Which streamers should you keep, cut in January?
Which streamers should you keep, cut in January?
‘Stranger Things’ may be over at long last, but the NFL playoffs are just heating up!
Welcome to 2026, loyal readers! We at The Streamable are so excited for the year to come; there are some huge premieres coming to top streaming services this year, and the hits start right away in January with some hotly anticipated debuts. And of course, the onset of January means a huge number of live sporting events are hitting live TV channels as well.
But undoubtedly, the holiday season came with a little overspending for many readers. With that in mind, we are back with our customary list of streaming services you should definitely stick with to start off 2026, and which you can safely cancel in January.
Which streamers should you keep, cut this month?
Streamers to keep
HBO Max
As a fan of the works of George R. R. Martin, I’m of two minds about the release of “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” on HBO Max on Jan. 18. On the one hand, I’m frustrated that continuing to produce spinoffs of Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” novel series has kept the author far too busy to actually write the novels in that series, as we approach yet another year in which there is precisely zero hope of the release of the next book in the series, “The Winds of Winter.”
On the other hand, I have (to varying degrees) enjoyed “House of the Dragon” since it was first released, and I am genuinely excited for “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.” The series will tell the story of Ser Duncan the Tall, one of the most legendary knights in Westeros. Accompanied by his small squire Egg, Ser Duncan’s deeds inspire a tale that is told generations after his death, and it should make for a highly entertaining story on the screen as well.
Watch a trailer for ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’
Also coming to HBO Max in January is the fourth season of the corporate drama series “Industry,” which bows on Jan. 11. The series is always a huge hit with critics, and is sure to have fans talking all throughout the run of Season 4. And who could forget that Season 2 of “The Pitt” is debuting on Jan. 8, for what is likely to be another award-winning batch of episodes. With these three titles making their way to HBO Max in January, it’s impossible to recommend letting the streamer go during the month.
HBO Max
HBO Max is a subscription video streaming service that gives access to the full HBO library and 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. Within HBO Max, B/R Sports allows users to watch live NBA, MLB, NHL, March Madness, and NASCAR events.
Apple TV
Apple TV is another service that has a couple of major hits coming back in January, starting with Season 2 of “Hijack” on Jan. 14. Idris Elba returns as Sam Nelson, a highly skilled corporate negotiator who once again finds himself on a collision course with a group of hijackers — this time while on a train in Berlin. Will Sam be able to save the lives of each passenger, or will his skills prove unequal to the deadly task at hand?
See the trailer for ‘Hijack’ Season 2
“Shrinking” also has a new season of episodes bound for Apple TV in January; the comedy series will roll out its third season on Jan. 28. Tonally, the show serves as quite a departure from the thriller “Hijack,” but I think it’s a highly poignant look at the ways real people deal with grief, loss, and forgiveness.
Apple TV
Apple TV (formerly known as Apple TV+) is a subscription video streaming service for $14.99 per month, offering a growing slate of original series, films, documentaries, and specials. Unlike other platforms that combine licensed titles with originals, Apple TV is built entirely around exclusive programming, making it the home of critically acclaimed hits such as “Ted Lasso,” “Severance,” “The Morning Show,” and “Silo.” Its lineup continues to expand with award-winning dramas, comedies, family-friendly shows, and blockbuster original films like “CODA,” which won the Academy Award for Best Picture.
DIRECTV
Normally, we reserve this exercise for on-demand streaming services, but there’s ample reason to keep a subscription to a live TV streaming service this month. The continuation of the College Football Playoff, the start of the NFL playoffs, and a huge selection of other live sports in January demand that fans make sure they have a subscription to a service that offers all the channels they need to keep watching.
While there are several options to pick from, DIRECTV is our favorite because of the number of choices customers have to watch top sports. Signature plans offer local channels like ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC, as well as national sports networks such as ESPN, alongside other cable news and entertainment channels. Alternatively, viewers can pick the MySports Genre Pack and only pay for sports channels, while cutting out the fluff.
DIRECTV plans even come with a five-day free trial if you choose to receive your package through your own streaming device. It’s a fantastic all-in-one option to stream all the live sports that January has to offer, and we think it’s indispensable this month.
DIRECTV
DIRECTV is one of The Streamable’s top choices for the best live TV streaming service overall in 2026, especially for users who want the most channels or want to watch the most live sports. With an unbeatable lineup of local, news, sports, and entertainment channels, three main signature packages, an unlimited DVR, and 20 simultaneous streams at home, DIRECTV remains a premier choice for any cord-cutter.
Streamers to cut
Netflix
Before you clutch your elaborate brooches in horror, “Bridgerton” fans, I promise I didn’t forget you. But Season 4, Part 1 of the beloved period romance series doesn’t premiere on Netflix until Jan. 29, and if viewers can wait that long, there really aren’t a huge list of other top titles to stream on the service in January.
With “Stranger Things” calling it a wrap at the end of December, there’s really not a compelling need to keep Netflix throughout the month of January unless you want to watch its extensive catalog instead.
Netflix
Netflix is a leading subscription-based video streaming service that offers on-demand access to an extensive library of over 3,000 movies, 2,000+ TV shows, and a growing collection of acclaimed Netflix originals. Renowned for producing groundbreaking content, Netflix has become a cultural powerhouse with hit originals like “Stranger Things,” “Wednesday,” “Squid Game,” “The Crown,” “Tiger King,” “Bridgerton,” “The Witcher,” and “Black Mirror.”
Peacock
Fans of “The Traitors” will no doubt scoff at Peacock’s place on the list here, and indeed the popular reality series is bringing its fourth season to the streamer on Jan. 8. But other than that, there are no major Peacock original premieres slated for January, and no blockbuster movie releases that can’t wait until February at least. And even though Peacock will offer any NFL playoff games appearing on NBC, fans can also watch those games with a subscription to DIRECTV, as mentioned above.
Peacock
Peacock is a subscription video streaming service from NBCUniversal that includes original shows, blockbuster movies, and classic television series. Peacock is home to “Yellowstone,” “The Office,” and original hits like “Poker Face” and “Bel-Air.” You can also watch live sports and NBC programming, including the NFL, MLB, WWE, the Olympics, the Premier League, NASCAR, the French Open, college football and basketball, and the PGA Tour. Premium Plus subscribers can stream their local NBC feed in all 210 markets.