The Witches Of Eastwick
Whats a movie that gives wonderfully 80s Halloween vibes, was directed by the same guy who did Mad Max: Fury Road, and stars Cher with some of her biggest hair ever? The Witches of Eastwick, of course! This campy old time also features a devilishly fun performance from Jack Nicholson, as well as some delightfully fun turns from Susan Sarandon and Michelle Pfeiffer. Who wouldnt want to watch this A-list Halloween comedy? The Witches of Eastwickis available to stream now.
Keeping Watch is a regular endorsement of TV and movies worth your time.
The 10 Most Expensive Streaming TV Shows
By Bill Frost
Even the best streaming service cant produce the best streaming shows by simply backing money trucks up to the studio. Just like mainstream movies and premium cable outlets, streaming TV has launched as many pricey flops as blockbusters.
If only we could time travel ahead a few years to assess Prime Videos Lord of the Rings adaptation series, which reportedly will cost $1 billion to make . Lets hope struggling startup Amazon can absorb the hit.
In the meantime, CableTV.com has compiled a list of the 10 most expensive streaming shows to date, then cross-referenced them with audience and critical ratings . Most of them earned their keepothers, not so much.
Those are some staggering price tags, huh? Lets take a closer look at these high-dollar shows from some of the top streaming TV services.
Disney Plus The Best Streaming Service For The Entire Family
Are you a Disney lover? If yes then you should not waste your time or look any further for any other entertainment platform as you will get everything that you love under one roof. You receive ad-free access to all of the streaming titles on the service. The business used to provide a free seven-day trial to new members, but that offer has now expired.
The platform supports up to seven profiles per subscription and in addition to this, you can also try using the special kids profile. These are not the only amazing things about Disney Plus, you can also enjoy simultaneous streaming on up to four devices which makes the service even better.
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Major Networks In Major Markets
An HDTV antenna can pick up dozens of local TV stations over-the-air broadcasts free of charge. The US Federal Communications Commission has an easy-to-use station reception map that will tell you what stations you could get. People in Manhattan, for example, could get three dozen local TV signals with the right hardware. None of the major streaming services, however, carry all of these local TV stations.
DirecTV Now, fuboTV, Hulu with Live TV, PlayStation Vue, Sling TV and YouTube TV focus on streaming feeds from local stations affiliated with the major networks. That includes:
- The Big 4: ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC
- Spanish-language Networks: Univision, UniMás and Telemundo
- Small National Networks: The CW , MyNetworkTV
- Network-owned independent stations: WLNY and KCAL , KICU
There are dozens of other local TV stations that you wont find on the streaming services. Public TV is the biggest example. None of the streaming services carry PBS-affiliated TV stations. Other local TV networks like sci-fi focused Comet and latino-focused Estrella dont get carried by the streaming services either.
Note: You can find a detailed breakdown of the local TV channels that each streaming service supports towards the end of this article.
In this review we looked at how many of these local stations each streaming service actually carries in the thirty largest TV markets in the United States.
What To Watch On Fubotv
Stay up to date with your favorite international teams, with fuboTVs extensive soccer coverage. Youll find English Premier League, German Supercup, and Argentine Superleague games. There are also countless on-demand movies to kick back and relax to. The current list includes Oscar winners like Green Book, titles from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and kid-friendly choices like How to Train Your Dragon.
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The 12 Best Streaming Services In 2021
Plus, what to watch on your new favorite streaming service.
Back in the day, Netflix was one of the only streaming services that promised to help you end your expensive cable subscription. But now, its easy to be overwhelmed by the amount of streaming options availableand the costs can quickly add up when you feel like you need to have separate subscriptions to Netflix, Amazon, Disney Plus, Hulu, HBO, and more to stay on top of all of your favorite shows and movies. Whether you want to pare down to only the essential services or add a new one to watch, weve broken down the top twelve streaming channels you should consider, including their subscription pricing, bundle options, and other convenient features. Oh, and if youre looking for what to watch, we have recommendations for popular TV shows and movies available now, too.
But First, Get the Tech: The Best Streaming Devices | 8 Smart TVs for Picture-Perfect Streaming | Wireless Surround Sound Systems for Every Budget
How To Stream TV
Here is what you need to do to stream TV effortlessly:
But wait There are so many streaming TV services out there. Its kind of confusing. How to choose then?!
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Best For Reality TV Fans: Discovery+
- Some popular shows missing
- No latest seasons of popular shows
Discovery+ is a streaming service with over 55,000 hours of classic and exclusive content from the Discovery group of cable TV channels. Besides Discovery Channel, those include HGTV, Food Network, TLC, Investigation Discovery , Animal Planet, OWN, A& E, Lifetime, History, Travel Channel, and Science Channel.
