The best UK streaming services 2024 Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, NOW, BritBox, Apple TV, Rakuten
On demand TV streaming services are hugely popular and while there’s no doubt Netflix remains the global leader in terms of total subscriber numbers, there are many other excellent TV streaming services out there.
We take a look at some of the best TV streaming services that you can sign up for on your smart TV, smart TV plugin or games console (Roku TV Box, Now TV stick, Playstation, XBox etc). Binge viewing has never been easier!
“ON demand TV – watch what you want, when you want”
2024 Top TV streaming services
1. Netflix
Netflix has come a long way from its origins as a postal DVD rental & delivery service. Netflix quickly adapted once superfast internet services came online. Netflix first launched the streaming service we are all familiar with way back in 2007 and hasn’t looked back.
Today Netflix has 100’s of original shows, documentaries and movies, plus access to hours of content from other providers including BBC, HBO & others.
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Netflix has won critical acclaim for many of its original shows including; Orange Is The New Black, The Crown, Stranger Things & Ozark. The TV phenomenon Squid Game is exclusively on Netflix, Squid Game has become one of the most streamed series ever worldwide.
In 2022/3 Netflix launched Heartstopper an LGBTQ+ teen drama set in the UK, Heartstopper quickly went to No.1 spot across multiple Netflix regions, winning millions of fans. While Netflix has recently suffered a fall subscriber numbers, they recently dropped season 2 of Heartstopper season and are now filming season 3.
2. Disney+
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Disney+ launched in 2019 for US viewers and March 2020 for UK viewers. Disney Plus is a monthly subscription service from Disney, bundled with content from the Disney family including: Disney Studios, Marvel, National Geographic, Pixar & Star Wars
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The Disney+ app is now available to download on most smart TVs, phones, tablets, laptops and other devices. Disney+ is priced competitively with other streaming services. They offer a standard monthly plan (with ads) at £4.99 / $7.99, standard (ad free) £7.99 (or a 12 month subscription for £79.90 / $79.99 a 15% saving. There is also a premium UHD version at £10.99 (or £109.90 for 12 months).
Can’t get Disney+ on your TV? Some smart TV’s still don’t have the Disney+ app, but don’t fear you can still get Disney+ via plug-in streaming devices and also on the latest connected games consoles XBox and Playstation. ROKU & Fire Stick plug-ins cost around £20 – £40 and will stream Disney+ and other popular services (*subject to paying the streaming services monthly or annual subscription).
3. BBC iPlayer
iPlayer is the BBCs FREE streaming service for UK TV licence payers. BBC iPlayer is accessible via the iPlayer app, on most smart TVs, games consoles and online. The iPlayer app has been updated and now offers an improved user experience.
[wptb id="1084" not found ]iPlayer allows you to live stream BBC shows if you are located in the UK, you can also catch up with popular BBC shows and watch loads of on demand content including hugely popular; Traitors, Killing Eve, Dr Who, Silent Witness & Line of Duty as well old BBC classics like Fawlty Towers & One foot in the grave. BBC iPlayer also shows a good selection BBC documentary series like Planet Earth I & Planet Earth II, Blue Planet and Green Planet, plus a selection of films & movies that refresh with new titles regularly added.
For viewers not based in the UK BBC & ITV have launched ‘Britbox’ an international subscription service bringing the best UK TV to a worldwide audience.
4. Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video is up there with Netflix by subscriber numbers, like Netflix Amazon Prime is also a major original content producer. Amazon has created loads of its own shows coming out of Amazon Studios including award winning TV shows like Clarksons Farm, Nine Perfect Strangers, The Grand Tour, plus documentaries and movies like. Amazon recently incorporated MGM Studios popular James Bond and Rocky franchises, plus 100’s of other movies into its huge back catalog of movies.
Prime Video is available as a monthly or annual subscription from £7.99 / $7.99 per month and includes the add-on Amazon Prime priority delivery service.
Prime Video differs from Netflix as it also provides access to additional paid for content including the latest movie releases movies and complete box sets from other services. You can also add in-app channels to the Prime service, so you can add services like Brit Box or Hulu (at extra cost). Amazon Prime has also recently moved into live sports and has rights to show a number of live UK football matches in 2021. Amazon Prime also shows rugby, golf, ATP tennis and other popular sporting events.
[wptb id="1091" not found ]5. NOW
Now TV is brought to you from SKY satellite broadcasting. Relaunched as NOW in 2021 NOW allows you to stream SKY channels and content on demand. To get NOW you will need a smart TV or device with the NOW app installed. You can also get a NOW dongle/stick if you don’t have a compatible smart TV.
NOW works on a (pay as you go) payg subscription, there is no contract or commitment, so you are free to cancel at any time. NOW offers a selection of memberships, you can choose from the following plans: Sky Cinema (£11.99 per month), Entertainment (£9.99 per month), Kids (£3.99 per month) and Sports (from £9.99 per month).
Can’t get NOW TV app on your TV? Some smart TV’s still don’t have the NOW app, but don’t fear you can still get NOW via compatible streaming devices, including those from ROKU and NOWs own plugin devices. You can also get NOW via the latest connected games consoles like X-Box and Playstation 4. Plugin streaming devices require a decent wireless internet connection and play on your TV via your TV’s HDMI input.
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6. Apple TV+
Apple TV+ officially launched in November 2019 after months of trials in US homes. Apple TV+ is a monthly subscription service and can be accessed via the Apple TV+ app on smart TVs and devices, or on Apple TV Boxes.
Apple have commissioned a number of original productions including documentaries like Dads, The Elephant Queen and drama series like SEE, Servant and Truth Be Told. Apple have also started to license older content from other studios to bolster viewer choice. Apple have also supported the release of new original films on Apple TV+. Like other services Apple have struggled with production of original content due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
You can get Apple TV+ free for a year when you purchase a qualifying Apple product. The service is also available to anyone for a 7 day free trial, then £6.99 / $6.99 a month (until cancelled).
Can’t get Apple TV + on your TV? Some smart TV’s still don’t have the Apple TV app, but don’t fear you can still get Apple TV via a ROKU streaming device, these start around £20 and plug into your TV. All ROKU devices require access to a wireless internet connection but simply plug in to one of your TVs HDMI sockets for access to Apple TV and other popular streaming services.
7. Paramount+
Paramount+ launched in 2021, bringing together Paramount & CBS content, a rebrand of CBS All Access platform. Paramount+ began an international rollout in 2022. Paramount+ brings original shows, movies and content to a growing audience of almost 64 million. Popular shows include Yellowstone, Halo, Tulsa King & Fellow Travellers.
Paramount+ is available on most smart TV’s and plug-ins (Roku, NOW). Paramount+ offers a 7 day free trial signed up via Amazon Prime. Paramount+ costs £6.99/month or £69.90/year.
8. Rakuten TV
Rakuten TV offers both free and paid TV services. Rakuten TV is available on most smart TVs, via a mobile/tablet app and also via the Rakuten website. Rakuten TV allows you to stream from a huge catalog of movies including many of the latest movie releases as soon as they are available. If you can’t find a movie on Netflix or Prime the chances are it will be available via Rakuten.
Choose to rent movies for 48 hours or buy movies to keep backed up in your Rakuten account to stream whenever you like. Rakuten TV offers content in HD & UHD when available.
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