If you’re lucky enough to have one of the biggest and best TVs on the market, all that gorgeous ultra high-definition tech is wasted unless you’ve got equally stunning shows to binge on it. Thanks to the rise of streaming entertainment, now there’s no need to miss out on any of your favourites – from home-grown shows like Baby Reindeer and Eric starring Benedict Cumberbatch; to smash hits from across The Pond like Fallout, The Boys season four, and Star Trek Strange New Worlds season three. The best TV subscription services have got you covered; but, with so many to choose from, which is best?
Your first port of call is to find the ones with your favourite shows and movies. If you want the regency romance of Bridgerton you'll need Netflix. If you're at one with The Force you'll only find Star Wars: Andor on Disney+. Prefer film? You'll find the latest blockbusters like Dune: Part II and The Fall Guy and more on Amazon Prime and others.
The best TV subscription services in 2024 at a glance:
• Best overall: Amazon Prime - View on Amazon
• Best value: Now - View on Now
• Best for TV shows: Apple TV Plus - View on Apple
• Best for movies: Paramount+ - View on Paramount+
Unfortunately, what you won't find is one or two amazing TV subscription services that contain everything. So, unless you have unlimited funds, you'll need to choose wisely. The two main considerations for choosing the best service for you are:
The range of content – are your favourites there plus a good choice of more critically acclaimed shows or movies?
The monthly subscription charge – If you're more of a casual viewer with a handful of favourites or just need to watch your budget, you'll probably need to be more selective. But, if you can, you might even want to subscribe to several - especially if you've splashed on a massive 80-inch TV and have nothing to watch on it.
We've put together a buyer's guide and some FAQs to help you decide. Overall though, the best TV subscription service for you is always going to be the one that has the most content that suits you. We’re here to help you choose from the very best entertainment the internet has to offer. Get that decision right, and you'll suddenly realise why that top-of-the-line 55-inch TV was worth every penny. The best TV subscription services for you are just a click away.
Best TV subscription services in 2024
Please note: All prices are correct at the time of writing. Prices, stock and deals are subject to change without notice.
Best overall
AmazonWith over 15,000 movies and TV shows altogether, there's very little Amazon Prime Video can't offer. What we really love about it is that even if something isn't included in your membership, you can always rent or purchase it too. Plus, you'll find several new series, such as The Boys, Clarkson's Farm and post-apocalyptic smash hit Fallout. You can also get an extended 30-day free trial.
While the top-tier content is unrivalled right now, you will come across a lot of average content too – but with so many titles to choose from you'll never get bored. Don't forget that being an Amazon Prime member gets you Prime Video and much more for a set monthly fee, faster deliveries, special deals and a lot more besides.
Pros
- Great for TV shows, both classic and new
- The most titles you're likely to find in one place
- Subscribing to Amazon Prime gets you more than just video
Cons
- Most but not all content is free, new releases will still cost you something
| Monthly cost | 8.99 |
| Number of titles | 15000+ |
Best for TV shows
Appletv.apple.com
Despite Amazon having a lot of the top-rated shows right now, Apple TV offers a ton of shows that aren't available elsewhere. We've definitely become obsessed with Presumed Innocent, The Morning Show, and For All Mankind which never ceases to entertain us with its tales from an alternate history. But, there's also plenty of child-friendly content on Apple TV Plus too, including Blush, The Snoopy Show, and the upcoming Time Bandits series.
Truth be told, there's very little to fault with Apple TV Plus when it comes to TV shows as it has over 6000 of them, all available whenever you fancy a binge-watch session. It does come with a seven-day free trial, but if you have an Apple device you get a whole three months free. What's not to like?
Pros
- Part of the Apple ecosystem
- Enormous choice
- Good hardware support
Cons
- Non-Apple fans may not gel with the UI
| Monthly cost | From £8.99 |
| Number of titles | 30,000+ movies and 6,500+ TV shows |
3.
NOW
Best value
Nowwww.nowtv.com
The truly excellent aspect of NOW (formerly NOW TV) is that you can tailor it to your preferences. You can add a Cinema or a Sports membership to your plan (for an additional price), so whether you love TV and you're ready to binge-watch House Of The Dragon or Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live, you can add sports to your package whenever you want to cheer on your favourite team. Plus, NOW comes with a free seven-day trial.
The best feature of this service is that if you don't want to watch TV for a while, you can switch to a movie subscription and vice versa. It's a great way to balance your costs at the same time as having the very latest entertainment at your fingertips. Being a Sky product makes this a sort of low-fat version of the full Sky Stream service.
Pros
- Excellent subscription flexibility means great value
- Sky Stream but cheaper
- Great for fans of the latest shows from the US
Cons
- Heavy watchers of certain genres may find content wears thin
| Monthly cost | From £6.99 |
| Number of titles | Over 1000 movies and 8000 TV shows |
4.
