Premium movie streaming apps Archives

For Canadians, our options for streaming subscriptions and sites are very different from what you can get in the US, making it difficult sometimes to find what is available for us here. We’ve done the legwork for you and put together a list of streaming subscriptions and sites that have been verified available in Canada. We’ll start by listing the free sites, then paid subscriptions, then a breakdown of some of the different devices available for streaming.

FREE Sites to Stream Video in Canada (Legally and Without Cable Package)

There are plenty of the network channels that offer streaming on their websites, but not all are open to stream if you don’t have a cable/satellite package. We’ve sifted through as many as we could find to provide you only with the sites that offer full episodes to stream. Note that many of these services may also have apps available in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

1. Family Channel – kids’ shows
2. National Film Board of Canada – lots of content for everyone here, maybe a few blasts from the past too
3. APTN – selection of aboriginal focused content
4. BNN – up-to-date posting on various news stories and archived footage
5. Food Network – lots of online episodes
6. CBC – there’s a tonne of content here. Stream CBC TV shows, documentaries or kids shows. With the free version, you can stream full seasons of shows on demand and view up to 14 local CBC channels live. For the paid version ($4.99/mo.), the on-demand episodes don’t have commercials and you also get access to live CBC news network. www.cbc.ca/archives also has a bunch of interesting content. Search your city name and find old news stories or browse the categories.
7. Global News – news clips and some live news
8. HGTV – lots of full episodes available
9. MUCH – some shows available
10. OLN – full episodes of Mantracker and Wild Thing with Dominic Monaghan
11. SLICE – mostly reality TV episodes (Real Housewives,Mob Wives, First Dates)
12. The Comedy Network – some episodes of shows like Corner Gas Animated, The Daily Show, Just for Laughs and others
13. Red Bull TV – Lots of content, mostly extreme sports, but also some documentaries and music features. Full length shows and shorts. Available on Apple mobile devices/tablets, Android mobile and tablets, Amazon Fire, Google Chromecast, Apple TV, Android TV, Roku, PS3, PS4, Xbox One, Samsung Smart TVs
14. Viewster.com – anime, web shorts, movies and more. Mostly geared towards the gaming and sci-fi crowd with some comedies thrown in the mix as well. Available as an app through Apple’s App Store and Google Play in addition to browser-based page.
15. tubiTV – lots of free content here, TV and movies

Paid Subscription Services

Netflix is the most obvious choice when it comes to streaming subscriptions, but there are other options to supplement you Netflix account. Netflix is likely to always be a staple in any cord-cutter’s viewing list. Note in this list any service that says it support mobile phones and tablets includes Apple iOS devices and Android devices. If you have a Windows phone or tablet, be sure to check the devices list from provider website. When web browser is listed, this means on a windows or Mac computer.

