With price hikes and ads, it might be time to rethink your subscriptions
Illustration by Chloe Latour.
Streaming services used to feel like the silver bullet solution to overpriced cable television. However, these days they’ve devolved into a confusing, ad-filled mess that can make you miss the simplicity of just turning on the TV and watching whatever was on. With so many options to choose from, climbing prices, and companies cracking down on password sharing, it can be hard to pick what to spend your hard-earned money on.
Here is a guide to which streaming services might still be worthwhile in 2024.
Netflix
$5.99–20.99/month
Netflix, the one who started this all. The selection on Netflix in the old days used to feel endless. I don’t know about you, but now just finding something good to watch on here feels more like a chore than anything. They spend endless amounts of money on original content, with vastly varying degrees of quality. But at the end of the day, who’s actually going to get rid of Netflix?
If you enjoy watching a lot of mediocre programming with the occasional gem, then this is definitely the streaming service to hold on to. And if you really hate yourself, you can just get the $5.99 plan that has ads. Just don’t get too attached to any series, because there’s nothing more Netflix than cancelling shows.
Amazon Prime Video
Free with Amazon Prime
Chances are you pay for Amazon Prime for the free shipping and Prime Video is just an added bonus. This streaming service always surprises me with the amount of content on it. Unfortunately, not all good things last, as it has been announced that Prime Video will soon start showing ads, which can be removed for a $2.99 monthly fee.
Ignoring that, Prime Video has a very solid and varied selection to choose from with lots of classic movies and original content. If you’re made of money, you can also subscribe to additional channels with more niche content. You’re also able to rent or buy just about any movie or TV show if it happens to be unavailable on any streaming service.
Crave
$9.99–19.99/month
Crave is the only way to stream HBO content here in Canada, so that alone gives it a pretty big advantage. While the content on here is only of the highest quality for the most part, there isn’t a ton to choose from. Additionally, the amount of content added on a regular basis pales in comparison to other services like Netflix.
While there are cheaper plans available, the most expensive one is the only one that doesn’t have ads. But if you like blockbusters, critically acclaimed movies, and high-quality series, then the steep price tag might be worth it. Subscribing for an entire year does give you a slight discount, and getting to watch through award-winning shows like Succession and The White Lotus is worth almost any amount of money.
Disney+
$7.99–14.99/month
When Disney first released their streaming service, it seemed like an amazing value. Now, after several steep price increases it’s getting harder to shell out money every month to the mouse.
If you’re a fan of Marvel, Pixar, Star Wars, and Disney movies (duh) then Disney+ is a no-brainer. The early-2000s sitcoms and comedies selection on here is also pretty hard to beat. Disney+ is also the only way to stream certain American shows, like The Bear, here in Canada.
Apple TV+
$12.99/month
Wait, Apple has a streaming service? No, but seriously, Apple TV+ is home to amazing originals like Ted Lasso, Severance, and… not much else. For the premium price tag, there isn’t a whole lot to choose from on here. Like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+ also allows you to purchase and rent movies and TV shows. This is handy, until you find yourself accidentally spending six bucks on a movie because you thought it was included in your subscription.
If you’re not using the free three-month subscription that came with your new iPhone, then it might be time to cancel Apple TV+ until Killers of the Flower Moon is available to stream.
