As we close the 2021 chapter, it’s time to say hello to new beginnings and (hopefully) a brand new year with positive changes. The one thing that will stay stagnant, thankfully, is the reliability of on-demand and live TV streaming services with all the great content they have to offer.
We’ve ranked the Best Streaming Services of 2022, and platforms such as Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max all made the list.
Read on to find out more about what each service has to offer.
Why You Should Try These Streaming Services in 2022
-
Netflix
Netflix is a subscription video streaming service that includes on-demand access to 3,000+ movies, 2,000+ TV Shows, and Netflix Originals like Stranger Things, Squid Game, The Crown, Tiger King, and Bridgerton. They are constantly adding new shows and movies. Some of their Academy Award-winning exclusives include Roma, Marriage Story, Mank, and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.
The must-have streaming service had a lot of success in 2021. With the new releases of “Squid Game,” which became the most-watched series in Netflix history with 111 million views in just 28 days, and “Red Notice”, plus the launch of their new mobile games, as well as their newest feature “Kids Clips,” there is a lot more exciting things to come.
New releases coming to Netflix in 2022 are seasons of “The Umbrella Academy,” “Locke & Key,” and “Stranger Things,” as well as releases such as “Archive 81,” “Resident Evil,” “Cyberpunk: Edgerunners,” “Vikings: Valhalla,” and many more.
What stands the platform apart from other streaming services, is that it is one of the few services that supports both offline downloads, plus 4K and HDR streaming. Also, if you are one of those people who take hours to find what they want to watch, Netflix has a Shuffle Play feature.
While it is priced higher than some other services, the original content and other quality entertainment are hard to pass up.
-
Disney+
Disney+ is a video streaming service with over 13,000 series and films from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, The Muppets, and more. It is available in 61 countries and 21 languages. It is notable for its popular original series like “The Mandalorian,” “Ms. Marvel,” “Loki,” “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” and “Andor.”
Disney+ is still head to head with Netflix, devising a plan to release original series whether it be the 50 new Asian originals or fresh content from its various studios such as Marvel, Pixar, LucasFilm, and Disney Pictures, there is a lot to look forward to in the next upcoming months. For instance, the “Ice Age” franchise continues with the upcoming release of “The Adventures of Buck Wild.” Other hits arriving to the streaming service includes “Eternals” and additional chapters of “The Book of Boba Fett.”
Disney+ also supports 4K streaming and offline downloads (on mobile). The service allows for four simultaneous streams and seven customizable profiles, which makes it a compelling option for families.
-
Hulu
Hulu is a video streaming service that gives access to thousands of full seasons of exclusive series, hit movies, kids shows, and Hulu Originals like “Only Murders in the Building,” and “The Handmaid's Tale.”
Not only will the streaming service be releasing a lot more diverse content for its subscribers, but also Disney’s large investment will potentially replace Comcast’s library with lots of new titles.
A lot of documentaries will be hitting Hulu in 2022 such as the new doc “Pharma Bro,” as well as “Women of the Movement” and “Ailey.” There will also be a new steamy original called “Sex Appeal” among many others.
As for Hulu + Live TV, they have raised its prices which includes the bundle of ESPN+ and Disney+.
-
Max
Max is a subscription video streaming service that gives access to the full HBO library, along with exclusive Max Originals. There are hubs for content from TLC, HGTV, Food Network, Discovery, TCM, Cartoon Network, Travel Channel, ID, and more. Watch hit series like “The Last of Us,” “House of the Dragon,” “Succession,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” and more. Thanks to the B/R Sports add-on, users can watch NBA, MLB, NHL, March Madness, and NASCAR events.
Once discovery+ merges with HBO Max, CNN, and Warner Bros., the company will be unstoppable. David Zaslav even reported that he expects to spend $20 billion on content. Regardless, the Discovery/Warner organization will be the talk of the streaming world.
“Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts” will be hitting the platform in 2022 along with the new historic drama, “The Gilded Age,” as well as the series “Peacemaker,” among many others.
HBO Max has all the features that other top on-demand streaming services offer like offline downloads on mobile devices, support for up to five viewing profiles, three simultaneous streams, audio descriptions, and more.