1. CraveTV – this is a Canadian streaming service owned by Bell Media. $9.99/month (note Rogers/Shaw previously had an offering called Shomi, which launched around the same time as CraveTV, but is no longer active). Available on Chromecast, Samsung Smart TVs, Xbox One, Amazon Fire, Apple TV, Windows Phones and tablets, Android Phones and Tablets, iPhone and iPad, web browser (no support on Playstation consoles)
   • Letterkenny, one of CraveTV originals, was/is filmed in Sudbury
   • The TV show Cardinal, shot in Sudbury and North Bay is also available on CraveTV
   • Over 400 documentaries available
2. Amazon Prime – get access to prime video and amazon.ca free two-day prime shipping. $7.99/mo. Available on Amazon Fire, Android and Apple Phones and tablets, smart TVs, PS3, PS4, Xbox One, Apple TV, Computer browser, NVIDIA Shield
3. YouTube Premium – $11.99/mo.  comes with YouTube music streaming, ad-free videos, and access to youtube original content – this is great for watching concerts, 4K(UHD) content, YouTube original video content, have some friends over for youtube karaoke (or sing along with the kids – lots of kids’ karaoke available), and you can even find full episodes of some shows (just do a search for “full episodes”).
4. Netflix – constantly refreshing the TV shows and movies available, lots of original programming. Available on pretty much every device you can stream on. Three subscription tiers:
   1. Basic ($8.99 one device at a time, SD only)
   2. Standard ($10.99 two devices at a time, HD) or
   3. Premium ($13.99, four devices at a time, HD, UHD/4K).
5. Rogers NHL Live – $179.99 per season, available on mobile devices and tablets, Xbox One, PS3, PS4, PS Vita, Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast and web browser
6. TSN Direct – includes all five english TSN channels and well as RDS, RDS2 and RDS INFO in french. Cost is $19.99/mo. Accessible on PC, tablet, mobile, Apple TV, Samsung SmartTV and Xbox One.
7. Sportsnet Now: $19.99/mo. – $27.99/mo – NHL content, some MLB games (Jays games included), NBA games, Premier League and more. No NFL streaming. Web Browser, mobile phones and tablets, Apple TV, Xbox One, PS4, Chromecast
8. MLB.TV – $24.99/mo Live and on-demand baseball. Be sure to read about blackout information on their site. Available on mobile devices and tablets, PS4, Xbox On, Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV
9. DAZN: $20/mo. Covers NFL, MLB, motor sports, tennis, soccer, WWE and more. Works on Android, iOS, Apple TV, Roku, smart TVs, PS4, PS3, Xbox one, Chromecast and Amazon Fire TV.
10. CBS All Access – $5.99/mo. – includes a number of CBS shows on demand as well as 24/7 CBS news. Works on Apple and Android mobile phones and tablets, Chromecast, Roku and AppleTV
11. Qello – $7.99/mo. – owned by Stingray from Montreal, stream on demand and live concerts. iOS phone tablet and Apple TV, Android Phone tablet and Android TV, Amazon Fire and Amazon Tablets, Windows Phones and Tablets, Roku
12. Britbox – $8.99/mo. – good selection of British tv shows, movies and documentaries
13. Disney+ – $8.99/mo. or $89.99/year – includes Disney (old and new), Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars (old and new) and National Geographic.

Streaming Devices

AppleTV – when you’re looking at the list above, there’s one device that supports all the apps, the AppleTV. If you’re serious about your streaming, AppleTV is the way to go. There are currently three options available, ranging from $199 for the 32GB model with 1080p video output, to the 64GB model with 4K support. See the comparison of tech specs here.

Chromecast – is inexpensive at only $45.00 for the standard device. The Chromecast is a small device that connects to an HDMI port on your TV. Video output is 1080p. For 4K/UHD, there is the Chromecast Ultra available for just over $90. Note the Chromecast does not come with a remote, the device is controlled by a smartphone or tablet connected to the same wifi network.

Roku – there are a few different models with different specifications. Best to check the website and do a comparison for what you need. The Roku starts at $44.99 and goes up to $119.99 for the most expensive model.

Amazon Fire TV – right now only the basic fire TV stick is available in Canada. This supports up to 1080p. There’s no 4K Fire TV available in Canada at this time. The basic Fire TV stick is $49.99

NETSPECTRUM offers unlimited data caps on all our plans (DSL, Cable and wireless) so you can stream without stress. We provide internet service to the following locations:

DSL

Across Ontario 

Cable Internet

Capreol, Chelmsford, Cobalt, Copper Cliff, Garson, Harty, Kapuskasing, Kirkland Lake, Lively, Markstay, Moonbeam, Naughton, New Liskeard, Sturgeon Falls, Sudbury, Timmins, Val Caron, Val Rita, Haileybury – see plans for these areas here

North Bay, Huntsville, Callander, Parry Sound – see plans for these areas here

Wireless (Rural Internet)

