Yahoo News Which streaming service is the best value?
An in-depth look at the major UK streaming services, pricing, and specialties
In an ever-expanding world of streaming choices, determining which service offers the best value can be a daunting task.
We break down major UK streaming platforms, highlighting their pricing structures, delving into their core strengths, and exploring their impact on the industry.
So whether you're a Love Island fan, or Marvel hero follower, love a British classic, or want to do a deep dive into a documentary, here's our guide with different services, pricing, and specialties to find which streaming platform is the one for you.
Netflix — Binge-worthy series
Subscription prices: £4.99 Basic with Ads plan, Standard for £10.99, and Premium at £15.99
Global streaming giant Netflix has a market cap of $157.61bn, with a colossal collection of movies, TV shows, and binge-worthy original content that spans across various genres.
An industry leader in the streaming revolution, it is known for its vast movie library and commitment to producing high-quality original series and films including the supernatural hit Stranger Things, Martin Scorsese's cinematic masterpiece The Irishman, and the royal saga The Crown.
Read more: Netflix earnings: The streaming giant is now firing off a lot of free cash
Whether you're binge-watching the latest teen drama series or a family enjoying a cosy movie night, Netflix has something for everyone.
Even celebrities are not immune to the allure of Netflix. The platform has earned the admiration of A-listers from Hollywood and beyond. Stars like Ryan Reynolds have signed a lucrative deal with Netflix for a string of original films.
Of all the streaming subscriptions, though, Netflix is the most pricy with subscriptions costing up to £15.99 and the cost is expected to continue to increase.
Disney+ — The place for Marvel and Star Wars content
Subscription prices: £7.99/month or £79.90/year
Disney+ is a major player in family-friendly streaming, it is part of the Disney conglomerate which boasts a revenue of over $300bn.
It is perfect for families, Disney enthusiasts, and fans of Marvel, Star Wars, and an array of hit US shows like FX's Reservation Dogs. Disney+ offers exclusive access to timeless classics like The Lion King and the epic superhero saga Avengers: Endgame.
It's also the home of the iconic Star Wars series The Mandalorian, which has captured the hearts of fans young and old.
One huge celebrity fan is the actor and former professional wrestler, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. From sharing heartwarming moments with his daughters while watching Disney classics to starring in Disney's own film Jungle Cruise.
Disney+ offers subscriptions at a lower price to Netflix, but if you're not interested in the latest Marvel, Star Wars or Disney release then this may not be the subscription for you.
Prime Video — For the latest blockbusters and big-budget series
Subscription prices: Membership costs £8.99 per month or for an annual subscription costing £95 per year
Prime Video is part of Amazon, one of the world's largest e-commerce companies with a market cap of approximately $1.6trn.
Movie buffs, original series aficionados, and those looking for a blend of entertainment and e-commerce perks are likely to enjoy this subscription service.
Prime Video offers a rich selection of movies, series, and exclusive content to Amazon Prime members. You can find The Boys, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, and Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power on the platform.
Earlier this year Bollywood actor Priyanka Chopra Jonas teamed up with Richard Madden in spy action thriller, Citadel.
Prime Video releases the latest blockbusters on streaming first, and has some interesting big-budget shows on offer like The Rings of Power. In terms of original content, it offers less than, say, Netflix but the perks of watching the biggest movies first, and also having access to Amazon Prime benefits might say potential subscribers to this option.
NOW — For the latest Sky releases and hit US shows
Subscription prices: Entertainment Membership (£9.99/month), Cinema Membership (£9.99/month), Sky Sports Membership (£34.99/month)
NOW is part of Sky, a major player in the UK media industry, acquired by Comcast, valued at over $250bn.
Whether you're interested in catching blockbuster films like The Suicide Squad, revisiting Christopher Nolan's mind-bending Inception, or diving into the intricate world of Game of Thrones and Succession, NOW offers a plethora of options.
For fans of Sky content, including the latest movies, premium TV shows, and live sports events, NOW serves as a gateway to Sky's extensive range of content and live sports broadcasts.
The streaming platform offers several subscriptions to users such as an Entertainment package, a movies membership, and a sports package meaning it offers the most diverse range of content for subscribers in the UK.
Paramount+ — For the Trekkies and Taylor Sheridan fans
Subscription prices: £6.99 a month, with an option to cancel any time
Part of ViacomCBS, Paramount+ is a media conglomerate with a market cap of around $38 billion so has the financial muscle to deliver premium content.
Paramount+ is a haven for lovers of Paramount movies, CBS series, and exclusive content like Star Trek. This platform is the place to be for Trekkies, as every single iteration of the Star Trek franchise is available to watch on the streamer.
If you're a fan of thrilling blockbusters Paramount Pictures movies like A Quiet Place Part II, or the action-packed Mission: Impossible and Transformers franchises are available on this platform, making it a cinematic paradise.
