The internet changed the way we consume content. Nowadays, you no longer need cable television to watch your favorite movies, shows, and sports. You can get all that by simply signing up with a TV streaming platform.
These platforms are different in the way that they give you options. Some platforms specialize in a particular genre of movies and shows, while others are diverse and provide tons of options.
Some cost money, while others are completely free. But that doesn’t change that TV streaming platforms exist to satisfy your taste for television content. In this short guide, we will walk through a selection of the best platforms to sign up with.
Netflix – Best For Original Content
Netflix is one of the most popular streaming platforms. According to Statista, Netflix has 221 million users. The platform offers members a wide selection of movies, shows, and documentaries to stream. But one thing that separates Netflix from the rest is that they have an impressive number of original shows and movies. Money Heist and Squid Game are two Netflix originals you do not want to miss out on.
Even though Netflix isn’t free, it’s surprisingly cheap for the amount of content you’re getting. Plans start from $9.99/month, and there are three plans to choose from. Netflix also has a mobile app that you can download to your Apple iPhone, Android device, or tablet. You can also stream Netflix on your PS4 and PS5. The platform is easy to use, easy to navigate and has kid-friendly features that restrict content unintended for children.
In addition to all that, you can stream Netflix in 4K with their Premium Plan. Netflix isn’t a television streaming platform, but a service that offers tons of content.
IFVOD TV – Best Free Platform
If you’re interested in a platform with more than 900 channels, then IFVOD TV is the one to go for. What makes this service so good is that it’s free. A standout feature, no doubt, IFVOD TV has a user-friendly interface that you can launch through any device. From the 900 free channels, you’ll find plenty of content that appeals to you. There are sports channels, news channels, movie channels, documentary shows, and more. Due to the sheer amount of diversity, IFVOD TV has to be one of the best free TV streaming platforms out there.
With all that said, IFVOD TV is a Chinese-based streaming service. The majority of channels are Chinese. But one thing that might surprise you is that there are no geographical restrictions. You can watch IFVOD anywhere in the world, and anyone can sign up for their free service.
YouTube TV – Best TV Streaming Service
Not many people are familiar with YouTube TV and the wide range of television content members get. YouTube TV isn’t free, but it’s cheap enough to replace your cable subscription. With more than 100 television channels to stream, YouTube TV offers users all kinds of content. They allow streaming of ESPN and NBC Sports, which is impressive as that’s more sports coverage than the normal person needs.
With the base subscription, which costs $64.99, you can set up three devices and six profiles. You can even record shows and sports games to watch later on. There is no limit on how much you can record, as YouTube makes this feature free of charge for everyone. However, recordings will erase after nine months. So that gives you plenty of time to revisit what you’ve recorded.
fuboTV – Best For Sports Streaming
Even though YouTube TV has impressive sports coverage, nothing beats the sports coverage of fuboTV. FuboTV is great for those who want access to local and international sports games. In addition to ESPN, you get access to college sports and the NFL network. So fuboTV will allow access to NFL games, college basketball, NBA, soccer, and more. Much like YouTube TV, you can record and store on the cloud. However, fuboTV gives you no more than 250 hours of storage.
There is a Spanish version of the platform, which costs $33 on top of the base cost of $64.99. For $79.99 a month, you get fuboExtra. FuboExtra ups the ante and gives you 1,000 hours of cloud storage and eliminates the three-screen restrictions you get with the base plan.
DirecTV Stream – Best For Building Your Own Package
Maybe you’re not a fan of sports and want more entertainment. Fear not, that’s where DirecTV Stream comes into play. One of the standout features of DirecTV Stream is that you can build your own television package. The base plan includes channels from all genres, while you can pay extra to get additional channels. The base plan includes channels from HBO, Starz, and Showtime. So right out the bat, there is enough content to replace your boring cable television subscription.
DirectTV Stream allows you 20 hours of cloud storage, but you can upgrade to unlimited hours for just $10. With that said, the lower plan costs $69.99, which is more than YouTube TV and fuboTV. To get the desired content, you’ll need to pay for extras. While DirecTV Stream offers all kinds of discounts on packages, many of them require signing up for a 12-month plan. So you can sign up for one month with no obligations to continue your subscription, but getting the desired content might require you to sign a contract for a year.
DirecTV is great for AT&T customers. Since the service is owned by the company, you do save a bit by choosing a DirecTV and internet bundle.
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