Ahmic Harbour, Alban, Astorville, Bonfield, Britt, Burk’s Falls, Byng Inlet, Cache Bay, Callander, Calvin, Capreol, Carling, Chisholm, Clear Lake, Commanda, Corbeil, Crystal Falls, Dokis, Dunchurch, Emsdale, Estaire, Fairbanks, Field, Garson, Golden Valley, Hartfell, Henvey Inlet, Katrine, Kearney, Lavigne, Lively, Loring, Machar, Magnetawan, Markstay, Mattawa, McDougall, McKellar, Monetville, Nipissing, Nobel, Noelville, North Bay, Pevensey, Pickerel, Pointe Au Baril, Port Loring, Powassan, Redbridge, Restoule, Rutherglen, Skerryvore, South River, Sprucedale, St Charles, Sturgeon Falls, Sudbury, Sundridge, Trout Creek, Verner, Wahnapitae, Wanup, Westa Arm, Whitefish, Whitestone

Get in touch with us to see if we provide internet service to your Northern Ontario community.

More and more people are ditching cable in favor of streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney Plus. These subscription services are usually easier to set up and more flexible than standard cable, but the more of them you use, the more expensive it can get. Lucky for you, you don’t have to pay for every streaming service to get your movie fix. There are plenty of places online to legally stream movies and TV shows for free. Here is our list of some of the best ones you can try out today.

Read also: 10 best legal free movie apps and free TV show apps!

Hoopla

Many people don’t know that their local library card can get them more than just books. If your local library supports it, you can also gain access to a couple of different services that let you watch free movies online, and Hoopla is one of them. Hoopla features tons of free movies and TV shows online and through its mobile app.

Read also: 15 best eBook reader apps for Android!

It also has tons of eBooks, comics, music, and audiobooks, so it can really become your one-stop-shop for entertainment. Just keep in mind, Hoopla works kind of like a normal library, so you will only be able to borrow a certain number of movies, TV shows, or books, and you have a set time to finish them before you have to check them out again.

IMDb TV

IMDb is one of the best websites for movie lovers to catch up on all sorts of movie and celebrity-related content. It offers local movie showtimes and ticketing, trailers, movie critic and user reviews, personalized recommendations, and it even has a robust library of free movies online.

Related: The best IMDb TV shows to watch for free while stuck at home

It features fun family favorites like The Smurfs and Stuart Little, but it also has a bunch of cult classics like Donnie Darko. Whatever kind of mood you are in, you can bet IMDb TV has something for you.

Internet Archive

The Internet Archive is a little bit of an oddball in this list. Not only can you stream thousands of hours of free movies online, but you are also free to download nearly everything on the website too. That’s because all of the content on the Internet Archive is either uploaded by users or falls within the public domain. That means most of the feature films were made over 70 years ago, but if you are in the mood for a classic detective, sci-fi, horror, or even silent films, the Internet Archive has got you covered.

Kanopy

Just like Hoopla, all you need to get up and going with Kanopy is a library card. We can’t guarantee every library supports it, but if yours does, Kanopy is a treasure trove of free movies online.

You can access Kanopy online or through the service’s mobile app, and there are more movies than you could ever hope to watch. Plus, Kanopy’s movie selection is top-notch, featuring award-winning films like Moonlight, Ex Machina, and Momento.

Movies Found Online

The name says it all. Movies Found Online doesn’t host its own content, but instead, the website embeds free movies and videos from other sites into one location. Nearly everything on this website is independently made, and the selection features movies, documentaries, and even short films. The website has a somewhat limited library compared to other sites on this list, but if you are looking for something out of the ordinary, you just might find something on Movies Found Online.

Plex

Plex is a useful tool for people who want to be able to access their personal media library from anywhere in the world. But that’s not all it does. Recently, Plex released its own online ad-support media library, so users can watch tons of free movies online without having their own collection.