Paramount+
Best for movies
Paramountwww.paramountplus.com
A relative newcomer to the streaming TV market, Paramount+ is, of course, home to plenty of TV content from across the Atlantic, such as Star Trek, Frasier, The Castaways and 1923 (Harrison Ford’s TV debut).
All that said, Paramount+ gets the top spot on our list for movies on demand. Why? Because it's Paramount. The studio has been at the centre of the Hollywood film industry since the early days of cinema, so it should come as no surprise that its back catalogue is gargantuan. There are plenty of new movies premiering regularly too.
Pros
- Huge assortment of films, new and old
- The place to go for Star Trek fans and more A-grade content
- Also home to other excellent original content
Cons
- More limited catalogue than Amazon Prime Video or Netflix (but it's quality, not quantity)
| Monthly cost | From £6.99 |
| Number of titles | 3000+ |
5.
Disney+
Best for US content
Disney+www.disneyplus.com
There's very little not to love about Disney +, with an excellent price tag and a vast content library, it easily ranks amongst the best TV subscription services. From Loki to The Mandalorian, and Star Wars: The Aclyte; as well asother Marvel shows and films. We think it offers great content for all ages, making it ideal for families.
Elsewhere, hit US shows like Only Murders In The Building with Steve Martin and Martin Short, plus extras like Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour and historical action-drama Shogun really make Disney+ a streamer to do a deep dive into. And remember, it's home to all Disney content – and that now includes the Star Wars franchise.
Pros
- Home to much more than just Disney-animated movies
- Massive back-catalogue of titles
- Plenty of 4K content
Cons
- Interface is not the smoothest
| Monthly cost | from £4.99 |
| Number of titles | 7500+ |
6.
DAZN
Best for sports
DAZNwww.dazn.com
Created by DAZN Group, this premier sports subscription service specializes in delivering the best sports content from around the world. Known for its extensive coverage of various sports, DAZN is the go-to app for live events, on-demand matches, and exclusive sports shows.
You can catch everything from boxing, UFC, and NFL to darts, tennis and the Premier League; not to mention lots of live coverage too. We love that there's a great range of free-to-watch content as well, although – as comprehensive as DAZN is – you may still need to venture away from it for exclusive sporting events. But in general, if you’re looking to stay updated with live sports events or want to relive classic matches and highlights, this is the place. A great option for any sports enthusiast.
Pros
- Lots of sporting content in one place
- Lots of varied sports, including NFL, boxing golf, tennis and mixed martial arts
- A good range of free-to-watch content
Cons
- You may still need to go to other providers for sports that are exclusive to other channels
| Monthly cost | From £14.99 |
| Number of titles | Over 20 categories |
7.
Netflix
Best 4K
Netflixwww.netflix.com
Netflix has become synonymous with streaming services, offering original content that everyone has become obsessed with - from Squid Game to You to Selling Sunset. Netflix has dominated all genre areas, from thrillers to reality TV, and it certainly lives up to its reputation. It doesn't offer a free trial any longer, but the service can often be found bundled with other products and services for a lower price.
We're happy to report that the 4K offering here is enormous, so if you're the proud owner of a spanking new 65-inch TV, you're in for a visual treat.
Pros
- Probably the biggest library of them all
- Great range of titles and genres
- Excellent exclusive shows
Cons
- The quality of the content can dip the deeper you go
| Monthly cost | £4.99 Basic with ads, £6.99 Basic, £10.99 Standard, £15.99 Premium |
| Number of titles | 7400+ |
8.
Sky Stream
Best flexible
Sky streamwww.sky.com
When it comes to Sky TV, your content options are practically endless. Similarly to NOW TV, you can personalise your TV package so you get your ideal content. Get Sky Stream, and add Sky Sports, Cinema, Kids, Netflix, or all four with your bundle to get the best streaming content for you. Plus, Sky TV has over 350 channels, as well as over 500 box sets.
Content-wise, it's like the old Sky but without the need for the installation of a dish. So you'll get the most content you can find in one place - but at a price.
Pros
- Bang up-to-date content
- Great range of TV and movies from the UK and US
- Sky - but without a dish or set-top box
Cons
- Set up fee, but unlike satellite TV, there's no box to record on
| Monthly cost | £26 and upwards |
| Number of titles | Unknown |
And finally… some freebies
Sometimes a ‘subscription’ requires nothing more than your username and password. There’s a lot of free streaming content out there, with apps for most devices so you can enjoy entertainment on the go. Here’s the pick of the best.
9.
BBC iPlayer
Best free service for UK TV
BBCThis subscription service is completely free as long as you have your yearly TV license, it also boasts plenty of series you won't find the likes of on other services. From Rebus to The Tourist, The Outlaws, Doctor Who, Inside No.9, and more, BBC iPlayer's library has a wide range of outstanding content.
