Abigail Tobis ’20, Managing Editor
2018 is finally here, and there are now so many different ways that we are able to watch and stream television shows and movies online. The three most common streaming networks that are used are Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime (Amazon Video), but which one reign as being the best streaming network?
As of Sept. 17, 2017, Netflix has 100 million subscribers. As of Sept. 27, 2017, Hulu has 12 million subscribers, and in July 9, 2017, 79 million people have Amazon Prime, but there is no exact data for how many people use Amazon Video out of their Amazon Prime members. Considering this data, Netflix takes the award for being the most subscribed to.
A major factor to consider when comparing and choosing what is the best network is in terms of their monthly cost. Each of these platforms have a specific price that the subscriber needs to pay monthly. Recently, Netflix raised their price from $9.99 to $10.99 a month. Netflix also offers a premium plan, which allows the user to stream TV shows and movies at the same time in high definition (HD) quality. This premium plan will raise from $11.99 per month to $13.99 per month. Amazon Prime costs $8.25 per month, and Hulu Plus costs $7.99 per month. Hulu Plus has the lowest price and is expected to stay at such a low price, because they use advertisements. Amazon Prime can seem fairly priced, but there are many titles that require extra payment in order to watch. There are limited movies you can watch for free. Netflix on the other hand, has no advertisements, and everything is included in the price.
Something else to consider is the selection variety, and the amount of TV shows and movies you, as a subscriber, are given. “Netflix has more shows, but Hulu has more things I like,” sophomore Tejon Garrett said. According to Business Insider, Netflix has more than twice the amount of selections available than Amazon Prime. Hulu Plus has the least amount of selections available, but the options given are more current to what is on cable television. Depending on the network that the show is from, Hulu Plus will post an episode after the day it was aired or up to seven days after it was on regular cable television.
Unlike Amazon Prime, Hulu Plus and Netflix both have lists of (top recommended for you based on what you have watched.) For an example, Hulu Plus will have top selections for the subscriber, and will pick different shows and movies based on what you have watched already. Netflix also does this, but they also have separate sections that are recommended for you based on one singular show that you have watched. For example, if a person has watched the entire series of Shameless, Netflix might have a list of shows similar to Shameless, under the subhead “Because You Watched Shameless.”
The question regarding which is the better streaming network is debatable, but by comparing the price, design, and the amount of selections given, it can help the individual to know which is the best choice for him or her based on one’s interests.
Photo courtesy of Odyssey
Lyon Life 