Related: Plex launches ad-supported video-on-demand with thousands of free titles

This selection of free content fits seamlessly within the existing Plex interface so that you can access it either from the app or within a browser. Whether you’re already a longtime Plex user or you’ve never even heard of it, this new movie selection is worth a look.

Pluto TV

One itch most streaming services just don’t scratch is the need to channel surf like you can on cable television. That’s where Pluto TV comes in. Pluto TV features tons of free movies, TV shows, and cartoons online and through the Pluto TV app, but it presents them in a way that’s more akin to classic cable.

Related: Here are the best Pluto TV channels you can watch from home for free

Pluto TV has a section where you can stream content on-demand, but it also features more than 250 channels that you can tune in to watch at previously scheduled times. Naturally, that comes with a few downsides, but if you are looking for a nigh one-to-one replacement for your existing cable service, Pluto TV has you covered. You don’t even need to create an account to get started, and it’s completely free.

Popcornflix

Popcornflix is a simple and straight forward video streaming service to watch free movies online. It hosts tons of films, TV shows, and even viral videos from all over the web for your online viewing pleasure. The service has been around for nearly 10 years now, and the library has continually gotten better with age. It features a well-organized directory to easily peruse the various genres you are interested in, including new arrivals, foreign films, and even Popcornflix originals.

Crackle

Crackle streaming service feels like it has been around forever. It has become one of the staples for budget-minded movie lovers looking for free online content. Like most other services on this list, it’s ad-supported, but Crackle’s library is more robust than some others, and it is available in your web browser and through various smart TV and mobile apps. Whether you like watching your movies on your TV, computer, or smartphone, Crackle is there waiting for you to give it a shot.

Top Documentary Films

Are you in the mood for a documentary? Top Documentary Films has you covered. Whether you are looking for a film on human health, environmentalism, or even outer space, there’s something here for you. It features some of the best documentary movies you can find online covering a vast selection of topics, and it’s all completely free.

Some of the movies are only a couple minutes long, while others are as long as any standard movie. So whether you have only 15 minutes or a few hours, you’ll be able to find something on Top Documentary Films.

Tubi

Tubi TV has been around since 2014, and since then, the service has grown to become one of the highest quality free movie streaming services you can find online. What’s great about Tubi is that it offers some of the overall best films on this list.

Read also: The best free music download sites on the Internet that are legal

It also boasts a wide variety of genres you won’t find on a lot of other free services like LGBTQ, home and garden, reality TV, and musicals. It also has a ton of hand-curated collections, so if you are having a hard time finding what you want to watch, Tubi will help you narrow it down.

VRV

Do you like anime? Then you need to give VRV a try. Yes, the service offers more than just anime, but that is where VRV’s library truly shines. VRV offers its own content selection, but it’s also home to services like Crunchyroll, Hidive, and even NickSplat.

Related: The 14 best anime on Netflix you can binge right now

Unfortunately, not all of the content on VRV is free. If you want to get access to the entire VRV library, you will need to fork out $9.99 a month, or you can purchase access to individual channels. If you mainly want to watch anime from Crunchyroll while also trying out content on other channels occasionally, then the free version is perfectly fine.

Yidio

Like Movies Found Online, Yidio doesn’t host its own content. Instead, it aggregates online movies and TV shows from both paid and free services into one easy to navigate UI. Because of that, Yidio’s library looks massive.

You can watch free movies directly from the website, and you can also browse content on Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu. So if you have at least one of these streaming services and you also want to browse more free movies and TV shows online, you should give Yidio a try.

YouTube

YouTube is chock-full of content creators, vloggers, and even original content. But what people might not know is that YouTube also offers a library of movies and TV shows beyond YouTube Originals. Within that online library, there is an entire selection of movies you can watch entirely for free.

Related:Forget Netflix! Watch these free movies on YouTube instead

Though the free library isn’t the largest on this list, you’ll find horror films, comedies, action flicks, dramas, and even children’s movies. So, the next time you check out the Android Authority YouTube channel, be sure to scout out YouTube’s free movie library.