Paramount+ is also the place to be for any of Taylor Sheridan's hit shows, the filmmaker has taken the US by storm with programmes like Yellowstone, Mayor of Kingstown, and Yellowstone spin-offs like 1883. To see any of these, and know what fans are raving about, this is the subscription for you.
In terms of cost, Paramount+ offers one of the cheaper subscriptions for fans but it offers a very specific set of shows and films for viewers.
Apple TV+ — For quality original content
Subscription prices: A monthly subscription is just £6.99 per month
Apple TV+ is a streaming service offered by Apple Inc. available in 100 countries, and provides access to a variety of original content, including TV shows, movies, documentaries, and more.
One of Apple TV+’s successful comedy series is Ted Lasso, a heartwarming comedy series about an American football coach hired to manage a British soccer team, and it was nominated for 23 Emmy Awards including Outstanding Comedy Series in 2023.
The streaming platform's famous movies include Coda, which won the Oscar for Best Pictures in 2022, and the psychological horror series Servant, produced by M. Night Shyamalan.
Documentaries on Apple TV+ have included early content like The Elephant Queen to The Pigeon Tunnel based on the life of spy writer John le Carré in October, and for Halloween the streamer is set to release The Enfield Poltergeist.
The streaming platform focuses on releasing quality original content and so its catalogue is full of new shows and films, so viewers looking for old favourites to re-watch won't find any on here.
Apple TV+ offers three months free subscription if you purchase one of their devices, or a normal subscription is £6.99 per month without commitment. If you're looking for classics this is not the streaming platform for you but those on the hunt new original content it's a perfect match.
ITVX — For your reality TV fix
Subscription price: Free with ads or £5.99/month for ITVX+ Premium
ITV is a prominent UK broadcaster listed on the London Stock Exchange, with a value of approximately £3bn and a focus on TV content.
ITVX caters to fans of ITV content, from news to shows and sports coverage. If you enjoy classic British TV content, this platform is your ticket to relive ITV's best moments and enjoy the best of reality TV.
From dramas like Downton Abbey, to gripping crime drama series Unforgotten which follows two detectives as they solve cold cases, to reality TV shows like Love Island or I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! and Big Brother, ITVX offers a rotating selection of content from these genres.
The platform also streams documentaries like The Secret Life of 4, 5 and 6 Year Olds, and a series of investigative documentaries that delve into various social and political issues in Exposure. There are also classics like Inspector Morse, and the long-running British soap opera Coronation Street, fans have a huge selection to choose from.
In terms of price, ITVX is free to watch with ads but for those who prefer not to see those they can pay £3.99 in order to access ITVX+ Premium.
BBC iPlayer — For the best of British dramas and reality TV
Subscription price: Free for UK residents with a TV licence
BBC iPlayer, funded by the public, offers a cost-effective way for UK residents to enjoy a wide array of high-quality British content.
It's not just TV; it's a platform for for enthusiasts of British dramas, documentaries, and current programming. From Benedict Cumberbatch's Sherlock to Sir David Attenborough's Blue Planet II, it covers various TV genres.
You can catch up on recent BBC programmes, watch live TV, and explore science, history, and children's shows as long as you have a TV licence.
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It's not the BBC without news and analysis via Newsnight and Question Time and programmes like Strictly Come Dancing.
For comedy lovers, there's Fleabag and the comedy-drama series exploring the life of a witty young woman and the UK version of this mockumentary-style comedy series created by Ricky Gervais, The Office. And of course, classic BBC programmes like Pride and Prejudice are just a click away.
Keep in mind that the programme line-up evolves, so check the platform for the latest offerings.
The availability of specific programmes on BBC iPlayer may change over time, but given the streamer is free it is one of the more cost-effective platforms to use.
Channel 4 — For the bakers and investigative documentary fans
Subscription prices: Free with ads or Channel 4+ for £3.99/month or £39.99 p/year
Channel 4, a public broadcaster, is a UK entertainment hub. It offers exclusive shows, beloved British movies, and the choice for an ad-free experience with its self-titled streaming platform.
It's for those seeking diverse British content, from edgy series to timeless classics, as well as reality hits like The Great British Bake Off of Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins.
From gripping dramas like Partygate, to documentaries like 24 Hours in Police Custody, or the hilarious Taskmaster, there's something for everyone on the platform.
For something more entertaining the reality show Gogglebox provides hilarious commentary from ordinary folk on various tv programmes, or switch to a heartwarming dating show like First Dates capturing the highs and lows of dating in a delightful manner.
Channel 4 has it all, documentaries, dramas, comedies, iconic films, and even sports moments. It is free with adverts, or users can pay £3.99 per month to watch shows without adverts.
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Watch: The trailer for Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins
