The best streaming services in 2024: How to choose between Netflix, Prime and Disney Plus (2024)

Table of Contents
Which streaming services are available in the UK? What is the best streaming service in the UK? Best UK streaming service comparison Amazon Prime Video What is Amazon Prime Video good for? What original content does Amazon Prime Video include? What non-original content does Amazon Prime Video include? Is Amazon Prime Video good for families? Top shows to watch on Amazon Prime: Top films to watch on Amazon Prime: Price and subscription details: Is a free trial available for Amazon Prime Video? Apple TV+ What is Apple TV+ good for? What original content does Apple TV+ include? What non-original content does Apple TV+ include? Is Apple TV+ good for families? Top shows to watch on Apple TV+: Price and subscription details: Is a free trial available for Apple TV+? RadioTimes.com says: Disney Plus What is Disney Plus good for? What new content does Disney Plus include? What existing original content does Disney Plus include? Is Disney Plus good for families? Top Disney Plus original shows to watch: Top films to watch on Disney Plus: Price and subscription details: Is a free trial available for Disney Plus? RadioTimes.com says: Netflix What’s Netflix good for? What original content does Netflix include? What non-original content does Netflix include? Is Netflix good for families? Top shows to watch on Netflix: Top films to watch on Netflix: Price and subscription details: Is a free trial available for Netflix? RadioTimes.com says: NOW What is NOW good for? What original content does NOW include? What non-original content does NOW include? Is NOW good for families? Top shows to watch on NOW: Top films to watch on NOW: Price and subscription details: Is a free trial available for NOW TV? RadioTimes.com says: What's the history of streaming services in the UK? References

The term 'streaming wars' has been coined to acknowledge this fierce competition between platforms. And with so much choice, and the likelihood that our favourite shows and films are spread across multiple services with each coming with its own cost, how do we begin to choose?

After years of expertise rating and reviewing the latest films and TV shows, RadioTimes.com knows a thing or two about streaming. In this guide, you'll find everything you need to know when choosing the best streaming service for you.

We break down all the platforms available in the UK and compare their prices, features, content and more, so you can confidently decide which to sign up to.

If you're not sure what to watch, we've got you covered. Check out our guide to the best movies to watch on Disney Plus, as well as the best shows on Apple TV+.

Jump to:

  • Which streaming services are available in the UK?
  • What is the best streaming service in the UK?
  • Best UK streaming service comparison
  • What's the history of streaming services in the UK?

Get three months of Disney Plus for just £1.99 a month

Let's get down to business — Disney Plus is offering new and returning customers a fantastic deal with the chance to snag a subscription to the streaming service for just £1.99 a month for three months.

This deal allows you to enjoy brand-new releases like Inside Out 2 and Agatha All Along, as well as beloved franchises including Wizards of Waverly Place. It's only valid until 28th September, so don't delay!

Get three months of Disney Plus for £1.99 at Disney Plus

Which streaming services are available in the UK?

Currently, the list of major UK streaming services includes:

What is the best streaming service in the UK?

There's no easy answer to what is the best streaming service because it really depends on what your film and TV taste is, as well as what features are most important to you, and of course, how much you're willing to pay.

If you were to simplify the above streaming services, we'd recommend they're best for:

  • Amazon Prime Video: Large households and those on a budget
  • Disney Plus: Families, plus fans of Disney, Marvel and Star Wars
  • Netflix: Binge-watchers, film fans and lovers of original content
  • Hayu: Reality TV fans
  • Apple TV+: Original big-budget dramas and children's shows
  • NOW: Recent prestige shows from Sky and HBO, plus blockbuster films on demand
  • ITVX: Binging British boxsets
  • DAZN: Boxing fans

In terms of content, it's hard to compete with Netflix which outputs an incredible amount of original film and TV each month, on top of an impressive back catalogue. It's fair to say that with this much content, the quality can be a mixed bag, but every so often a huge word-of-mouth hit, such as Stranger Things or The Crown, will land on the service, while a few of their films have been nominated for an Academy Award, such as Roma.