Still not enough streaming content for you? Here are some other ways you can get your movie and TV show fix:

The best streaming services make the cord cutting process a peaceful process, so you can keep a full-buffet of content, and not waste away hearing about all the great stuff your friends and family are watching without you. While this list features streaming kings like Netflix and HBO, it's also got the sports-focused streaming services that will help you watch the NBA Playoffs, with live ABC, ESPN and TNT (plus you can add NBATV on top).

The best streaming services also have one strong feature in common, breaking from the status quo of annual contracts. All of these streaming services, whether they offer exclusive original programming, live streaming TV or massive libraries of films and TV shows, are sold in month-to-month subscriptions, making them all viable cable alternatives that you can turn off and on as you wish.

These services are just one half of the streaming landscape, though, as the cable box is apparently meeting its demise as we type. In its place come the best streaming devices, which include Rokus and Chromecasts, which help you get these services on your TV.

And by testing these services and devices side-by-side, we figure out the best way to build the ultimate streaming setup with the best selection of content and live channels.

What are the best streaming services?

The best streaming service overall is Netflix, which offers an excellent selection of TV shows, movies and original programming. First of all, Netflix practically controls the conversation around streaming, with most of the big shows (which it keeps doing, hand over first, with hit after hit) and routine success making big new series such as Tiger King and Dead to Me. Netflix has also had most of the standard features that competitors took years to realize mattered -- such as user profiles that finally came to Amazon Prime Video.

When it isn't impressing with heavy hitters from its originals collection such as Glow or The Witcher or Mindhunter, Netflix is winning with sheer depth and volume. By frequently adding licensed content, with major sitcoms such as Parks and Rec and Community. If Netflix somehow doesn't have a strong selection in the category you care about the most, you can just wait a month, and watch as they fill in the gaps with something new to watch. The horror section just got the utterly creepy The Girl on The Third Floor.

The newly released HBO Max provides a boost to the HBO catalogue, with a ton more movies and some new original shows. Some will flock to the service for the DCEU films — the Justice League Snyder Cut is coming — while we're loving it for the Harley Quinn show and Adventure Time. HBO Max is still not on Roku or Fire TV, though.

Disney Plus, a relatively new contender, also merits a look, and it practically demands your attention if you're a fan of Star Wars or the Marvel movies, of which it has nearly every film (or it will soon, in some cases). It's also the home of the critically acclaimed Pixar library.

The best streaming services now

The great-granddaddy in the market remains the best streaming service. As you probably know, Netflix provides unlimited streaming of TV shows, movies, comedy specials and original programming (including Love Is Blind, Glow and Black Mirror) for one monthly subscription fee. You can even create up to five different profiles on a single account to make sure that your favorite content doesn't mess up recommendations for your friends and loved ones. Netflix is constantly adding and taking away movies, so you'll want to check our our what's new on Netflix guide to see what's coming soon, and what you should watch before it's gone.

No other service has yet given Netflix an honest-to-goodness run for its money in terms of selection, quality and performance consistency. Recently, it's been easy to see that Netflix is inching away from its original business model of distributing other studios' films and shows, in favor of these above originals. Still, though, we see frequent additions of licensed shows, such as Hannibal, Moesha and Community, making Netflix the home for those looking to catch up on beloved shows they missed the first time around. Our Netflix hidden gems guide shows how it's also got a great library of fantastic shows and movies that have somehow gone under the radar for many audiences.

HBO, the original premium content channel, is simplifying its branding after everything got too confusing recently. HBO Go will be removed from app platforms on July 31, and the company's ready to move on because most of those customers, have moved onto HBO Max. HBO Now will now be known simply as HBO. This makes the HBO vs HBO Max distinction a bit easier to understand. 

Both HBO services pack current-run shows including Insecure, as well as completed seasons of Westworld, Curb Your Enthusiasm and Veep. HBO's biggest recent hits are adaptations of Watchmen and The Outsider. But at $14.99 per month, it can be a little pricey.

