Field of streams: Entertainment platforms ranked

Graphic courtesy of Cameron Villnave

It’s been around for a decade or two now; streaming movies and TV shows directly to your TV using one of the many provided streaming services with features catered to audiences of all types. With four main streaming services dominating peoples’ televisions, it begs the question of which one of these television giants gives you the best bang for your buck? The big four I am referring to are; Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney +, and Max.

The way these services will be rated will be based on the following qualities; the quantity and variety of movies and shows, the cultural impact its releases have, and finally the pricing and what is included with each plan. So, without further ado, let’s have a look at our services

Netflix is regarded as the pioneering streaming service that boomed in popularity when it first came out and is still going strong today. Nearly everyone has heard of Netflix and is host to some of the most culturally impactful original shows such as “Squid Game,” “Wednesday,” and “Stranger Things.” The service offers a wide range of movies and TV shows from romance to drama to thrillers. As for its pricing, it can get a little dicey. $7.99 is the cheapest plan but that comes with the price of having to watch ads before and in between your programs. In my opinion, it leaves a pretty bad taste in my mouth when I have to sit through ads on something I’m paying for. Not only that but to view without ads, it’s an additional $10 for a total of $17.99 and then some if one wanted more profiles on the plan. Finally, there is a premium plan that allows for four different devices to stream at once at the highest quality of 4k (Ultra HD). I suppose options should be weighed but Netflix definitely has a lot to choose from.

Amazon Prime Video is a bit different when it comes to streaming services in that it serves more as an online movie and show marketplace. It, of course, offers its own high production originals like “The Lord of The Rings: Rings of Power,” “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” “Invincible,” and “The Boys” to name a few, however it also hosts many indie films or documentaries for any person or small team just looking to host their projects. This is where I believe its strengths lie because though it has some pretty impactful originals, they are very limited into specific subcultures rather than taking the world by storm like many of Netflix’s.

Having a streaming platform that allows nearly anyone to sell their works on is pretty unique. Now as I said, it is more of a shop and so while there is a monthly membership rate of $8.99 a month, this mainly applies to its originals and select movies that are placed here. Other movies and TV shows that are unaffiliated are paid for separately through individual pricing. Prime Video definitely works differently than the other services listed, however it certainly brings its own unique strengths.

Disney + has reached far beyond what it initially was. Alongside the Disney original works, they now own the rights to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars, National Geographic, the entire library of Hulu, and ESPN live sports and highlights. It’s safe to say that Disney + isn’t lacking in the variety department with the sheer amount of IPs that it has under its belt all of which have impacted the world culturally to some degree. I mean, everyone has heard of Disney and at least one of the other IPs they own. They even acquired a huge stake in Hulu allowing for their users to now have access to the entire Hulu streaming platform under their plan. And get this, it’s only $16.99 a month. All of the Disney IPs, plus Hulu, plus ESPN. It’s a pretty good deal. There is an ad option as well at $10.99 a month but, again, paying for ads. Disney, even in the streaming space, continues to be a company to be reckoned with.

Finally, we come to Max. Max has definitely served some series that spoke to generations and people of all interests like “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “The Sex Lives of College Girls,” “Succession,” and the renowned “Game of Thrones” and not to mention the owning of DC’s IP which goes beyond just superheroes, mind you. It certainly has its fair share of series arguably rivaling Netflix. One place it is beating out Netflix is its prices. While its plan with ads costs two dollars more than Netflix’s at $9.99, its standard plan is one dollar less at $16.99 and its premium four dollars less at $20.99. Some pretty good prices for some pretty good content!

So finally, reviewing the prices, content and cultural impact; in my subjective opinion, I am honestly tied between Netflix and Disney +. I feel as though objectively these two are pretty neck in neck as well and it all comes down to personal preference of how much one is willing to pay for the quality of content. I think Disney has content that really speaks to specific audiences for a good price but Netflix has brought some really impactful originals without the crazy reputation Disney and its owned IPs started with.

All of that aside, it really is up to the viewer. Do you value a service that offers jaw-dropping series that will impact a generation, or a simple service for a low price with anything you can just flip on when you have some downtime? Whatever floats your boat!