However, with Netflix losing much of their licensed back catalogue, franchise fans may be better off heading to Disney Plus. The streaming service includes the very best of Disney, Pixar, Star Wars and Marvel, and will be the only place to see many of the spin-off shows from each of those universes. The addition of Star also means there's plenty more mature content, too, like Good Trouble.

NOW may be one of the more expensive options, but you get a premium service — it's the first platform you'll find most films after their cinema release, and it's the only place to find HBO shows and Sky Originals without a TV contract. The option of Hayu and Sport is an added bonus, and you can sign up for either TV shows or films without having to pay for the other.

For those on a budget, Amazon Prime Video is one of the best value streaming services out there. It has a steady stream of hit original films and shows, but also allows you to buy or rent content that's not included in the service. If you opt for the full Prime package rather than just the standalone streaming service, you get free next day delivery, plus access to Amazon Music, Prime Reading, Amazon Photos, exclusive deals and gaming benefits.

Apple TV+ is another great budget option. It had some teething problems with a star-studded but sparse library at first, but their catalogue has steadily grown.

And, it's also worth mentioning again that these aren't the only streaming services on offer. For those after sport, you've also got DAZN.

Read on for more detail on each streaming provider. Or, if you're ready to commit, here's how to sign up:

Looking for some subscription savings? Take a look at our pick of the best Disney Plus offers, Sky Sports offers, NOW TV offers, and BT Sport deals.

Best UK streaming service comparison

While all five are streaming services require paid subscriptions, each platform can vary considerably in terms of price, free trials, amongst other things. Streaming services will only allow you to stream on a certain number of devices at once; families, in particular, will want to take note of the maximum number of screens the service will support simultaneously.

Below, you'll find more information on each key streaming service.

Amazon Prime Video

The best streaming services in 2024: How to choose between Netflix, Prime and Disney Plus (1)

Price: £8.99 a month or £95 for a full year

Devices to use: Smart TVs, blu-ray players, set-top boxes (Roku, Google TV, TiVo, Nvidia Shield), Amazon Fire TV, Fire TV Stick, game consoles, Android devices (Prime Video app for Android phones and tablets), iOS devices, Fire phone and Fire tablets

Best for: Large households, those on a budget

Free trial: Yes

Maximum Resolution: 4K

Simultaneous streams: 3

Amazon introduced Prime Video to the UK back in 2014, replacing its previous video-on-demand service LoveFilm. Since then it has added a host of original and non-original content to its library.

Pros:

  • Great value subscription with benefits
  • Good range of original content and classic titles
  • Live sport
  • Option to add Amazon Channels
  • Option to purchase content not included in Prime
  • 4K Resolution at no extra cost

Cons:

  • Not always clear which content requires an additional fee
  • Original film library is lacking

What is Amazon Prime Video good for?

For a long time, Amazon Prime Video has been Netflix’s closest competitor as the two platforms offer a similar service, with both boasting a good range of original and third-party content across film and TV.

One of the biggest bonuses of Amazon Prime Video – and something that makes it stand out from Netflix – is that the subscription comes with added Amazon benefits, such as unlimited one-day delivery on products ordered from the Amazon store. So if you’re a frequent Amazon shopper, this is a fantastic perk.

Prime has also been pushing its sports coverage; it's the place to watch most tournaments on the ATP tennis circuit, and it shows Premier League football over the Christmas period.

Another advantage Amazon has over Netflix is that it offers users the chance to rent or buy films and TV shows that are not included with a subscription. This also includes add-on subscriptions — users can subscribe to Amazon Prime Channels such as StarzPlay and Hayu for an additional monthly fee, and access those platforms' shows through the Prime Video interface.