That's where HBO Max comes into play. Big highlights include Friends, the Studio Ghibli library and original shows like Love Life and the Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo. HBO Max is not on Roku or Amazon Fire TV (yet). Our current favorite series on HBO Max is Harley Quinn's very own (self-titled) animated series, which was once stuck inside of the DC Universe service.

Our HBO Max review thoroughly explains why this service needs more time in the oven before it feels finished and ready for the public, and why it instead feels a bit half-baked (where is the Roku app, HBO?). Check out our guide to the best HBO Max shows and movies to see what it's offering. Right now, I'm binge-watching Adventure Time, a show that feels made for streaming with its 15-minute long episodes.

Before its release, Disney Plus was one of the most anticipated streaming services on the market. And why wouldn't it be? Disney controls a frankly frightening number of properties, from Marvel, to Star Wars, to Disney's own animated canon, to The Simpsons (all 30 seasons, and counting). At $7 per month, it's among the cheaper of the best streaming services out there, and a lot of the content is available in 4K resolution with HDR color palettes, too. 

Oh, and in big news, Disney Plus is also being turned into a PPV service, or at least the company is testing the waters. Disney's live-action Mulan will cost $30 from Sept. 4 until its eventual release date. on the service, giving streamers another reason to consider signing up. If this is a success, will Disney follow suit with the rest of its upcoming blockbusters? 

Read our full Disney Plus review.

If you want to keep current with the latest TV shows but don't feel like investing in a cable subscription or an HD antenna, Hulu is the best solution. This service provides access to most major network shows (aside from CBS' programs) and a handful of cable shows the day after they air. It also lets subscribers access a show's current season — or often all of the program's seasons. 

In addition, the service hosts a number of original shows (including joint ventures with the BBC, like The Wrong Mans and season 4 of The Thick of It), a selection of offbeat movies and a surprising amount of classic anime series. Recent Hulu hits include a remake of High Fidelity that brings the record shop to New York, and swaps John Cusack out for Zoe Kravitz. Even with a paid subscription, you have to sit through commercials, but far fewer than if you watched the same shows on cable.

For those who do most of their shopping online, Amazon Prime is a no-brainer. For $119 per year, you get free two-day shipping on your purchases, a free Kindle book each month, and unlimited access to both Amazon Music and Amazon Prime Video. Like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video is a veritable buffet of movies, television and original programming (the best Amazon shows range from The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Man in the High Castle, Bosch and Jack Ryan).

Thanks to a deal with Viacom — which controls Comedy Central, MTV and Nickelodeon — Amazon Prime arguably is the best streaming service when it comes to comedy and children's programming. The service also offers unlimited access to an extensive collection from HBO's back catalog of classics such as The Sopranos and The Wire. You can also rent or purchase movies through Amazon Prime Video, but it's an à la carte service. If you're trying to master your Amazon streaming device, check out our how to use the Fire Stick walkthrough.

If you like the idea of a cable subscription but feel it's just too expensive and offers more content than you want, Sling TV might provide a happy medium for you. On paper, Sling sounds a lot like a traditional cable service: Pay a monthly subscription fee in exchange for about 30 real-time channels. But there's no contract and no set-top box rental fee. Sling is especially handy for sports fans, as it offers a variety of ESPN channels -- and this alone is worth the price for some. 

Other popular networks, like NBC, BBC America, CNN, Cartoon Network, TBS and the Food Network, sweeten the deal. Check out our Sling TV guide to packages, channels and more. While most of the popular streaming services start at around $50, Sling stands out with its $30 per month starting price.  And as competitors like YouTube TV are getting more expensive, Sling TV just introduced a 1-year price guarantee, so you can expect their low prices to last.

Read our full Sling TV review.

