Video streaming is one of the best ways to keep yourself entertained no matter where you go. Be it video or music streaming on the internet, it has become one of the most popular leisure activities across the globe. Even though streaming was one of the favorite pastimes of people before the pandemic as well, the traffic on streaming platforms has increased dramatically after the outbreak of Covid-19. This is because people were restricted to homes so they adopted at-home entertainment options available on the internet. Throughout 2021, around 15 million years’ worth of content was watched by people in the U.S.
The US is a huge market; hence, there is great potential for the growth of streaming platforms as around 85% of households have subscribed to at least one video streaming service. The most popular video streaming platforms on the internet include Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Disney+, and HBO Max. Each of these platforms is available at specific costs and includes different features. This article describes what these platforms have in store for you. Before starting, we recommend you sign up for Cox high-speed internet for a seamless streaming experience.
Netflix
Netflix has more than 223 million subscribers. It is one of the most popular video streaming platforms because it provides a screen-sharing option, allowing up to 5 users to watch content using a single account. It gives the option of a free one-month trial. Besides, its monthly subscription fee starts from $6.99 (with ads) and $9.99 (without ads).
It has different subscription plans such as mobile, basic, standard, and premium to cater to multiple segments of the audience and offers access to unlimited TV shows, movies, and documentaries under various genres in 1080p and 4k ultra-HD video resolution on the internet. You will also get an option to download videos for watching offline. The best thing about Netflix is that it is compatible with almost all devices including Android TV, Samsung TV, Xbox console, and Nintendo console.
Hulu
Hulu has around 45 million subscribers and a rating of 4.2/5. It offers access to movies and TV shows. Subscribes of live TV can watch 80 different channels and more than 70,000 movies/TV episodes on the platform. The content on Hulu is original and can be streamed on multiple devices, including smartphones, Xbox, tablets, and Apple TVs. Up to 2 individuals can share a Hulu account.
Similar to Netflix, Hulu also provides the option of a free one-month trial and offers multiple pricing plans to match the varying needs of the viewers. For instance, the $6.99 plan is affordable but comes with advertisements. The $12.99 plan is expensive but provides a smooth and uninterrupted streaming experience. However, downloading option is only available to subscribers with an ad-free plan.
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon prime is a subscription to Amazon’s premium offerings. One such product is Amazon Prime Video, which has over 200 million subscribers and a rating of 4.2/5. It offers around 41000 movies and videos on the prime platform and works on multiple devices including smartphones, and PCs, and provides the option to download videos and watch them later without the internet. Besides, it enables viewers to control their data usage while watching or downloading content. Similar to other streaming platforms, Amazon Prime Video offers a free trial in case customers are not sure about getting their subscription. The service is available at $8.99 per month and provides access to content in high video resolution.
Disney+
Disney Plus has millions of subscribers across the globe and has a rating of 4.6/5. It is one of the favorite streaming platforms of viewers due to Disney’s original content produced by The Walt Disney Company. It offers content in various genres for people of all ages. Its subscription fee is $7.99 per month and allows 4 people to share an account. It is usually compared with Netflix since both platforms are quite popular and offer an amazing experience. However, Disney is cheaper than Netflix and has a higher overall rating. But, Netflix has a bigger customer base and is compatible with more devices than Disney.
HBO Max
HBO and HBO Max have more than 73 million subscribers and a rating of 4.5/5. It offers content equivalent to 13000+ hours in the form of TV shows, movies, and original series on the internet. In addition, it is one of the most expensive streaming platforms, starting from $9.99 a month, and offers ultra-HD video resolution. Up to 3 users can view its content simultaneously from a single account. But, there is a chance that you may encounter buffering issues, which can be resolved by subscribing to an internet plan offered by Cox Communications.
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Wrapping Up
The video streaming industry is growing rapidly and has a huge market in the US alone. Dozens of platforms offer video streaming on the internet including the five most popular ones discussed in the article: Discovery+, Apple TV+, ESPN+, and Paramount+. However, if you are looking to subscribe to one, you should consider all the information related to these platforms and choose the one that aligns with your needs.
