Netflix, Paramount+, Prime Video, Disney+: Which is the best streaming service? Compare prices and content
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A brand new streaming service launches in the UK this June with the arrival of Paramount+.
But with so many other TV platforms to choose from, it can be tricky to narrow down which is the right one for you.
Read more: What's streaming on Paramount+ on launch day
We take a look at what each of the major streaming platforms offers and how much they cost.
UK streaming services - which is best?
Paramount+
Available: Launches in the UK on Wednesday, 22 June, 2022
How to stream: If you're already a Sky customer, you can either bundle it in with your Sky Q package, or if you subscribe to Sky Cinema you'll automatically be able to access it for no extra charge.
Otherwise, Paramount+ is available on an app that can be streamed on devices including phones, tablets, laptops and smart TVs.
What you can watch: Paramount+ offers a huge range of content, from original TV series to its back catalogue of films.
On launch day, highlights available will include new Star Trek series Strange New Worlds, videogame TV adaptation Halo, historical drama The First Lady starring Viola Davis, Michelle Pfeiffer and Gillian Anderson, and a new version of The Man Who Fell To Earth featuring Chiwetel Ejiofor and Naomie Harris.
Also look out for The Offer, a dramatisation of producer Albert S. Ruddy's experiences of making The Godfather, the entire series of Yellowstone and its new prequel 1883 and Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Uma Thurman series Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber.
Later in launch month, new celebrity reality series All Star Shore will see Joey Essex and Chloe Ferry take on contestants from across the globe in a party challenge.
There's an enormous range of films, including a number of Star Trek titles and classics including Pulp Fiction, Footloose and Mean Girls.
Kids will love films including PAW Patrol, Clifford the Big Red Dog and Transformers, although most of the Paramount+ offerings are aimed at adults.
Price: £6.99 a month, or £69.90 for the full year.
Netflix
Available: Now
How to stream: The Netflix app can be used on devices including phones, tablets, laptops and smart TVs.
The difference between basic, standard and premium subscription packages relates to how many different screens you can watch it on at any one time, how many devices you can download content to, and whether it's available in HD or Ultra HD.
What you can watch: Netflix is a giant of streaming content globally, with TV and films to suit all tastes and plenty of hidden content that you can discover by using the genre codes.
Big name drama series originals include Breaking Bad spin-off Better Call Saul, fantasy sci-fi Stranger Things and Jason Bateman and Laura Linney drug thriller Ozark.
Read more: Everything streaming on Netflix in June
Popular reality series include Love Is Blind and Selling Sunset, and Netflix has become known for its addictive true crime documentaries such as Tiger King, Making a Murderer, Fyre and The Tinder Swindler, and stand-up specials from star comedians such as Ricky Gervais and Aziz Ansari, with their sitcoms After Life and Master of None also included.
As well as changing the face of TV, it is also transforming film with Netflix exclusive movies regularly picking up awards wins - notable titles recently include The Power of the Dog, The Irishman and Tick, Tick...Boom!.
Subscribers can set up kids' profiles with an equally huge range of content for younger viewers - as well as original content and TV shows such as Coco Melon and The Cuphead Show, various Lego movies, Shrek, Hotel Transylvania and family classics like Hook and Beethoven are all available.
Netflix also includes hit drama box sets from the likes of BBC and ITV, as well as US series such as Breaking Bad.
Price: Basic - £5.99 a month, Standard - £9.99 a month, Premium - £13.99 a month.
Prime Video
Available: Now
How to stream: When you sign up to Amazon Prime, their subscription bundle includes access to streaming content via the Prime Video app which works on devices including phones, tablets, laptops and smart TVs.
What you can watch: Amazon originals that the streaming service has become known for include The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Boys, Jack Ryan, The Romanoffs, Reacher and The Man in the High Castle.
Jeremy Clarkson has found a new home on the platform with car series The Grand Tour and farming documentary Clarkson's Farm.
Read more: Everything streaming on Prime Video in June
As well as its own original content, Prime Video includes plenty of other TV shows and films made popular elsewhere, and its varied kids content includes favourites like Peppa Pig, the Julia Donaldson adaptations for BBC, and a TV spin-off series of Kung Fu Panda.
Price: £7.99 a month, including Amazon Prime.
Disney+
Available: Now
How to stream: Through the Disney+ app on devices including phones, tablets, laptops and smart TVs.
The standard subscription package at Disney+ allows watching on up to four different devices at once, downloading to up to 10 devices, and hosting virtual viewing parties for up to five friends.
What you can watch: Marvel fans won't want to miss a Disney+ subscription, which gives access to many of the MCU films and original series such as Hawkeye, Loki and Ms. Marvel.
Star Wars has also found a home at the service for its movies and TV shows, including new series The Mandalorian.
Read more: Everything streaming on Disney+ in June
Comedy caper Only Murders in the Building and biopic series Pam & Tommy have drawn plenty of attention recently, and the new Kardashians reality series is also on Disney+.
This is arguably the best platform for kids content - access the back catalogue of Disney and Pixar films with Encanto, Moana, Turning Red, Cruella, Frozen, Guardians of the Galaxy, Aladdin, Black Panther, Luca and many, many more all available.
Price: £7.99 a month, or £79.90 for the full year.
ITVX
Available: Later in 2022
How to stream: ITVX isn't due to launch until later in the year and will incorporate what is currently the free on-demand service ITV Hub with the paid for BritBox.
Different tiers of subscriptions will give access to either free content that includes adds, or extra premium content without ads.
What you can watch: In short, all of the ITV Hub and BritBox content will be migrating to ITVX under various different subscription tiers, giving you access to some of the best British TV.
The new service will see drama, comedy and reality series available to watch in full on the service as soon as the first episode has aired on ITV, and new drama series will be on ITVX six to nine months before they air on ITV.
Content also includes series from the BBC, Channel 4 and Channel 5, as well as BritBox original content such as Why Didn’t They Ask Evans? and The Dry.
Newly commissioned series include A Spy Among Friends starring Damian Lewis and Guy Pearce, Nolly starring Helena Bonham Carter, Confessions of Frannie Langton starring Karla-Simone Spence, Sophie Cookson and Patrick Martins, Lenny Henry’s six-part drama The Little Birds and Litvinenko starring David Tennant.
Price: Prices TBA.
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