One thing that can sometimes frustrate Amazon users is that not all video content on the service comes under the subscription price, with some additional shows only available at an extra cost. However, Amazon has since added a 'Free to Me' section, making it clearer which shows and films are available for no added cost.

Amazon also offers a range of streaming devices, which our Technology experts have put through their paces:

  • Amazon Fire TV Cube review
  • Amazon Fire TV Stick review
  • Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite review

What original content does Amazon Prime Video include?

Some of the best Amazon Prime series include the award-winning Homecoming and The Marvellous Mrs Maisel. The channel is home to motoring show The Grand Tour – which features Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May, as well as their individual spin-offs, such as Clarkson's Farm. Other Amazon originals include Good Omens (co-produced with the BBC) and Nine Perfect Strangers.

Like Netflix, Amazon has also shifted some of its focus towards film, and these are the best movies on Amazon Prime Video. Amazon also bought the rights to several high-profile films during the pandemic, including The Tomorrow War, Without Remorse and Borat Subsequent Moviefilm.

What non-original content does Amazon Prime Video include?

Amazon’s catalogue of classic TV shows is impressive, with highly regarded shows including The Walking Dead and Vikings, and classics like The X-Files. Its films library is equally commendable – with both recent hits and classics available with a subscription, including every James Bond film right through to No Time To Die. The streaming service has also brought shows such as Mr Robot and American Gods to a UK audience.

Amazon has also partnered with film studio Lionsgate. This deal means the streaming service has exclusive first window streaming rights in the UK for films such as The Courier, The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard, Wrath of Man and The Father. As Lionsgate was previously partnered with rival Netflix, this contract represents a huge coup for Amazon.

Is Amazon Prime Video good for families?

There’s a reasonable selection of kids' movies on Prime Video, such as Encanto, Luca and Sing 2. Amazon also produces a range of original children’s programming, including Kung Fu Panda: The Paws of Destiny and Lost in Oz, and is the home of Hotel Transylvania: Transformania.

Top shows to watch on Amazon Prime:

American Gods, The Man in the High Castle, The Marvellous Mrs Maisel, Good Omens, The Romanoffs, Mr Robot, Outlander, The Grand Tour, Nine Perfect Strangers, Clarkson's Farm, Modern Love, Star Trek: Picard, Reacher, The Last of Us.

Top films to watch on Amazon Prime:

Fight Club, Manchester by the Sea, The Tomorrow War, Red, White and Royal Blue, Palm Springs, The Sound of Metal, Spencer, No Time To Die, Shotgun Wedding, The Green Knight.

Price and subscription details:

An Amazon Prime membership – which includes not just video but also music, free delivery and a range of other benefits – costs £8.99 a month, or you can save if you pay for an entire year’s membership at once at £95 all in.

Is a free trial available for Amazon Prime Video?

Yes – Amazon still offers new users a 30-day free trial.

Plus, for a limited time only (until 17th July) Amazon Prime members will be able to secure an extra 30-day free trial on select Prime Video channels. That includes the likes of Crunchyroll, MGM+, Curzon and more. Plus, you can also get three months of Paramount+ for the price of one – so £6.99.

Get Amazon Prime Video channels extended 30-day trial

For more on this Amazon Prime Video deal take a look at our guide.

RadioTimes.com says:

Amazon Prime offers the best value of any streaming service out there due to all the extra consumer-friendly features - but its streaming service stands on its own due to a number of award-winning shows, a film selection that is steadily improving and the unique ability to purchase content not included in Prime.

Start your free 30-day Amazon Prime Video trial

See how Amazon Music fares against Spotify in our Amazon Music vs Spotify guide.

For even more on Amazon, take a look at our what is an Amazon Fire TV Stick? guide.