But Discovery+ catalog mostly offers previously aired content. The latest episodes and seasons of your favorite shows are still on cable , not Discovery+. The latest 90 Day Fiance episodes arent available here, but several 90 Day spinoffs are the same goes for Property Brothers and other network hits.
Besides Discoverys networks, Discovery+ also features content from A& E, Lifetime, HISTORY, and animal-centric digital media brand The Dodo.
Even without the most popular shows and newest seasons, Discovery+ is still a good deal for Discovery superfans who want to keep up with the exclusive spinoffs, or newbies looking to discover 55,000 hours of new-to-them content.
Best For Fans Of Military History Documentaries
Pros
- Available on many different platforms
- Plenty of original series and shows
- Affordable
- Only available in the U.S.
- Doesn’t let you download videos for offline viewing on Android devices
- Inconsistent app styles and features
- Few accessibility options
Pros
- Offline downloads on mobile platforms
- Merchandise shop and discounts for Black-owned businesses
Cons
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Do Video Streaming Services Support 4k Hdr And Surround Sound
Some video streaming services do support high-end audio and video standards. Apple TV+, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, Netflix, and Prime Video all support 4K streaming, for example. Other streaming services top out at 1080p streaming for movies, among them Filmatique, KweliTV, Mubi, Ovid.tv, Peacock, Shudder, and The Criterion Channel. Tubis and Crackle’s maximum streaming resolution is 720p.
Some services, such as Apple TV+, Disney+, HBO Max, Netflix, and Prime Video, support HDR streaming . Support for higher-end audio standards is more common. Apple TV+, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, Netflix, Prime Video, and Tubi all support at least one of these standards.
Note that not every movie on these services is available to stream at the absolute highest quality. The best way to find content that supports these high-end video and audio standards is to search for them in a services interface.
Average Monthly Streaming Spend By State
State by state, the spending on streaming varies.
This is perhaps because some of us enjoy a good old-fashioned puzzle more than others, or subscribe to fewer streaming services than our neighbors across state lines, or that some just prefer cable.
Those who are on the higher end of the spending spectrum may have more expansive curiosities and subscribe to premium streaming services at a higher cost.
Either way, heres how it all breaks down.
Key findings:
- The mean cost of a cable television service in the US is $107/month.2
- The national average for streaming spending is $48.25/mo., less than half what Americans are spending on cable television bills.
- Nearly 54% of Americans are still paying for cable television, often in addition to their streaming service bills.
- People in Washington D.C. spend the most monthly at $52.75/mo.,while people in New Mexico spend the least, spending $39.50/mo.
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What To Look For In A Streaming Service
There are two types of streaming services on the market: live TV and on-demand.
If you no longer want to pay for a cable or satellite TV bill, a live TV streaming service might be the best option for you. If youre going to binge-watch TV series and movies, youll be satisfied with an on-demand service.
Which Streaming Service Is Best For Live TV
If you want to watch live TV without paying for a cable TV package your best bet is YouTube TV. YouTube TV lets you stream live and local sports, news, and shows from 85+ channels including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, HGTV, CNBC, and TNT.
On top of that, youll have access to all the content of the best YouTube streamers.
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Best For Hbo Shows And Popular Movies
Pros
- Huge catalog of popular shows and movies from many sources
- All Warner Bros. 2021 movies viewable the same day as theatrical releases
- Attractive apps
- Ad-free tier lets subscribers download content for offline viewing
- User profiles and parental control tools
Cons
- Ad-supported tier doesn’t support offline downloads
- Limited number of 4K titles
Hulu The Best Streaming Service If You Are A Cord Cutter
Hulu is also one of the most demanded premium streaming platforms for live and on-demand TV shows and movies. Hulu has also begun to focus on original programs. It has premiered Emmy-nominated shows including The Looming Tower and The Act, as well as award-winning series like The Handmaids Tale.
In addition to original material, Hulu, unlike its competitors, also provides live television. 21st Century Fox, NBC, The Walt Disney, CBS Corporation, Turner Networks, The CW, A+E Channels, and Discovery Channels all have news broadcasts, entertaining, and sports programming available!
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What Else Do You Need To Know
Chances are you’re already pretty familiar with most of the names on this list, but it’s by no means comprehensive. There are plenty of other ways to stream, and hundreds of other choices out there. As you weigh your streaming choices, keep the following notes in mind.
- This list is ordered based on the numerical value I assigned to each streaming service in their individual review, which I determined by design , features , content and value . Click through to the full reviews for more details.
- This list includes major on-demand streaming services only. It does not include live TV streaming services for cord-cutters , free streaming services like Tubi or Crackle or smaller, niche services like ESPN Plus and PBS Kids or regional sports networks.
- To watch any of the services on this list you’ll need a solid internet connection, a compatible device and a valid username and password.
- This best streaming service list will be updated periodically as new services become available and are reviewed, and as existing reviews are updated.
