This page links to reviews for various streaming services we’ve covered on Grounded Reason.
Live Streaming Services (Cable-like)
People want live-TV streaming services like Hulu Live TV, Sling TV, Philo, Fubo TV, DIRECTV STREAM, Vidgo, or YouTube TV when replacing cable TV. This section covers a ton of streaming services for you to choose from that replace the channels you typically see on a cable or satellite TV service.
Before we get into a description of each service, we know many readers are just curious about the channel offerings of each TV streaming service. We’ve linked those below for your convenience.
- Hulu Live Channel List
- YouTube TV Channel List
- Philo TV Channel List
- fuboTV Channel List
- Vidgo Channel List
- Sling TV Channel List
- DIRECTV STREAM Channel list
Premium Streaming Services
Premium Streaming Services are streaming services that provide content to a specific network or distributor. Here are the top premium streaming services available now.
Disney+
Disney+ is a Disney owned OTT (over the top) subscription-based streaming service. The service will provide video-on-demand content from Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, National Geographic, and the recently acquired 20th Century Fox.
Not only does the service have original shows like the must-see Star Wars bounty hunter space western, The Mandalorian and Marvel’s Loki but much much more:
- The entire Disney Movie Vault
- Every Pixar Movie and shorts
- All of Disney’s Star Wars movies and TV shows will be moving to Disney+ within its first year of launch
- 30 seasons of The Simpsons
- Over 5,000 episodes of Disney Channel shows (Includes Disney Jr, Disney XD, etc.)
- A ton of Muppets Content
- Original Shows and more which we will cover later in this article
The service costs only $$$ per month. (sign up here.)
For information on device compatibility, features, deals, and a list of everything available, see our article: Everything You Need to Know about Disney+.
ESPN+
ESPN+ is not a replacement for ESPN. It’s a service that provides premium ESPN content through the ESPN app. On ESPN+, you can watch UFC Fight Night, MLB, NHL, The PGA Tour, World Soccer, College sports, and more. Check out our guide to what’s on ESPN+ for more information on the content available.
ESPN+ through the ESPN App supports Roku Players and TVs, Amazon Fire TV devices, Chromecast, Apple TV, Android, iPhone, Samsung TVs, Xbox One, and PS4. An ESPN+ subscription costs only $9.99 per month. There is no contract so you can cancel any time you like. In addition to ESPN, Disney also owns Hulu and the Disney+ streaming service. You can get Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ just $13.99 by signing up here!
Starz
Don’t want to miss out on hit shows like Outlander or American Gods? Check out this free trial for Starz. You can watch Starz on-demand or live without having a cable TV subscription. For information on the Starz app, read my post on watching Starz Without Cable.
Showtime
If shows like Billions on Showtime are more your speed, then no need to worry. There are tons of ways to watch Showtime online. For details, check out my post on how to watch Showtime without cable.
HBO Max
HBO Max is the new TV streaming service from AT&T that combines all your favorite HBO Shows and Turner Media shows in one place. HBO Max is replacing HBO Now as more devices become supported on the HBO Max platform. There are numerous ways to get the service. All of which are highlighted in my posts on watching HBO Now and HBO Max.
Paramount+
Paramount+ is a streaming service offering TV shows, movies, and exclusive original content from CBS, BET, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures, Smithsonian Channel, and more. Paramount+ also provides a way to watch your local CBS Network. The service starts at $5.99 per month and does air commercials. However, they offer a commercial-free plan for $9.99 per month. For more details, check out my review of Paramount+.
Check out this 7-day free trial to see if you like it. There is no contract so you can cancel anytime.
Peacock
Peacock is an over the top streaming service from NBCUniversal, with video-on-demand and some live events. While most TV Shows and moves are from the NBCUniversal libraries, there is also a lot of third-party content available from Lionsgate, Starz, Warner Bros, A&E Networks, ViacomCBS, Paramount, Cinedigm, and more. The service has ad-supported and ad-free plans. Check out our review of Peacock for more details.
Discovery+
Discovery+ is an on-demand subscription-based streaming service that offers on-demand content from several TV networks and exclusive original shows. Discover+ offers content from Discovery Inc. owned networks while partnering with A&E Networks, the BBC’s Natural History collection, Group Nine, and more. Discovery+ service offers shows from networks like HGTV, Discovery Channel, Lifetime, History and many more.
