyalty – and cash.
Streaming services offer blockbuster movies, star-studded dramas and global documentaries.
But as the cost of living crisis bites many households now see them as a luxury – 1.51 million cancelled TV subscription services in the first three months of 2022, with over half a million due to “money-saving”.
But if you’re going to keep just one streaming service, which should it be?
Our TV previewer Sara Wallis gives her opinion.
Netflix
The grandaddy of streaming platforms, offering unlimited streaming of TV dramas, documentaries and movies.
How much? Plans range from £6.99 to £15.99 a month.
Best shows: Breaking Bad, Bridgerton, Better Call Saul, The Last Kingdom, Stranger Things, Good Girls, Squid Game, Anatomy of a Scandal, Inventing Anna, Love is Blind, Selling Sunset, Maid.
Sara says : Despite the recent £1-a-month price hike, it’s still hard to compete with Netflix, with an incredible output. Best for binge watchers and fans of US telly. Mega success stories like The Crown make you forget the occasional dross.
Prime Video
Perhaps the best TV service you didn’t know you were paying for.
Anyone who subscribes to get Amazon packages delivered as fast as possible has access to the huge library of releases on Prime Video.
How much ? £5.99 a month. But Amazon Prime membership costs either £7.99 a month or £79 a year and includes other benefits.
Best shows: Hacks, Reacher, American Gods, Scandal, The Wilds, Mad Men, Hanna.
Sara says: One of the best value streaming services. Not quite up to Netflix-levels but you can buy or rent extra movies and series. The Marvelous Mrs Maisel and This Is Us and lured me in – and I never left.
Now TV
Subscription-based TV service owned by Sky, with contract-free access to Sky’s premium sports, movies and entertainment.
How much? Various passes.
The Entertainment Membership + Boost package, with access to award-winning boxsets and Sky Originals, costs £14.99.
Best shows: Mare of Easttown, Succession, The White Lotus.
Sara says: The first place to find the latest HBO or Sky original series, plus a great back catalogue.
Hayu
Reality TV fans will think they have died and gone to heaven.
It offers the best real life shows, new and old, from the US. Home to over 250 and a liberal sprinkling of true life crime TV too.
How much? £4.99 a month.
Best shows Vanderpump Rules, The Big Shot with Bethanny Frankel, The Real Murders of Orange County, Below Deck.
Sara says: If you can’t get enough of reality telly, this will be your happy place.
Apple TV+
Despite its name you do not need an Apple device to watch.
It is available in the standalone Apple TV app used by many devices and has built up a quality library.
Best shows: Ted Lasso, The Morning Show, Severance, Euphoria, Servant, Truth Be Told, Tiny World, Defending Jacob.
Sara says: For brand new content, this feels like an exclusive club. A club that you would probably only join if you already paid for a big-hitter like Netflix.
Acorn TV
A UK streaming service launched in 2020 offering an extensive selection of dramas and mysteries with a special focus on British TV.
How much? £4.99 a month.
Best shows : Midsomer Murders, The Chelsea Detective, Foyles War.
Sara says: Swooping in with its low price, this new kid on the block has yet to prove itself. Fans of mysteries may be intrigued.
BritBox
Home of the British classic. BritBox is a subscription video streaming service from the BBC, ITV, Channel 5 and most recently, Channel 4
Hosts the most extensive collection of British boxsets, as well as exclusive shows from British production companies – such as the relaunched Spitting Image.
How much? £5.99 a month.
Best shows: Life on Mars, Cracker, Downton Abbey, Doctor Who, Fawlty Towers, The Thick of It, Spitting Image.
Sara says: Does what it says on the tin. If binging on British boxsets is your thing, this is for you. However, if you’re more interested in brand new stuff then move along.
Disney Plus
A relatively new service, it has gained 118 million subscribers in a little over two years.
It offers family-friendly entertainment from Disney, Pixar, and Marvel, plus documentaries from National Geographic and bingeworthy drama.
How much? £7.99 a month.
Best shows: The Mandalorian, Pam and Tommy, Only Murders in the Building, Dopesick, The Marvelous Mrs Maisel, The Kardashians, Grey’s Anatomy and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Sara says: If you’re a franchise fan or have young kids to entertain, Disney+ is totally worth the money.