Apple TV+

The best streaming services in 2024: How to choose between Netflix, Prime and Disney Plus (2)

Price: £8.99 a month

Devices to use: iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac, Amazon Fire TV, Roku and some new sets from Samsung, LG, Vizio, and Sony

Best for: Brand new original big-budget dramas, children's shows

Free trial: Yes

Maximum resolution: 4K

Simultaneous streams: 6

Apple created quite a fanfare with the launch of its much-anticipated new streaming service in November 2019, with a whole host of Hollywood stars ushering in the new platform.

Pros:

  • Affordable price
  • Star-studded original content
  • Great children's library
  • 4K resolution and six simultaneous streams at no extra cost
  • Three months free with an Apple device purchase

Cons:

  • Small but growing library
  • Short (one week) free trial

What is Apple TV+ good for?

Apple TV+ has gone for quality over quantity, focusing on star-studded big-budget originals with exceptional production values rather than acquiring a back catalogue of older shows.

The best TV shows on Apple TV+ include a mixture of hard-hitting dramas, experimental comedies and a growing range of documentaries, almost always with a household name attached either in front of or behind the camera.

The best movies on Apple TV+ tend to be more adult-oriented dramas, again with huge names such as Tom Hanks and Bill Murray attached. Other offerings include a Billie Eilish documentary and a Meghan Markle-narrated nature documentary.

Speaking of Billie Eilish, here's how to secure Billie Eilish tickets for her UK tour.

What original content does Apple TV+ include?

Amongst the raft of originals that launched with the platform are See, a Jason Momoa vehicle set in a world where humankind has lost the ability to see, and The Morning Show, a #MeToo focused drama that stars Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and Steve Carrell, although critical reviews have been mixed.

However, a whole host of shows have launched since, with Jason Sudeikis's football comedy Ted Lasso arguably becoming the service's flagship series. Mythic Quest, Schmigadoon! and Slow Horses have become other TV highlights, while film offerings include Tom Hanks's return to World War II in Greyhound and Bill Murray teaming-up with Sofia Coppola in On The Rocks.

Steven Spielberg is on board also helming a reboot of Amazing Stories, while Oprah Winfrey and Prince Harry have worked together on mental health documentary The Me You Can’t See.

Apple became the first streaming service to win the Best Picture Oscar for heart-warming indie drama CODA, and has found success on the TV side with Ben Stiller's workplace thriller Severance and starry anthology Roar.

What non-original content does Apple TV+ include?

The Apple TV app gives you access to UK streaming services including BBC iPlayer, All4 and ITVX, plus a dedicated kids’ section. The service also includes Apple TV Channels – which acts as a gateway to content from networks such as HBO, Showtime and Starz.

However, there is little non-original content. Apple has since started licensing older content, buying the rights to children's series Fraggle Rock and the Peanuts franchise.

Is Apple TV+ good for families?

In addition to the above acquisitions, Apple has also developed a small but growing library of charming children's fare, including a Sesame Street spin-off called Helpsters, cartoon Snoopy in Space, and a remake of 90’s kids show Ghostwriter.

Top shows to watch on Apple TV+:

See, The Morning Show, Dickinson, The Mosquito Coast, The Elephant Queen, Helpsters, Ghostwriter, Oprah’s Book Club, For All Mankind, Ted Lasso, Slow Horses, Severance, Roar.

Price and subscription details:

A subscription currently costs £8.99 a month – putting it on the cheaper end of the streaming spectrum. If you don’t currently have a compatible device (this includes most Apple products and many Smart TVs which feature the Apple TV+ app) you could buy the Apple TV HD box for £149 or take the cheaper option and purchase a streaming stick such as Roku or Amazon’s Fire TV Stick, which plug into your TV.

Buy the Apple TV HD box from £149 at Apple

Is a free trial available for Apple TV+?

Yes – any new user can sign up for a seven-day free trial.

RadioTimes.com says:

Apple TV+ was always tempting by offering the work of A-List talent at a competitive price - and it's finally starting to realise its potential by filling up its library and producing quality content that is permeating pop culture.

