In the late ’90s and early ’00s, sites like YouTube opened a new way to watch videos. These sites allowed people to watch videos at their convenience, but they didn’t offer live TV. In the mid-2000s, a service called Joost tried to revolutionize how we watch TV by offering legally streamed TV channels. Sadly, Joost couldn’t keep going and closed down in 2009.
Around 2008, a website called Justin.tv, later renamed Twitch, began allowing people to stream live TV shows and games. This was a big hit, even though some wondered whether it was legal.
By the 2010s, several new services, including Sling TV, YouTube TV, and Hulu Live TV, had emerged. These services let people watch live TV channels without a cable subscription, marking a major shift. Streaming TV is now growing worldwide. These services strive to offer the best shows, prices, and technology.
If you’re thinking about getting a streaming TV service, here are some things to think about:
- What shows or channels do you want to watch?
- How good the video looks and if it plays smoothly.
- If you can watch it on more than one device at the same time,
- If you can, record shows to watch later.
- What is the total cost, including any available deals or free trials?
Streaming TV has transformed the way we watch TV, making it more about what we want to watch and when we want to watch it.
Netflix
Netflix changed how we watch movies and TV shows. It began in 1997 with DVD rentals by mail, which was more convenient than visiting a store. In 2007, Netflix introduced online streaming, making it easier to watch movies and TV shows. People liked it because it was affordable, and you could watch things anytime on many devices, such as phones and game consoles.
Netflix started producing shows like House of Cards in 2013. It has over 200 million users worldwide and offers a vast selection of movies and shows. Netflix works hard to make watching shows fun and easy. You can even watch shows offline, and Netflix suggests titles you might like.
Netflix is available in more than 190 countries and aims to help everyone find something they like. It offers various plans, so you can choose what works best for you, such as HD streaming or multiple screens at once. Even though you can’t try it for free, changing your plan is easy if you need to.
The Netflix logo is simple, but everyone knows it. It shows that Netflix makes entertainment easy and always tries to improve.
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video was launched in 2006 and was initially known as Amazon Unbox. It’s a place where you can watch a wide variety of movies and TV shows. At first, it let people download videos, but later it expanded to streaming. In 2011, it got even better because you could watch things immediately without downloading them. A year later, it added many TV shows by making a deal with Viacom.
In 2014, the company produced its first TV show, Alpha House. This marked a significant development, signaling Amazon’s entry into producing movies and shows. In 2015, they changed the name to Amazon Prime Video and added it to Amazon Prime. That means if you have Prime, you get free shipping, music, and can watch movies and shows on Amazon Prime Video.
One notable feature of Amazon Prime Video is its extensive selection of movies and shows, including some produced in-house. The service is easy to use, and a special tool called X-Ray provides more information about the actors and music in the movies and shows you watch. You can also watch in high quality, such as 4K, on many devices.
Amazon Prime Video is now available in over 200 countries and continues to add new, big-budget shows and movies. It competes with other major streaming services, such as Netflix and Hulu. Amazon aims to be the top choice for watching movies and shows, and its logo represents high-quality content and innovative ideas in online TV and movie viewing.
Disney+
Disney+ launched on November 12, 2019, in the USA, Canada, and the Netherlands. Disney Streaming Services, a part of Disney, created it. Bob Iger, Disney’s CEO, planned it after noticing people preferred watching shows online rather than on TV. Disney+ offers a wide range of movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic. It’s easy for everyone to use and safe for kids.
Many people joined Disney+ immediately, with more than 86 million in the first year. Because of high demand, the service initially experienced problems. However, shows and movies available only on Disney+, along with new additions like The Mandalorian and WandaVision, helped drive its growth. They also created new Marvel shows, such as Loki and Hawkeye, and introduced a cheaper ad-supported plan.
Disney+ is designed for uninterrupted viewing on multiple devices. Its simple plan shows how good its shows and movies are. Disney helps customers by ensuring everyone can watch without trouble.
By the end of 2022, more than 160 million people had signed up for Disney+, making it one of the biggest online streaming services. Disney continues to add new shows and movies to keep things exciting. The Disney+ logo embodies the fun and adventure that Disney is famous for, making people feel as though they are stepping into a world of imagination.