After a 1-week free trial, a subscription to Discovery+ costs $4.99 per month for an ad-supported plan. However, subscribers can opt for an ad-free experience for $6.99 per month. See our review of Discovery+ for more details.
On-Demand Streaming Services
Amazon Prime
For vast libraries of movies and TV shows before the current season, I recommend getting the 30-day free trial to Amazon Prime. Another big reason to get Amazon Prime is the option of adding Showtime and Starz with your subscription. For just $8.99 per month, you have every TV show and movie offered by Starz and Showtime just as if you had the network with a cable provider.
Not only do you have access to stream over 40,000 hit movies and TV shows, but you get free music, books, and unlimited photo storage as well. Your membership also includes free 2-day shipping from Amazon.com regardless of the order size. Some metropolitan areas offer 2-hour shipping. For more information, check out all the benefits you receive in our Review of Amazon Prime Video.
Netflix
Netflix – Netflix has loads of content at a low price. Most TV shows wind up on streaming after a season airs. There are also movies and a whole host of children’s programming available. The pricing ranges from $6.99 – $19.99 a month, depending on the plan you choose. See our review of Netflix for more information on plans, pricing, and more. If you are comfortable waiting a few months for a TV series, Netflix may be all you need.
Hulu On-Demand Library
While Hulu’s on-demand streaming library is included when you subscribe to Hulu + Live TV, you can also get access to Hulu on-demand through its own subscription starting at $7.99 per month. This will provide access to Hulu Originals like The Handmaid’s Tale, Shrill, and The Act, along with popular TV shows on network and cable TV and the ability to subscribe to HBO, Showtime, Starz, and Cinemax.
Free TV and Other Options
Pluto TV
Pluto TV partners with various content providers to offer free TV and movies. The content is broken down into channels within Pluto TV. For example, if you like news Pluto TV offers NBC News, MSNBC, Sky News, Bloomberg, and more. There is also Crime Network, Funny AF, and IGN. As of the publish date of this article, there are over 250 channels available on Pluto TV. For more details check out our guide: What is Pluto TV?. You can also check out their website to get an idea of what they offer.
Tubi
Formerly known as Tubi TV, Tubi offers free TV and Movies. The service offers a good balance of big-budget movies, cult classics, along with some stuff you’ve likely never heard off. The service is a bit heavy on the ads compared to other free services. However, movies and TV are in high definition when available. For more details, check out our review of Tubi or visit their website.
CW App
The CW App lets anyone watch the current seasons of CW shows free. You don’t even need a cable TV login. It works on all major streaming devices, including Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Android, and iOS. Check here for more information.
Roku put out its own free channel. It’s worth having on your home screen as you can always find a quality movie to watch. In addition to movies and TV on The Roku Channel, the channel also aggregates content from American Classics, Fandor, FilmRise, Nosey, OVGuide, Popcornflix, Vidmark, and YuYu. The Roku Channel also has its own original content and provides a way to consolidate other premium streaming services into one location. Check out our review of the Roku Channel for more details.
More Free Content
There is just too much out there to list everything, but below is a list of places to start looking for free content online.
- Check out our list of the Best Free Roku Channels.
- Services like YouTube and Vimeo offer heaps of free content.
- See how to watch news for free
Many services also offer free trials if you want to binge on content. For example, CuriosityStream allows you to watch free documentaries online for seven days. After that, it’s only $2.99 per month.
List Of All Streaming Services
For your convenience we have an updated list of all streaming services we’ve covered below. The link takes you to our coverage of that specific streaming service.
Live TV Streaming Services
Premium Streaming Services
- Disney+
- ESPN+
- Paramount+
- HBO Max
- Apple TV+
- Prime Video
- Funimation
- Netflix
- HBO
- Showtime
- Starz
- Peacock
- Discovery+
- DAZN
- AMC+
- Acorn TV
- Sundance Now
- BritBox
- CuriosityStream
- Quibi
- Shudder
- Boomerang
- Noggin
- KlowdTV
Free TV Streaming Services
- Crackle
- Tubi TV
- Pluto TV
- Facebook Watch
- VRV (Verve)
- CrunchyRoll
- Comet
- ConTV
- Stirr
- Topic
- Kanopy
- Hoopla
- HappyKids.TV
- Classix (subscription is free, but app is a $3.99 one time fee)
We also have a page dedicated to Free Streaming Services.
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