Sign-up for a seven-day free trial at Apple TV+

Here's how to watch Apple TV+ on a smart TV and the best Apple Music offers for this month. Also, check out how the music streaming service fared against Spotify in our Apple Music vs Spotify guide.

Disney Plus

The best streaming services in 2024: How to choose between Netflix, Prime and Disney Plus (3)

Price: Standard with Ads plan: usually £4.99 a month, now £1.99 a month for three months, Standard plan: £7.99 a month or £79.90 for a year, Premium plan: £10.99 a month or £109.90 for a year

Devices to use: Amazon Fire TV and Fire tablets, Android devices and Android-based Sony Smart TVs, Apple TV, Google Chromecast and Chromebooks, iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV LG devices, PlayStation 4/5, Roku, Samsung devices, Xbox One and Xbox Series S/X

Best for: Families, as well as fans of Disney, Marvel and Star Wars

Free trial: No

Maximum Resolution: 4K

Simultaneous streams:4 with Premium, 2 with Standard and Standard with Ads

Disney Plus only launched in March 2020, but it's safe to say it has made a pretty significant impact in the streaming landscape. As well as a valuable back catalogue, boasting Disney classics and over 700 episodes of The Simpsons, the service has huge TV hits based on the Star Wars and Marvel franchises.

The streaming service is currently offering a deal allowing customers to access the Standard With Ads tier for just £1.99 a month for the first three months. This deal is for new and returning customers and is valid until 28th September.

Pros:

  • Ideal for children and family
  • Huge franchise films and shows
  • Growing adult-oriented library with Star
  • 4k resolution and four simultaneous streams at no extra cost

Cons:

  • No free trial

What is Disney Plus good for?

It has a huge archive of animated classics, alongside everything Marvel and Star Wars.

What new content does Disney Plus include?

Some of the best series on Disney Plus include spin-off shows and mega franchises like Star Wars and Marvel, with The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, Moon Knight and Loki dominating pop culture during their release.

However, Disney's other franchises have made an appearance, too. The best movies on Disney Plus include the new live action The Little Mermaid and Pixar offerings Luca and Turning Red, which debuted exclusively on the service, while classic franchises such as The Mighty Ducks and Turner & Hooch have received reboots.

During the pandemic, the streaming service introduced Disney Plus Premier Access, allowing users to purchase new cinema releases such as Black Widow for £19.99.

In February 2021, Disney Plus added a new section called Star, which featured more mature content from other Disney-owned properties, including the Oscar-winning Nomadland and new episodes of The Walking Dead.

Swifties will be thrilled to hear that Taylor Swift's Eras Tour is now available on the streaming service, as well as other highly-anticipated content like Shōgun and The Creator. Other new content includes Inside Out 2 and Agatha All Along, and some classics such as Wizards of Waverly Place are now being made available on the platform.

What existing original content does Disney Plus include?

If it’s Disney, it’s probably there! Take a look at the A-Z of shows and films on Disney Plus guide for content available on the service.

Is Disney Plus good for families?

There’s not a brand more synonymous with family entertainment than Disney, so the answer to this one is a resounding 'yes'.

Disney Plus has since introduced Star, a section that houses more adult-oriented content. Parental controls have also been implemented, keeping all inappropriate content neatly locked away behind that one segment if needed.

Top Disney Plus original shows to watch:

The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, The World According to Jeff Goldblum, WandaVision, Marvel’s What If…?, Toy Story: Forky Asks a Question, Muppets Now, The Mandalorian, Love, Victor, Loki, Moon Knight, Pam & Tommy, Ahsoka, Percy Jackson and the Olympians.

Read more: Meet the cast of Marvel's Moon Knight on Disney Plus.

Top films to watch on Disney Plus:

Avengers: Endgame, Beauty and the Beast, Toy Story 3, Mary Poppins, The Muppets, The Parent Trap, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, The Jungle Book, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Fantasia, Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, Inside Out 2, Hamilton, Luca, Nomadland, Death on the Nile, The King's Man, Eternals.