Hulu + Live TV
Hulu was founded in 2007 as a joint venture between News Corp and NBCUniversal. In 2017, it launched Hulu + Live TV, transforming the way we watch TV. Hulu was initially known for its on-demand shows, but adding live TV made it even more appealing. Now, you can watch shows anytime or live on TV, all in one place. You can add extra channels and save shows to watch later, although there’s a limit on how much you can store.
Hulu + Live TV is compatible with a wide range of devices, making it easy for everyone to use. It offers a trial period, so you can try it before you buy, and it’s priced competitively with excellent customer service. Hulu has reached major milestones, including introducing cloud DVR in 2016, launching Hulu + Live TV in 2017 with over 50 live channels, and quickly gaining 1 million subscribers. In 2019, Disney took full control after acquiring Fox. Even after raising prices in 2021, Hulu + Live TV had grown to over 4 million subscribers by 2022, with the addition of more channels and features.
The Hulu logo effectively combines new and traditional TV, making it easy for viewers to enjoy their favorite shows in innovative ways.
HBO Max
On May 27, 2020, WarnerMedia launched HBO Max, a big streaming service that combines shows and movies from HBO, Warner Bros., and Turner networks. The service offers a diverse range of content, including HBO’s renowned series, plus a selection of movies and new shows not available anywhere else. HBO Max is unique because it receives new movies from Warner Bros. immediately after they’re released in theaters, and it also features its own original shows.
HBO Max is easy to use and helps people find something fun to watch, whether it’s serious dramas or kids’ cartoons. You can watch it on various devices, making it ideal for people who enjoy watching shows and movies on the go. It’s a bit expensive, but the quality is worth the price.
When HBO Max launched, it aimed to rival Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, despite Disney+’s impending arrival. It launched with over 10,000 hours of shows and movies. In its first year, 44.2 million people in the U.S. signed up, and by early 2022, it had 76.8 million subscribers worldwide.
In April 2022, Discovery Inc. bought WarnerMedia for $43 billion and, in 2023, decided to combine HBO Max with Discovery+ into a new service. This move aims to enhance the service by offering a broader range of shows and movies and expanding its reach to a global audience.
The HBO Max logo symbolizes the service’s commitment to high-quality, diverse content. It symbolizes HBO Max’s efforts to be the best place to stream, combining HBO’s famous shows with new and different entertainment for everyone.
YouTube TV
YouTube TV launched in February 2017 and quickly became a popular choice for online live TV. It was first available in major cities like New York and Los Angeles, offering numerous channels for $35 a month. Over time, it expanded to offer more than 100 channels nationwide.
One of YouTube TV’s best features is its cloud-based DVR, which lets you save shows for up to 9 months without running out of storage space. You can watch on multiple devices simultaneously and set up to six different accounts within a single household, making it easy for everyone to watch their preferred content and receive personalized recommendations. Thanks to Google, you can watch your shows on any device, anywhere.
YouTube TV is easy to use across multiple devices and offers helpful customer support through live chat, email, and a comprehensive help center. It also offers a trial period, so you can try it before paying.
Although YouTube TV has faced challenges, including price changes and channel licensing issues, it has performed well and is expected to surpass 5 million subscribers by 2022. Its logo, featuring a play button inside a TV, indicates that YouTube TV combines traditional TV with the new ways we watch shows today, aiming to deliver a great experience.
Apple TV+
Apple TV+ started in November 2019. It’s Apple’s streaming service, offering TV shows, movies, and documentaries. It’s easy to use and works well with all Apple products. It’s also compatible with other devices, so people without Apple products can watch it too. Apple TV+ focuses on high-quality shows and movies that are unique and not available anywhere else. They even feature famous actors and directors. People can try it for free, and if you purchase certain Apple products, you’ll receive a year of Apple TV+ for free.