Fubo TV is a good, if somewhat expensive, option for anyone looking to have access to cable channels without an actual cable subscription. Fubo’s standard plan is $54.99 and offers 108 channels, including almost every major broadcast and cable network. And unlike other live TV streaming competitors like YouTube TV and Sling TV, Fubo has 4K streaming for select content on demand. The other knock against Fubo, besides its higher price, is the limited Cloud DVR storage.

While Fubo’s channel lineup is the largest among the higher-priced streamers, they just got a major pair of gaps filled, including ABC and ESPN. For a service that touts its sports programming, that was a pretty big hole. In addition, the lineup includes popular networks like NBC, Fox, AMC, Food Network, MTV, Syfy and TNT, as well as a ton of niche sports channels. 

If you yearn for the halcyon days of cheesy action movies and anime on afternoon cable, Crackle will take you back in time at no cost. The Sony-owned platform broadcasts movies, TV shows and original programming on a rotating basis. There's no subscription or à la carte fee, although you do have to sit through a fair amount of commercials. While the programming is not usually blockbuster material, it's stuff you've heard of — think Total Recall rather than The Terminator, or Pitch Black rather than Riddick. Some of the original shows are good, too.

Crackle originals include Snatch, an adaptation of the Guy Ritchie film, which stars Rupert Grint (yes, Ron Weasley himself). Adam Brody starred in StartUp, Keegan-Michael Key did voice work in the animated Supermansion, and even Chad Michael Murray showed up for CH:OS:EN. There's even Rob Riggle's Ski Master Academy, which bears resemblance to what would happen if you made a real life show out of Archer.

How to choose the best streaming services for you

The good news is that you don't need to limit yourself to just one. It's all about picking the number of services that's right for your budget. And to that matter, all depends on the content you want to consume. While Netflix has a diverse array of content, it's not appealing to any specific audience — which means it's probably a service that most people have. 

While Netflix is pivoting more to original shows and movies with each passing week, it's still constantly adding licensed movies and shows. That means it's not only the place you'll re-watch The Good Place, but it's also got its own hits like Glow and Love Is Blind.

Alternatively, do not sleep on HBO Now and HBO Go. Not only does the service get top-tier movies, but it's continually getting some of the latest and greatest and most prestigious TV shows, such as Watchmen and The Outsider.

How we test streaming services

Testing streaming services is both serious work and good fun. When we test the quality of these platforms, we use them on multiple devices, including game consoles, web browsers and mobile devices. You'd be surprised at how differently Sling TV can look between a Roku, the Apple TV box and Chrome. 

We then compare the services based around the number of simultaneous streams they allow, if they throw in 4K streaming for free (or charge extra), and what other special features they allow. We also keep a strong eye on the new channels coming to each service, with articles such as our Sling Orange vs Blue face-off.

And as pricing constantly changes (not in the right way, most of the time), we have to rethink how each competitor sits in the landscape. Sling, for example, has stayed near the low-end of the field, even though it too has gone up over time.

We also spend a fair amount of time keeping up with the latest entrants into the streaming wars. A newer live TV streaming service is Philo TV, which costs just $20 a month for 59 channels. One of the biggest new names in streaming is NBCU's Peacock. Its strategy is simple: free ad-supported content you love, but the debate over NBC Peacock Free vs Premium might be an easy question depending on how July's nation-wide launch goes. HBO Max is coming this month, and we'll get to that when it arrives.

Check out our Quibi review to see if the mobile-only service can spark your interest, and review our guide to the best Quibi shows to see if they've made any series that float your boat.

While Apple TV Plus hasn't risen to the ranks of the best streaming services, we just found out some of the top Apple TV Plus shows are free right now, to give people a taste. And did you know that AT&T TV isn't a month-to-month subscription service? It's a really weird offering that feels like it's stuck in the past.

This is a big year for streaming: HBO Max arrived with the WarnerMedia library (including Friends). NBC's Peacock is in soft-launch and has have The Office, SNL and more.