Want more? Check out CNET’s Streaming TV Insider for advice on what to watch, the latest streaming news, help, how-to and more.
Other Options To Consider
Philo is the biggest bundle you can get with no sports channels. As such, it only costs $20 per month, with channels from AMC, Viacom, Discovery, and A& E. Philo is a fine supplement if you can get prime-time shows and sports from an antenna.
Frndly TV offers about a dozen channels for $6 per month, most notably the Hallmark Channels and The Weather Channel. If those channels are missing from whatever larger package youve chosen, this might be a great supplement.
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Can You Stream Sports Online
Sports fans may worry that they won’t be able to watch live sports when they ditch cable. However, that’s simply not the case. Many of the video streaming options we reviewed are also among the best sports streaming services. Regardless of whether you want to watch regional, national, or international sports, there is a service that meets your needs. Although blackouts and cancellations may still apply, these streaming options offer distinct advantages over cable, including full-featured apps on many platforms and simultaneous streaming capabilities. Check out our roundup of the best NFL streaming services, best MLB streaming services, best NBA streaming services, and the best NHL streaming services for specific recommendations.
Is Youtube TV Better Than Hulu
YouTube TV has slightly more channels than Hulu + Live TV, but we’re still only talking about 70 networks or so, including local stations like ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX. YouTube TV has more sports networks overall. It also includes full access to Hulu’s streaming library with ads a $5.99/month value.
Is streaming TV better than cable? Streaming is a lower-cost alternative to pricey cable subscriptions. But it’s almost impossible to get everything you want via streaming. Here’s why. Eighty-three percent of American households have cable, and the average cable bill is $100 a month, a 40 percent increase over the last five years.
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The Catalog Is Everything
As mentioned, a video streaming service’s success largely depends on what its library offers. That’s why so many services are investing heavily in developing high-quality original content. Consider, for example, Netflix’s Stranger Things, Amazon’s The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale, all of which are Emmy-winning shows. Without these hooks, standalone video streaming services would likely be unable to compete with existing entertainment behemoths. Several platforms have also saved popular shows from the grave in an effort to build a compelling library. For instance, Roku brought back all the originals from the ill-fated Quibi.
Apart from on-demand video streaming services, complete cable-replacement services are now just as mainstream. Some of the best live TV services, for example, such as Hulu and YouTube TV, offer robust lineups of local, news, sports, and lifestyle channels. Others have specialties. For instance, DirecTV Stream is the best option for regional sports networks and Philo is custom-built for lifestyle and entertainment fans. Locast used to be an inexpensive option for watching local channels, but that service has since shut down.
Here Are The 7 Best Live Streaming TV Services
In the era of streaming TV, services like Netflix, Hulu, , and Disney Plus have become popular ways for people to cut the cord. However, those services offer movies and TV shows on demand. There is still an audience that wants to watch live television, particularly for sports, news, and other major live events. For those users, live streaming TV services are the way to go.
Here are the best live streaming services that are currently available. As you can see, they all have very different lineups of channels, prices, and features.
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How To Choose The Right Live TV Streaming Service For You
Searching for that special live TV streaming service neednt be difficult. Know what you want, and youre halfway there. Consider which channels you need to have access to and which ones you can do without. Next, turn to DVR storage. Do you need hundreds of hours to store tons of episodes? Or can you make do with less?
Do you need a lot of on-demand content to binge all winter? All TV streaming services have thousands of on-demand titles, but some have tens of thousands of titles. And speaking of on-demand content, can you make do with ads? If not, prioritize services with the option to upgrade to an ad-free experience.
Last but certainly not least, think about streaming limits. Does every member of your household like different things? Are you likely to have arguments if people cant watch what they want when they want? If the answer to both of those is a resounding yes, youll need a service that offers ample simultaneous streams.
Best For Network Shows And Sports
Pros
- Broad library of on-demand content across many genres
- Live sports coverage
- Supports offline downloads and 4K streaming
- Allows three simultaneous streams and six profiles per account
- Excellent closed captions options and parental control tools
Cons
- Fewer high-quality originals than competitors
- Offline downloads and 4K streaming are restricted to premium tier
- Only premium subscribers get local CBS broadcast channels
- No watchlist feature
Pros
- No local or sports coverage, few news channels
- Lacks parental control options
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What To Watch On Youtube TV
You can catch long-running hit shows like The Walking Dead and Greys Anatomy with YouTube TV. The service also has much-loved series like Friends. There are also plenty of sports and reality TV options to keep you busy, including the likes of Keeping Up with the Kardashians and The Bachelor.
Now $10 cheaper than YouTube TV, Get 65+ channels along with a library of 8,000+ on-demand titles with Hulu Live! Bundle with Disney+ and ESPN+ for even more great content.