-
Fubo
Fubo is a live TV streaming service with about 90 top channels that start at $79.99 per month. This plan includes local channels, 25 of the top 35 cable channels, and regional sports networks (RSNs). In total, you should expect to pay about $91.99 per month, after adding in their RSN Fee. Fubo was previously known as “fuboTV.”
In 2021, fuboTV launched its new Sportsbook, the mobile app that recommends relevant bets based upon what users are streaming. Although it is only available in a couple states, it will be released in several others by 2022.
Also, CEO David Gandler hinted that there is “more to come,” suggesting TNT and TBS will be available once again. Which means Discovery channels are likely to show up back again, an exciting addition for some viewers who aren’t focused on sports.
fuboTV has a lot of features such as DVR capabilities (250-1,000 hours), three simultaneous streams, and the Lookback feature which lets you watch what you missed up to 72 hours after it first aired. There is also the Startover capability that allows you to watch currently airing events from the beginning no matter when you tuned in.
-
Sling TV
Sling TV is a live TV streaming service that helps users save money with the option of two distinct plans. The $40/month “Sling Orange” plan offers about 30 channels, including Disney Channel and ESPN. The $40/month “Sling Blue” plan offers about 40 channels, including Fox and NBC local channels.
Thanks to the return of NFL and College Football, the service added 117K subscribers in Q3 2021. Plus, the newer overhauled interface prioritizes simpler navigation, an improved grid guide, better personalization, and easier access to content.
There were so many deals and discounts for Sling TV that if you don’t have it by 2022, then you’re missing out. The channel lineup includes NFL Network, FOX News, BET, CNN, ESPN, and AMC, depending on which package that you select. The live TV service comes with 50 hours of cloud DVR space.
-
Philo
Philo is a live TV streaming service designed for entertainment lovers which includes 60+ channels for $25 per month. It’s an especially attractive option for fans of live TV who don’t watch sports.
As one of the least expensive Live TV Streaming Services out there, Philo packs mighty punch for just $25. It includes live channels from ViacomCBS like MTV and Paramount Network, Discovery like HGTV, TLC, & Food Network, Hallmark, A+E, and more.
But what makes it special is its Unlimited DVR that lets you keep your content for up to a year. This is great to build an on-demand library of your favorite shows where you can skip all of the commercials.
-
YouTube TV
YouTube TV is a live TV streaming service with more than 60 channels for $72.99/month. This plan includes local channels, 32 of the top 35 cable channels, and regional sports networks (RSNs) in select markets. The service includes an unlimited DVR.
Although the Disney dispute caused more than 17 Disney-owned channels to disappear, the channels luckily came back and with over 85 channels on YouTube TV, it can pretty much replace your cable service. So treat yourself for the new year and get access to HGTV, Comedy Central, Food Network, Disney, PBS, BET, MTV, and Nick Jr. along with several sports channels like ESPN, NFL Network, MLB Network, and more.
A subscription to YouTube TV lets you stream content simultaneously on three different devices and have up to six profiles. It also includes unlimited DVR cloud storage at no extra cost and allows you to keep recordings for nine months.
Those who didn’t make the list like Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video, Peacock, and DIRECTV STREAM are also great contenders that The Streamable recommends.
And if you want more niche streaming services you can always try:
- Sundance Now - $6.99 / month
- MagellanTV (documentaries) - $5.99 / month
- HooplaKidz Plus - $2.99 / month
- Funimation (anime) - $7.99-$9.99 / month
- Broadway HD (musicals, plays, concerts) - $8.99 / month
- Medici.tv (classical music, operas, ballets) - $12.99 / month
- Classix (older films) - $3.99 / month
- Shudder (horror/cult) - $6.99 / month
- Revry (LGBT) - $6.99 / month
- Brown Sugar (classic Black films) - $3.99 / month
- Chai Flicks (Jewish entertainment) - $5.99 / month
- PureFlix (Christian entertainment) - $12.99 / month
- BallerTV (youth sports) - $7.99-$19.99 / month
- Cowboy Channel+ (rodeo) - $9.99 / month
See the full list here: Online Streaming Services
You may also see our guide for the Best Free Streaming Services ►