The Battle of the Streaming Platforms

Ad-supported tiers of subscription video on demand (SVOD) services such as Hulu and Amazon Prime Video present marketers with unique challenges. As these services offer content that appeals to different demographics, choosing one may prove challenging.

Big media companies are faltering in their bid to attract subscribers for direct-to-consumer offerings, with price hikes, password sharing crackdowns and the addition of ads-supported tiers all serving to slow subscriber growth for some time to come.

Netflix

Netflix was established as an online DVD and Blu-ray rental-by-mail company in 1997 before transitioning into an online video streaming service in 2001. Over time, their library has expanded significantly with both licensed and original television series and movies being made available on demand streaming, including House of Cards and Stranger Things – two notable hits that made an impressionful first impression when first released for rent or sale online.

Netflix provides an affordable solution for many, starting with basic plans at $9 per month for standard definition, or SD, streaming on one screen at once. Higher tier plans enable HD and 4K streaming as well as multiscreen viewing on four devices at the same time.

Netflix has faced some backlash following price hikes and its password sharing crackdown, yet few can compare to this industry leader. Plus, each month they release original shows. Plus they have access to foreign language content not found elsewhere!

Hulu

Hulu offers plans that cater to your streaming TV show needs from simple TV show streaming sessions to comprehensive cable replacement, from simple monthly plans costing $8 per month up to the top-tier plan with live TV streaming service at $90 – each plan can be purchased with or without ads.

Hulu offers an expansive on-demand library of TV shows and movies, as well as original content and premium add-ons such as HBO Max. Users can explore different genres such as thriller, comedy, news classics sci fi etc.

Hulu offers two live TV options that can be combined with its on-demand streaming services for an unforgettable viewing experience. Choose between 85+ popular channels, local news and entertainment favorites – cancel these plans online or through mobile phone; save videos offline viewing up to five devices simultaneously using Hulu app!

Amazon Prime Video

Amazon Prime Video is an online movie and TV streaming service offering both rental and purchase options of movies and shows. Furthermore, Prime Video also provides subscription add-ons such as HBO, Showtime Anytime, PSS Masterpiece, Britbox and Magnolia Selects at additional costs.

This platform also boasts an ever-expanding lineup of original TV programming, such as Mozart in the Jungle, The Man in the High Castle, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Upload and Reacher; moreover it recently expanded its live sports offerings to include NBA League Pass.

Prime Video is an ad-supported service, but ads tend to be short and only appear occasionally. Additionally, you can add channels like SHOWTIME and STARZ that provide an ad-free experience for an additional cost. Plus, with an Amazon Echo speaker or smart TV you can control your viewing experience as well as manage other subscriptions from one central place!

FuboTV

FuboTV is a sports-centric streaming service with a comprehensive selection of entertainment channels. After being initially launched as a soccer-only option in 2015, its offerings have since expanded to include numerous major sports channels as well as general entertainment networks such as A&E, Bravo, FX Food Network USA Comedy Central Disney Hallmark Channel DIY plus regional sports channels that you can add on as desired.

FuboTV offers its Pro bundle for $75 per month, providing 10 simultaneous streams and over 160 channels. Similar to other services, fuboTV includes a cloud DVR (with optional unlimited DVR hours available at an extra cost), making it accessible across most popular streaming devices including Apple TV, Roku, Chromecast and Android TV boxes; smart TVs from Hisense, LG Samsung Vizio as well as apps on Xbox One consoles.