What Are Streaming Services?
What this helps with: Understanding what streaming is, what the popular services offer, what they cost, and whether you need one.
This is the first guide in our TV series. Start here if words like “Netflix” or “streaming” feel confusing.
What is streaming?
Streaming means watching shows and movies over the internet, instead of through a cable wire, a satellite dish, or an antenna.
Each streaming service is like its own TV channel or video store. You open its app on your TV, phone, tablet, or computer, pick something, and it plays right away. Nothing is downloaded or stored. You watch whenever you want, not just when a show is on.
You need two things:
- Home internet (or a phone data plan, for small screens).
- A screen with apps: a smart TV, a streaming device like Roku or Fire TV, a phone, a tablet, or a computer.
Most paid services charge each month. You can usually cancel anytime.
Popular US streaming services
Prices are the lowest monthly US price on each company’s own page, as of Oct 20, 2026, before tax. Where we couldn’t read the official page, we say “about.” The cheapest plans usually show ads. Prices change often, so check the official page before you sign up.
| Service | Known for | Starting price |
|---|---|---|
 | Its own movies and series, from many countries | $8.99 a month (with ads) |
 | Amazon’s shows and movies; comes with Amazon Prime | about $8.99 a month on its own (with ads), or included with Prime |
| Disney+ | Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic | about $12.49 a month (with ads) |
 | Many current TV shows, often the day after they air | about $12.49 a month (with ads) |
 (once called “Max”) | HBO series, Warner Bros. movies, and Discovery shows | $10.99 a month (with ads) |
 | NBC shows, Bravo, and some sports | $8.99 a month (with ads) |
 | CBS shows, Paramount movies, and some sports | $8.99 a month (with ads) |
 (once called “Apple TV+”) | Apple’s own series and movies | $14.99 a month (no ads) |
 | Live TV with 100+ channels, like cable over the internet | $82.99 a month |
 | Free movies, shows, and live news channels | Free (with ads) |
 | Free live channels that feel like regular TV | Free (with ads) |
Good to know: Apple TV is also the name of Apple’s streaming box. And YouTube (free) is different from YouTube TV (paid live TV).
Why stream instead of cable?
- It can cost less. You pay for one or two services you love, not a big package.
- Watch anytime. Shows wait for you. Pause, rewind, or watch the next episode.
- No box to rent if you have a smart TV.
- Easy to stop. Most services let you cancel anytime, with no contract.
When cable or satellite still makes sense
- You watch many live channels, like 24-hour news or sports channels, every day.
- Your internet is slow or unreliable, or you don’t have internet at home.
- You like one remote and one bill, and the price works for you.
- You get a good deal in a bundle you’re happy with.
There’s no wrong choice. Many people keep cable and add one streaming service. Others use an antenna for local channels plus one or two apps.
Stay safe
- Sign up only on the service’s own website or app. Search ads can lead to look-alike sites.
- Nobody legit asks you to pay with gift cards for a streaming account.
- Emails saying your account is “on hold” are a common scam. Open the app yourself to check.
More TV guides
- What’s the Difference Between Streaming, Cable, and Satellite TV?
- How Do I Save Money on Cable and Streaming TV?
- How Can I Watch the News Without Cable?
- How Do I Use My Smart TV Remote?
- How to Watch Shows on a Streaming TV App
Official sources
- Netflix: Plans and pricing
- Disney+: Plans and prices
- Peacock: Price changes
- HBO Max: Plans and prices
- Paramount+: Pick a plan
- Apple TV: apple.com/apple-tv
- YouTube TV: YouTube TV plans
- Tubi: tubitv.com
- Pluto TV: pluto.tv
Last checked: Oct 20, 2026
Service names and logos are trademarks of their owners, shown only to help you recognize each service. Logos from Wikimedia Commons (public domain as simple text logos). The Disney+ logo is not shown because we couldn’t confirm a suitable file. We’re not paid by or partnered with any of them. This is general help, not financial advice. Services and prices differ outside the US.