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Streaming Services: A Comprehensive Guide for 2024:

The Evolution of Entertainment: Streaming OTC vs. Cable TV Services and the Best Platforms for Games, Video & Music

Hollywood strikes, Industry consolidations, COVID lockdowns, proliferation of 5G Omni-Channel Devices and every Game, Film & Music Studio seeking to monetize their catalogs…

Digital Disruption!
The entertainment industry has undergone a significant transformation in the past few years with the advent of Over-The-Top (OTT) streaming services that have revolutionized the way we consume media. Physical Media and Traditional Cable and Satellite TV, once the primary sources of entertainment, are now competing against more flexible and personalized platforms.

The Rise of Streaming Services
Streaming services began to gain traction in the mid-2000s with the launch of platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and YouTube. These services offered a new level of convenience and flexibility, allowing users to watch user generated content and their favorite shows and movies on-demand, without the need for a cable subscription. As internet speeds increased and more households gained access to high-speed internet, the popularity of these services soared.

In the early 2010s, the introduction of mobile Apps made streaming services even more portable and accessible compared to cable TV. Once seen as a less expensive alternative to traditional media, the cost of streaming has seen a significant increase over the years. From 2012 to 2022, streaming service prices rose by 48.90%, while cable and satellite prices rose by 33.84%.

The average monthly price of streaming rose from $7.55 to $11.24 over the few years and if trends continue, will triple, by the end of decade. Competition is evident as cable prices, however, have remained relatively stagnant, only rising 1% in this same time frame.

Streaming vs. Cable
While cable TV offers a wide range of channels and programming, it often comes with high costs and inflexible contracts. On the other hand, streaming services typically offer lower prices, no long-term contracts, and the ability to watch content on various devices. However, the cost of subscribing to multiple streaming services can add up, potentially surpassing the cost of a cable subscription.

This is certainly true in my case, as the cost of subscribing to AppleTV+ (AppleOne Bundle with iCloud, AppleArcade & AppleMusic ), Disney+ (D23 Promo w/ Star included as watch from Singapore), Paramount+ (Ad Tier), Prime Video (Ad Tier), SingTel (Singapore) and Xfinity (USA) Internet Subscriptions, surpass what my friends and parents pay for traditional Premium Cable TV, Phone & Internet Bundles.

Content, Pricing and Other Factors
When choosing a streaming service, several “other” factors come into play. These include the variety and quality of content, pricing, user interface and additional features such as offline playback or the ability to share accounts with multiple users.

Honestly, one of the things I miss most, since switching to streaming, I have lost the ability to “Turn on the TV” with something “good” automatically playing such as sports, news or a film or series.

With Streaming vs Cable TV, one must not only turn on the TV, turn on the Streaming Box, make sure you have the right VPN location activated, open a Streaming App (which might ask you to login), make sure the Streaming Speakers are connected and make sure the WiFi or wired Internet connection is working properly.

Sure, some of these steps are needed with Cable TV, but typically, it just works, with a single click. Rarely, is this the case with Streaming. The scenario detailed above, is my watching on the “Living Room” TV. When watching on my iPhone, iPad or MacBook, streaming, typically just works, so it’s not always a hassle.

Content
In terms of content, services like AppleTV+, Netflix and Warner Bros Discovery (HBO Max) are known for their original series and films, while Disney+ is popular for its deep library of family-friendly content and Paramount+ for their legacy catalog. Music platforms like Spotify and Apple Music offer extensive music libraries, while Tidal and Qobuz are preferred by audiophiles for their high-quality audio.

Quality of Original Content
One of the major selling points of many streaming services is their original content. Platforms like AppleTV+, HBO Max and Prime Video have invested heavily in creating their own TV shows and movies, many of which have received critical acclaim. Not all original programming is created equal, so be sure to read reviews before subscribing.

Pricing
Pricing is another crucial factor. As of 2024, streaming services have seen significant price increases. For instance, Netflix’s basic tier costs $9.99 per month, while its premium tier costs $22.99 per month. Meanwhile, Disney+ have also raised their prices and are now bundled with Hulu. I subscribed to Disney+ in November 2019 and am now paying 3x that introductory rate in just 4 years later in 2024.

Best Streaming Platforms for Gaming, Video and Music
When it comes to choosing the best streaming platforms, it largely depends on what type of content you’re interested in:

Gaming: When it comes to gaming, several platforms stand out. According to PCMag, the top picks for game streaming services in 2024 are Shadow, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Amazon Luna, Nvidia GeForce Now, Antstream Arcade, and Sony PlayStation Plus Premium4. Each platform offers unique features and caters to different types of gamers. Twitch and YouTube Gaming are the top platforms for streaming video games. They offer a wide range of content, from live streams of popular games to tutorials and eSports competitions.

1. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
2. PlayStation Network
3. Nintendo Switch Online
4. Shadow
5. AppleArcade
6. Amazon Luna
7. Nvidia GeForce Now
8. Antstream Arcade
9. YouTube Gaming

Top Recommendation: Xbox Game Pass Ultimate

Video (TV & Movies): For video content, there are numerous options. PCMag lists Netflix, Hulu, Peacock, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ and HBO Max as the top picks for video streaming services in 2024. Each service offers a variety of content, from original shows to popular movies.
HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video by Amazon are among the top platforms for TV shows and movies. They offer a vast library of content, including original series and films. While often not part of this discussion, YouTube is the most watched App in my household. Don’t forget about Tubi, which is free.

1. Netflix
2. Disney+ (Hulu or Star bundle)
3. HBO Max
4. AppleTV+
5. Paramount+
6. Prime Video (Amazon)
7. Peacock
8. YouTube
9. Tubi

Top Video Recommendation: Netflix

Music: In the realm of music, the top contenders are Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, Qobuz and Prime Music by Amazon. These platforms offer extensive music libraries and various features to enhance the listening experience.
Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music are often referred as the “go-to” platforms for music streaming. They offer millions of songs, curated playlists, and features like offline listening.

1. Spotify
2. Apple Music
3. Pandora
4. Tidal
5. Qobuz
6. Prime Music
7. YouTube Music
8. Sound Cloud
9. Deezer

Top Music Recommendation: Spotify

Bundling Services and Saving Money

Bundling of Services
Many streaming platforms offer bundled packages, allowing you to subscribe to multiple services at a discounted rate. For example, Disney offers a bundle that includes Disney+, Hulu (Star in Asia), and ESPN+. Additionally, some platforms offer different pricing tiers, including cheaper plans with ads and more expensive ad-free options.

Bundling services is a popular strategy employed by many streaming platforms to provide a more comprehensive entertainment package at a discounted price. For instance, the Disney Bundle combines Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+. The Duo Basic bundle includes Disney+ and Hulu with ads for $9.99 per month, while the Trio Basic bundle adds ESPN+ for just $3 more.

Not covered in this article, only because I have not used them, consumers can save with PLUTO TV or YouTube TV which bundle streamers, live tv and sports. I encourage readers of this JouleView Forum to share their experiences if they’ve used these to help us understand that side of the streaming ecosystem.

Measures to Save Money
Here are some tips to save money when streaming:

1. Rotate Which Streaming Service You Use: Depending on your reason for signing up for a particular streaming subscription, you can save money by rotating which ones you pay for.
2. Purchase Multi-Year, Pre-Paid subscriptions: Lock-in prices at current levels to save money.
3. Grab a Bundled Deal: Many streaming services offer bundled deals that can help you save money.
4. Adjust Your Tier: Most streaming services offer different tiers. You can save money by choosing a lower-tier plan.
5. Disable Auto Renew: Doing this, will give you time to pause, re-negotiate or bundle for a better deal.
6. Use Free Trials: Almost all streaming services offer free trials. You can use these to test out a service before committing to a subscription.
7. Share Your Subscriptions: If the streaming service allows, you can share your subscription with others to split the cost.
8. Stream with a VPN: This may allow you access to more content offerings at the same price.

Conclusion
The rise of streaming services has significantly changed the landscape of entertainment. While they offer more flexibility and personalization compared to traditional cable TV, the increasing costs can be a concern for many users. Therefore, it’s essential to consider the content, pricing, and other factors when choosing a streaming service. Despite the price hikes, streaming services continue to be a popular choice for many, offering a wide range of entertainment options at the tip of our fingers.

Whether you should stick with cable or switch to streaming services depends on your viewing habits and budget. If you value a wide variety of content and flexibility, streaming services might be the better option. However, it’s important to consider the ever-increasing costs to make sure you are getting the best value for your money. As the cost of both cable and streaming services continues to rise, it is more important than ever to regularly reassess your subscriptions and usage.

I look forward to your JoulePepper rating of my JouleView about “Streaming Services: A Comprehensive Guide for 2024: The Evolution of Entertainment: Streaming OTC vs. Cable TV Services and the Best Platforms for Games, Video & Music“ and I’d love to read your comments in the JouleStream section, below. Let’s make it a discussion! Based on what I shared above, I give Streaming Apps vs. Cable TV 4 out of 5 JoulePeppers – it’s still Hot, for now!

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Sources
https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/personal-finance/articles/heres-how-much-it-would-cost-to-subscribe-to-all-streaming-services-in-2024/
https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/best-streaming-service/
https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/internet/streaming-survey/
https://www.theverge.com/23901586/streaming-service-prices-netflix-disney-hulu-peacock-max
https://www.consumerreports.org/electronics-computers/streaming-media/guide-to-streaming-video-services-a4517732799/
https://www.wsj.com/buyside/arts-entertainment/best-streaming-services-3039a858
https://www.cnet.com/tech/home-entertainment/streaming-services-vs-cable-battle-budget-which-one-saves-you-more-money/

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