Pros
- Great catch-up service for terrestrial BBC content
- Some live broadcasts for those without Freeview or Freesat
- Some classic older shows on demand too
Cons
- Limited offering
| Monthly cost | Free (with TV licence fee) |
| Number of titles | Variable - follows broadcast schedule |
10.
Pluto TV
Best overall free
Pluto TVpluto.tv
As Pluto TV is owned by Paramount, there’s a brilliant selection of free entertainment, including live TV and box sets. There are over 40,000 titles in the library. And it's not all scrapings from the cutting room floor either. You can find content from networks like Nickelodeon, Comedy Central and MTV. Just some of the films on offer include Colin Firth’s 21 Grams, and John Carpenter’s Halloween. There’s a great selection of documentaries and lifestyle shows there too, and it won’t cost you a penny.
Pros
- Excellent range of shows and films
- Lots of vintage and classic content
- Parent company means Pluto is both free and probably here to stay
Cons
- Lots of B-movies
| Monthly cost | Free |
| Number of titles | 43000 |
How to choose the best TV subscription services for you
As we mentioned in the intro, firstly it's all about finding which ones host your favourite movies and shows. But, that's not the only thing to consider. Let's take a look at the rest.
Pricing and terms
As you can see from our list of recommended providers, there's a huge range of prices and packages on offer. Some are simpler than most. Our top pick, Amazon Prime Video, is one of the easier ones to plan for cost-wise, as it's a flat fee that includes a lot of benefits beyond video on demand. Other services, like Sky Stream, have a lot of packages available such as Sports, Kids and Cinema options. You should also look at the terms of your subscription, especially if you're on a budget, as you may need to choose a service that allows you to pay monthly and cancel any time you like.
App availability
Although all of the streaming TV services are very good at providing apps that work, they still need to be available on the devices you're watching on. Make sure that your smart TV, phone or tablet's app store has the ones you need. The good news is, though, that if your TV doesn't support your chosen app you can still buy a cheap streaming stick or box that has it and plug it right into the TV's HDMI port.
Watching on more than one device
Netflix is just one provider that restricts the number of devices you can watch on using one account, which prevent many viewers from sharing their logins with friends and family. With Netflix, if you go to a Premium plan, you can watch on four devices at once. So, depending on your neeeds, your choice of provider might have different rules on how many people can watch at once.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a TV licence for streaming services?
For several years there has been quite a bit of confusion over whether watching over the internet is the same as watching through an old-fashioned aerial. But, forget how your TV entertainment gets to you - think instead about what you’re watching. According to TV Licensing, the common rule to follow is whether or not what you’re enjoying on your TV is broadcast live. It doesn’t matter whether that’s through a Freeview aerial, satellite dish, app, or smart TV; if it’s a live broadcast, you’ll need a TV licence.
Amazon Prime, Netflix, and many other TV subscription services do indeed offer some live programming. So, you’ll need to consider what you’re watching if you don’t have a licence. Non-live and catch-up viewing also doesn’t need a licence. As always, legislation can change, so if you’re not a licence-holder always check with TV Licencing.
Do I need a smart TV to stream using a TV subscription service?
No. Although smart TVs have plenty of smart functions, some of them may not offer the TV subscription service you prefer; although many modern models do. If you don’t have a smart TV, or your 50-inch smart TV is slowly losing its smarts over time, you can always invest in a separate streaming device for all of your entertainment.
Is it easy to cancel my subscription?
Cancelling is almost always quick and easy. Most of the TV subscription service providers we’ve covered offer various ways to do this, normally only requiring a month’s notice. As always, check the cancellation terms before you subscribe.
How do I get streaming apps on my smart TV?
Most recent smart TVs have software built into them which features an app store. If the TV subscription services you’re after aren’t already pre-installed, it can usually be found in the store. The apps themselves are always free to download - but you’ll need to sign up for your subscription to be able to watch any content.
How we chose these products
We selected the best TV subscription services based on reliable and trusted brands, average user reviews, price, and suitability for each use case. We look carefully at the technical specifications of all products before we recommend them to ensure that they will meet buyers' needs without requiring modifications or costly additions to function as intended. With best TV subscription services in 2024, our main focus is on the amount and quality of available content, the type of content based on viewing habits, app availability and monthly cost. Our writers also choose products based on hands-on experience where we own or have reviewed them ourselves. Retailers are selected based on price, availability and reputation as reliable and trusted sellers.
Chris Duffill is a Senior Tech Writer and Reviewer for What's The Best. His background includes writing, editorial, marketing, design, video production and photography.
He specialises in home entertainment and audiovisual tech, including speakers, amplifiers, turntables, streaming media players, and TVs. He is also one of our resident experts in computing (PCs, tablets, smartphones, smartwatches), DSLR photography and all kinds of digital cameras. He also writes about retro gaming, game consoles and various electronic gadgets. If it plugs in, lights up or makes a noise, he’ll write about it.
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