In 2017, discussions began about Apple producing its own original shows and movies. They hired two big names from Sony Pictures, Jamie Erlicht and Zack Van Amburg, to help make it happen. They brought in stars like Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg, along with actors like Jennifer Aniston and Jason Momoa, to star in the shows. Although it began with just a few shows, Apple TV+ is expanding by adding more content and attracting more subscribers. Shows like “Ted Lasso” and “The Morning Show” have won awards and increased interest in subscribing. Apple TV+ may not have as many subscribers as other services yet, but it focuses on strong shows and movies.
The Apple TV+ logo looks nice. It demonstrates that Apple TV+ is committed to excellence and offers something truly unique.
ESPN+
Disney launched ESPN+ on April 12, 2018, offering a new way to watch sports online without a cable TV subscription. ESPN+ differs from regular ESPN channels because it offers a wide range of live sports, shows, and other videos not available on traditional TV. These include games from Major League Baseball, the National Hockey League, and Major League Soccer, as well as other sports like tennis and boxing. ESPN+ is ideal for fans who enjoy sports that are typically not broadcast on TV.
ESPN+ attracted over 2 million signups in its first year because it showed many special sports events. By 2021, it had 17.1 million subscribers; by 2022, that number had grown to about 24.3 million. This shows how many people prefer to watch sports on ESPN+.
ESPN+ is easy to use because it works seamlessly on phones, tablets, and smart TVs. You don’t need cable to watch it so that you can watch sports from anywhere. The subscription cost is low, making it a great deal for sports enthusiasts who want to watch exclusive games and shows.
The ESPN+ logo looks simple, but it conveys that ESPN+ is dedicated to giving sports fans what they want to watch online. Although it’s part of ESPN, it stands out because it offers something unique for sports enthusiasts.
Sling TV
In 2015, Dish Network launched Sling TV. This service is designed for individuals who prefer to watch TV online rather than using traditional cable. Sling TV wanted to be affordable and easy for everyone to watch live TV online. It started at $20 per month and offered a selection of popular channels.
Sling TV was cool because you could pick what you wanted to watch. You could choose between “Sling Orange” and “Sling Blue” or opt for both, plus additional channels. This way, you only paid for what you liked to watch. It worked on many devices and even had a feature to record shows for later viewing, but you couldn’t store many shows at once.
Since its launch, Sling TV has been about giving people what they want without overspending. It has added more ways to watch and record your favorite shows. By 2020, many people were using Sling TV, showing it was a strong choice for online TV.
Although fewer people are signing up now, Sling TV remains a top pick for many because it’s affordable, customizable, and easy to use. The company keeps improving, helping you discover new shows you’ll enjoy.
The Sling TV logo is simple and emphasizes ease of use and flexibility, just like Sling TV aims to be for online TV viewing.
DirecTV Stream
In 2016, a new TV service called DirecTV Now started. It changed its name a few times and is now known as DirecTV Stream. This service emerged because more people wanted to watch TV online rather than using traditional cable. Initially, it offered more than 60 TV channels for $35 per month, featuring popular channels such as ESPN, CNN, and NBC. The goal was to offer a wide range of channels, similar to cable TV, but make it easier to watch them online.
Over time, the service changed its name and updated itself to better meet customers’ needs and align more closely with its parent company. It also tried simplifying things for customers, such as making pricing more transparent and offering packages that included internet service.
In 2021, DirecTV became its own company again and was renamed DirecTV Stream. This new version offers features like 4K viewing, unlimited recording, and the ability to watch on multiple devices simultaneously. Now, DirecTV Stream has about 9 million users and offers live TV, on-demand shows and movies, and additional channels, all without a yearly contract.
DirecTV Stream’s branding aims to show it as a modern, easy way to watch TV and online content. The logo communicates the service’s commitment to providing a convenient, flexible viewing experience.
FuboTV
David Gandler, Alberto Horihuela, and Sung Ho Choi started FuboTV in January 2015. They initially created it for soccer enthusiasts from other countries who struggled to find much coverage of their sport on American TV. At first, FuboTV focused mainly on soccer. However, it eventually expanded and offered a wide range of live TV. Now, you can watch lots of sports, news, and shows for all different kinds of people on FuboTV.
Over time, FuboTV has changed significantly. It has added movies, news, and shows to its soccer games. This mix makes it a great choice for families or anyone who wants to watch a variety of things in one place. FuboTV lets you watch select events in 4K, delivering an exceptionally clear picture, especially for sports fans.
You can use FuboTV on smart TVs, streaming sticks, phones, and tablets so that you can watch almost anywhere. You can choose from various plans, depending on how much you want to watch and how much you’re willing to spend. They even offer a free trial, so you can try it before you buy.
In 2018, FuboTV partnered with FaceBank Group, which helped it grow by introducing new features and adding more channels. By 2020, it had over 100 channels. As more people opt out of traditional cable TV, FuboTV has gained popularity, particularly among sports fans. It stands out from other streaming services by focusing heavily on sports.
More than 1.5 million people have signed up for FuboTV, and it has even begun offering sports betting features. Its modern logo signals that FuboTV aims to offer a diverse range of content, from its initial focus on soccer to its current success as a streaming service.
Twitch
In 2011, Justin Kan and Emmett Shear started Twitch. It was a new part of their earlier project, Justin.tv. They wanted Twitch to be a special place for gamers to share and watch video game streams. Twitch became very popular among gamers for bringing them together to watch games and chat in real time. It wasn’t just about playing games; it became a place where people could share a wide range of things, including music, diverse lifestyles, and art, while maintaining its primary focus on gaming.
Twitch made it easy for people to join in. You could watch streams on computers, phones, and gaming consoles. It was free, but you could also pay to support your favorite streamers. Twitch kept growing and adding new features. In 2014, Amazon bought Twitch for $970 million. This helped Twitch improve by speeding up streams and adding more show types.
Twitch has become a significant player in esports, hosting major gaming tournaments with millions of viewers. It added features that let streamers customize their channels and launched a section for everyday-life streams. By 2022, Twitch had millions of daily visitors and thousands of monthly content creators. It shows how popular watching and creating live streams has become.
The Twitch logo symbolizes Twitch’s vibrant community and role as a leader in live streaming and gaming culture.
Peacock
Created by NBCUniversal, Peacock is a new streaming service that’s easy and fun to use. It offers a free, ad-supported version and a paid version with additional content. You can watch old shows, new shows, movies, and sports like the Premier League. Peacock made it easy to find and watch a wide range of shows and movies across many devices, so everyone can find something they like without paying extra.
NBCUniversal began working on Peacock in 2019, aiming to share its extensive collection of movies and TV shows directly with viewers online, rather than through traditional TV channels. It launched Peacock in July 2020, when more people were looking for things to watch at home because of the pandemic. Peacock is special because it offers a wide range of NBC shows, classic movies, sports, and news. NBCUniversal has made deals with WWE and ViacomCBS to offer even more content.
Peacock acquired exclusive shows like The Office and added major events, like the Olympics, to attract more viewers. It also worked with companies like Roku to help more people use Peacock. By early 2022, Peacock had 28 million monthly users, showing it’s doing well and competing with big names like Netflix and Disney+.
The Peacock logo is colorful and features a feather to represent the diverse range of shows and movies it offers. It represents NBCUniversal’s history of making great entertainment and its move into streaming.
CBS All Access
In 2014, CBS launched a new TV service, which it renamed Paramount+ in 2021. This was a significant development because it marked the first time a major TV network had launched an online streaming service. The idea was to make it easy for people to watch shows online, including news, sports, and entertainment. CBS All Access began producing shows in 2017, including Star Trek: Discovery and The Good Fight, which many people eagerly awaited.
Over time, Paramount+ added more shows, including The Twilight Zone and Star Trek: Picard. They teamed up with Showtime to offer more options and secured the rights to stream shows from networks such as BET and Nickelodeon. People can watch even more content, such as live sports and major events like the Grammy Awards, on various devices without needing any special equipment.
Paramount+ is renowned for its extensive content offerings, including live TV, shows, and movies, all available to stream anytime. It’s easy to use, affordable, and available on many devices. The logo is a door to a world full of fun things to watch, suitable for all kinds of people, whether at home or on the go.
Philo
Philo is a TV streaming service that makes shows affordable. It makes entertainment, lifestyle, and educational shows accessible to everyone, so you can watch without spending a lot. Philo offers many channels at lower prices than others and doesn’t cut corners on quality. People like its design and the ability to save shows to watch later for up to a year.
Philo works on many devices, making it easy for more people to use. You can try it for free for seven days to see if you like it. Although it doesn’t offer sports or local news, Philo has many popular cable channels for people who like other shows. If you need help, Philo offers a range of support options, including a comprehensive FAQ and direct assistance.
Tuan Ho and Nick Krasney founded Philo in 2009, and it was the first service of its kind for college students. In 2016, it changed its name to Philo and secured funding to expand its operations. Since then, it has added new features, supports more devices, and offers a wider range of shows, including some you can purchase to watch anytime. In 2018, it received $40 million to continue growing and collaborate with major media companies. Philo has over 800,000 subscribers and focuses on offering good entertainment without sports or news, keeping prices low. Its logo shows Philo’s commitment to making television fun for everyone.
Pluto TV
Pluto TV launched in 2013 and changed how we watch TV by offering a free, ad-supported platform that lets users access a wide range of channels and shows without a subscription. It’s like old-fashioned TV but updated. You can find all sorts of things to watch, like movies, sports, and news, and you don’t have to pay extra to watch them on demand.
The people who made Pluto TV, Tom Ryan, Ilya Pozin, and Nick Grouf, wanted to make watching TV together something you could do over the internet, just like you might at home on the couch. They named it after Pluto, the planet, to signal a new world of TV. They initially offered approximately 130 channels, including news and sports.
Pluto TV added more shows and partnered with other companies as it grew. This caught Viacom’s eye, and the company acquired Pluto TV for a substantial sum in 2019. Later, Viacom merged with CBS to form Paramount Global, and Pluto TV became a key part of its plan to increase online viewership of its content.
Pluto TV has more than 70 million viewers worldwide every month. It’s still free and part of Paramount’s bigger plans for streaming shows and movies. The Pluto TV logo is simple and friendly, suggesting it’s a platform where anyone can find something to enjoy watching.
Vidgo
Shane Cannon founded Vidgo in 2018. It’s an online TV service you can use without signing long-term contracts or paying additional fees. Vidgo first launched in 2018 in select parts of the U.S. It offered a more affordable option than traditional TV and other online TV services. Initially, Vidgo offered English-language channels, including A&E, ESPN, and Discovery. They wanted everyone to enjoy it, not just certain groups. They made it available in over 77 big cities and kept the price under $40. They added more channels, including some from Viacom and the Hallmark Channel.
Vidgo was different because it focused on showing live TV, especially sports and events, without being expensive. They even let people watch TV together online, which made the experience more enjoyable. You could use Vidgo on many devices, making it easy for everyone to access. As online TV evolved, Vidgo added new features, including the ability to watch on multiple devices at once. It has become a good option for people who don’t want to pay much for TV.
Now, Vidgo is recognized for its affordability and user-friendly interface. It’s ideal for individuals who prefer not to have a contract and simply want to enjoy a variety of channels. The Vidgo logo shows that it’s all about bringing people together to watch TV and have a good time.
Xumo
Xumo started as a new way for people to watch TV. It combines live TV with on-demand shows, all available for free. People like it because it offers numerous channels for news, sports, and entertainment, and it’s easy to use. You can quickly and easily find what you want to watch.
Xumo began in 2011 in Irvine, California. It expanded into smart TVs and devices by streaming shows online. In 2016, it received a significant boost when Panasonic added Xumo to its smart TVs, making it more accessible to a wider audience. Xumo has over 170 channels and became so popular that, by 2020, 10 million people used it monthly. Comcast acquired Xumo in 2020 because it was performing well; in 2022, Charter Communications bought a 50% stake. Comcast and Charter collaborate to enhance Xumo for U.S. users.
Xumo continues to improve and is compatible with a wide range of devices, including smart TVs, streaming devices, phones, and computers. It’s free because it shows ads. The Xumo logo signifies that Xumo is committed to making it easy for everyone to access a diverse range of shows.