Browse the best movies on Disney Plus.

Price and subscription details:

The price of Disney Plus depends on the plan you opt for. The Standard with Ads plan costs £4.99 a month. The Standard plan costs £7.99 a month or £79.90 for a year, and the Premium plan costs £10.99 a month or £109.90 for a year.

At the moment, Disney Plus are offering a deal allowing you to get a Standard With Ads subscription for just £1.99 a month for the first three months.

For more information, we've put together the ultimate guide to the updated Disney Plus plans and pricing.

Is a free trial available for Disney Plus?

No. A free trial was available at launch but was removed in summer 2020.

RadioTimes.com says:

Offering big-budget blockbuster TV and films based on some of the most beloved franchises in the world, Disney Plus is excellent for families and big kids alike - though its Star section is quickly becoming a game-changer offering quality adult drama on par with its rivals.

Sign-up to Disney Plus from £1.99 per month

Can you gift Disney Plus? If you're shopping for a present for a loved one, a Disney Plus gift card could be just the ticket. Plus, make sure that you know how to watch Disney Plus on a smart TV.

If you're still not convinced, check out out answer to the question is Disney Plus worth it?

Netflix

The best streaming services in 2024: How to choose between Netflix, Prime and Disney Plus (4)

Price: £4.99 (with adverts), £7.99 (for one device), £10.99 (Standard), £15.99 (Premium)

Devices to use: Gaming consoles, DVD and Blu-ray players, Smart TVs, set-top boxes, streaming sticks, home theatre systems and mobile phones and tablets

Best for: Binge-watchers, film fans and lovers of original content

Free trial: No

Maximum Resolution: 4K (Premium), HD (Standard), SD (Basic)

Simultaneous streams: 4 (Premium), 2 (Standard), 1 (Basic)

Despite the ever-increasing competition, Netflix remains the giant of the streaming industry. The service is something of a trail-blazer in the world of streaming and has over 15 million subscribers in the UK.

Pros:

  • Huge amount of original content
  • Hosts shows, such as Squid Game and Stranger Things, that have become worldwide phenomenon
  • Impressive original film library including Oscar nominees
  • High budgets and production values
  • Strong non-original content
  • Release model is ideal for bingers

Cons:

  • Extra cost for 4K and simultaneous streams
  • Reputation for cancelling shows
  • Price is creeping up
  • No free trial

What’s Netflix good for?

Netflix produces a wealth of original content, while a significant catalogue of non-original TV shows and films pads out the platform’s library.

Some of the best series on Netflix such as Bridgerton, Bojack Horseman and Stranger Things have proved their worth over a number of series, while the service has also been putting an increasing focus on its film output in recent times. After enticing directors such as Martin Scorsese and David Fincher to work for the streamer, the platform has also made quite a stir at the Oscars as some of the best movies on Netflix such as The Power of the Dog and Don't Look Up scored multiple nominations.

One criticism is that Netflix has been known to prematurely cancel shows – with fan-favourite shows such as Daredevil, Anne With an E and The OA cancelled ahead of their time despite positive reviews.

Are you a Stranger Things fan? Check out the best immersive experiences, including a Stranger Things immersive experience.

What original content does Netflix include?

Netflix produces an astronomical amount of original content – ranging from drama series to reality shows to documentaries; in 2021 alone, the platform released a new original film every week. The service has also picked up series such as Black Mirror and Cobra Kai, which were previously produced by third parties.

What non-original content does Netflix include?

As things stand, Netflix has a substantial library of non-original films and TV. However, as more streaming services emerge, it's losing some of this content, with Disney content relocating to Disney Plus, and several BBC programmes moving to ITVX.

Still, a decent amount of TV shows and films remain. Netflix continues to be the UK home of 21st century classics such as Breaking Bad, How To Get Away With Murder, and Homeland.

Is Netflix good for families?

