Have you ever felt like you’re flooded with streaming options, yet nothing is quite the right fit? Some are too pricey and others want to lock you into contracts that you don’t feel comfortable with. Sometimes you sign up for one platform to watch a particular show and when that wraps up, you find there’s nothing else appealing to view. So you sign up for another platform to watch something else and the cycle continues. The problem is that all of these subscriptions add up in price.
Here’s a quick analysis of the popular streaming TV platforms and how much they cost.
Netflix
Featuring critically acclaimed TV shows, original programming and more than 5,000 pieces of content, Netflix offers movies, documentaries, TV shows and games for the whole family. Original content includes ‘Stranger Things’ and ‘Emily in Paris.’
- With ads: $6.99/month or $83.88/year
- Ad-free plan: $15.49/month or $185.88/year
Apple TV+
From exclusive original series to access to live sports, Apple TV+ even lets you watch shows via its app across multiple devices. New content is added monthly. Catch original shows ‘Shrinking,’ ‘Ted Lasso’ and ‘Severance.’
- With ads: n/a
- Ad-free plan: $9.99/month or $119.88/year
Paramount+
Popular original series include ‘iCarly’ and ‘The Family Stallone.’ Gain access to 30,000 shows from major networks like CBS, BET, MTV and, of course, Paramount Network, Paramount+ even offers access to livestream CBS for an additional cost.
- With ads: $5.99/month or $71.88/year
- Ad-free plan: n/a
Hulu
From comedies to dramas to popular animated series, Hulu subscriptions offer unlimited access to a wide array of shows and movies. Hulu originals include ‘Only Murders in the Building and Life and Beth. Other popular shows include : ‘Life and Beth,’ ‘Abbott Elementary,’ and ‘Only Murderers in the Building’
- With ads: $7.99/month or $95.88/year
- Ad-free plan: $17.99/month or $215.88/year
Peacock
While not as robust in offerings as its larger competitors, this small but mighty NBCUniversal-fed library features big NBC hits like ‘Weakest Link,’ ‘The Voice,’ and more. Other popular shows include: ‘Dr. Death,’ ‘A.P. Bio,’ and ‘One of Us in Lying.’
- With ads: $6/month or $72/year
- Ad-free plan: $12/month or $144/year
Disney+
Watch new releases from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and Nat Geo plus classic shows and movies. Stream on up to four devices at one time.
- With ads: $9.99/month or $119.88/year
- Ad-free plan: $13.99/month or $167.88/year
Tablo: The Best of Both Worlds
Unlike streaming services, over-the-air (OTA) broadcast TV is 100% free, aside from making the initial purchase of an antenna and add on accessories like an OTA DVR. This is a great option if you’re looking to reduce your monthly costs yet have access to network TV. You can drastically reduce monthly costs by bundling a couple of streaming networks and taking advantage of free OTA.
The nice part about watching broadcast TV is that you can pick up a Tablo device to view your favorite dramas, stand-ups, game shows and more on your own time. Tablo 4th Generation OTA DVR lets you watch and record multiple shows on different channels. Plus, you gain access to 70+ free streaming channels through the TabloTV app.
Think about it this way: if you switched to only using OTA TV with a Tablo device, you would only make a one-time purchase with Tablo (ranging from $99 to $139, depending on your needs). Then you’d have zero monthly subscription fees—ever.