Yes! One of many things in Netflix’s favour is that users are easily able to switch their account to the children’s setting, which includes a long list of kid-friendly programmes and films.

Top shows to watch on Netflix:

Bojack Horseman, Orange is the New Black, GLOW, The Crown, Stranger Things, Mindhunter, Bridgerton, Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, Queer Eye, Wednesday, Dark, Friends, The Office US, Anatomy of a Scandal, Squid Game, Sex Education.

Read our guide to the best series on Netflix.

The best streaming services in 2024: How to choose between Netflix, Prime and Disney Plus (5)

Top films to watch on Netflix:

Roma, Private Life, To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, Jaws, Shrek, Extraction, Hot Fuzz, His House, Easy Rider, The Power of the Dog, Joker, Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget.

Read our guide to the best movies on Netflix.

Price and subscription details:

A number of different subscriptions are available, with the most basic starting at £4.99 a month – this gets you access to all of the platform’s content but is limited to one screen at a time per account, and includes adverts. HD is not available with this plan.

The Standard plan is £10.99 a month and allows you to watch on two screens at once, with HD available. If you're looking for a cheaper option, you can opt for the £7.99 a month membership, giving you access to one screen viewing in standard definition. A premium account allows an account to watch on up to four screens simultaneously and also offers ultra HD and is available for £15.99 a month.

Is a free trial available for Netflix?

No. Netflix previously offered a generous 30-day free trial, but this was removed in December 2019.

RadioTimes.com says:

The first major streaming service and still one of the best, few can match Netflix for their impact on streaming and the world at large. The sheer deluge of content means there are a few misses, but Netflix swings big with impressive budgets, talent and production value, meaning its hits often become worldwide sensations.

Sign up to Netflix from £4.99 a month

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NOW

The best streaming services in 2024: How to choose between Netflix, Prime and Disney Plus (6)

Price: £9.99 a month (Entertainment Pass), £9.99 (Cinema Pass), £4.99 (Hayu Pass)

Devices to use: Xbox & PS4/PS5, YouView, Roku, NOW TV Box, EE TV, Apple TV, selected LG Smart TV models, blu-ray players and soundbars, Chromecast

Best for: Recent prestige shows from Sky and HBO, plus blockbuster films on demand

Free trial: Yes

Maximum Resolution: 720p HD (Full 1080p HD with NOW Boost for an extra £5 a month)

Simultaneous Streams: 1 (3 with NOW Boost for an extra £5 a month)

First launched in 2012, NOW is Sky’s on-demand streaming service. It provides users with several options: they can opt for an Entertainment pass, giving them access to TV content, a Cinema pass, a Sports pass, a Hayu Pass, or any combination of these.

Pros:

  • Blockbuster films
  • Dramas from Sky and HBO
  • Strong library of older content
  • Regular deals and offers

Cons:

  • Expensive
  • Separate costs for films and TV
  • Extra cost for HD and simultaneous streams

What is NOW good for?

NOW is an excellent place to catch the latest dramas from Sky and HBO, such as Game of Thrones, Succession, Euphoria, The White Lotus and The Last of Us.

If you’re a film fan keen to watch the latest blockbusters soon after they leave the cinema, this might be the service for you. The films included with a Sky Cinema pass frequently include some of the biggest recent hits, and there’s a decent selection of classics as well.

Like Amazon, Hayu is also available through NOW, offering over 8000 episodes of US reality shows such as Keeping Up With The Kardashians. Hayu also offers its own subscription that costs £4.99 a month, and there's a seven day free trial.

What original content does NOW include?

All Sky originals go straight onto NOW TV, with hits including Chernobyl – one of the biggest critical darlings of 2019 – and Yellowjackets amongst the best shows on NOW.

What non-original content does NOW include?

NOW TV is the first port of call for content produced by the US, including Watchmen, Euphoria and Westworld. It is worth noting, however, that this content does not stay on the platform indefinitely; much like BBC iPlayer, shows are removed from the service a short while after broadcasting, though usually return eventually as a box set.

The platform is also home to an impressive back catalogue of classic shows, such as The Sopranos, Sex and the City and Dexter, so when combined with the excellent and constantly updated selection of films, the NOW TV catalogue is pretty formidable.

Is NOW good for families?

NOW previously had a separate Kids pass, but now children's shows are now included as part of the Entertainment Pass for no extra charge. The Cinema pass also includes a broad range of movies that are suitable for the whole family, with parental PIN controls available on both passes.

Top shows to watch on NOW:

Succession, Chernobyl, Britannia, Patrick Melrose, Big Little Lies, Watchmen, Twin Peaks, The Sopranos, Sex and the City, The Undoing, The White Lotus, Euphoria, Peacemaker, Yellowjackets.

Top films to watch on NOW:

Sunset Boulevard, Mission Impossible Groundhog Day, Extinct, Knives Out, Midway, Bill & Ted Face the Music, Dune.

Price and subscription details:

Both the Entertainment Pass and Cinema Pass cost £9.99 each. So if you'd like NOW's entire range of both film and TV shows that'll set you back £19.98 a month. However, NOW is one of the few streaming services that will regularly offer deals and bundles.

Hayu is an optional additional Pass also, allowing access to several US reality shows for £4.99 a month.

As mentioned above, you can also add NOW Boost for full HD playback on up to 3 devices at once for £5 extra a month, while a Sports pass is available for £33.99 a month, or a one-off day pass is £11.98.

You may also want to read our NOW smart TV stick review before signing up, especially if you don't have a smart TV.

Is a free trial available for NOW TV?

NOW allow new users a seven-day free trial for each of their passes, except Sport, so that includes Entertainment, Cinema, Hayu and NOW Boost.

RadioTimes.com says:

Premium in price and content NOW has firmly established itself as the UK home of prestige TV and recent blockbuster movies; you'll be treated to the latest and greatest from both sides of the Atlantic.

Start your seven-day free NOW TV trial now

What's the history of streaming services in the UK?

The first major streaming service was of course Netflix, which began in 1997 in the US as a DVD rental company, before launching their game-changing streaming service in the UK in 2012. The price for the streaming service is pretty competitive, and you can sign-up to Netflix from £4.99 a month.

Then known as NOW TV, NOW joined the streaming wars relatively early in 2012 and offered Sky's extensive library of films, TV shows and sports coverage to those without a pay-TV subscription.

Following the retail giant's purchase of LoveFilm, Amazon Prime Video launched in the UK in 2014 as part of the site's Prime subscription. Amazon's streaming service is also one of the few to offer a free 30-day trial.

Apple was the next technology titan to get in on the streaming action, launching their own service Apple TV+ in November 2019 with original shows fronted by the likes of Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and Jason Momoa. Apple TV+ also offers a free trial, although it's only seven days.

One of the newest streaming services is Disney Plus, which launched in the UK in March 2020 with the studio's iconic back catalogue and the very first live-action Star Wars show The Mandalorian. Now with the addition of new Disney Plus Star shows, the streaming service is available on a range of price plans which usually start from £4.99 a month, but are now available for £1.99 for the first three months.

You've likely heard of other major streaming services, such as Hulu, HBO Max and Peacock, however, those platforms are not available in the UK and are instead based in the US.

However, there are plenty of other niche streaming services popping up including DAZN, where you'll find a lot of boxing matches available, and Hayu, the home of most reality TV shows. In terms of cost, signing up to DAZN is £7.99 a month, while Hayu costs £4.99 but there is a one-month free trial.

See what else is on with our TV Guide, or for more on streaming, check out our guide to the best streaming devices, What is Sky Glass explainer and can I get Disney Plus on BT?

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The best streaming services in 2024: How to choose between Netflix, Prime and Disney Plus (2024)

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