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Streaming Services 101: How to Access Your Favorite Movies and Shows

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Streaming services are an exciting technology resource to access entertainment of all kinds. However, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and pay too much if you have no idea what you’re doing. What are the best ways to access your favorite movies and shows? What kinds of services do you need?

Whether you are investing in streaming services for the first time or want to narrow down your options as a senior viewer, there are ample selections available. Read on to learn more about some of the top streaming services, along with a vital note to consider before purchasing a subscription to your favorite platform.

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Top Streaming Services

Disney+

If you love Disney shows and movies, Disney+ is the way to go. It’s a platform with all the Disney entertainment you could want, plus ample other sources of entertainment along the way. Those interested in Disney, National Geographic, Marvel, Pixar, ESPN, Star Wars, and more will adore Disney+ for $9.99 a month.

Here are some of the perks you can access with Disney+:

  • New Disney releases and classics
  • A significant variety of content
  • Hulu connectivity
  • Simple interface
  • Competitive pricing

Also note that if you plan on entertaining grandkids with some frequency, Disney+ can be a good option to watch with them, while still giving you access to sports and documentaries when they aren’t around! 

Amazon Prime Video

Amazon Prime Video is available as a service add-on to an Amazon Prime membership, so it’s most beneficial for seniors who already use Amazon Prime for things like delivering beneficial superfoods. It costs $8.99 as an add-on to the Prime membership and includes the opportunity to rent at-home theater options.

Here are some of the benefits of Amazon Prime Video:

  • Affordable add-on for those with Prime already
  • Exclusive content like Amazon originals and NFL Thursday Night football
  • Significant library
  • Unique streaming features 

Netflix

Netflix is the classic streaming service option, but one of the most expensive if you want no advertisements. The plan with ads is $7.99 a month with limited access, but the cheapest no-ad plan with unlimited access is $17.99 a month. One of the best aspects of Netflix is the ample number of original shows and movies they offer, plus a user-intuitive design. 

Here are some of the best aspects of Netflix:

  • Cheap option, albeit with ads and limited access 
  • Intro skip
  • Intuitive design
  • Ample feature functions

Hulu

Hulu is ideal if you care about sports and want access to live television. For those who don’t want to give up cable, you can pay more to have Hulu as the hub for streaming and cable television needs. Plus, with their significant library, seniors could help their brains by learning something new. With ads, the base Hulu is $7.99 a month, and with live TV is $76 a month.

Here are some of the most popular parts of Hulu:

  • Bundle deals with Disney+ and ESPN+ 
  • Unlimited DVR with live TV addition
  • Next-day access
  • Ample device support
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Peacock

Peacock is less popular than other streaming services, but it’s home to some of the most significant services, like The Office and Parks and Recreation. It’s one of the most budget-friendly options and was created by NBC, so you get the shows and sports associated with that channel. Peacock can be accessed for $7.99 a month.

Here are the most significant components of Peacock:

  • Variety of content
  • NBC content
  • Low price point
  • Fewer limitations with the lowest price 

HBO Max

If you love originals, HBO Max is the streaming service for your budget. Their goal is typically to value quantity over quality, so you will get fewer options than other streaming services but more unique, well-crafted HBO originals and beyond. It’s ideal for seniors who want to settle into a good story for $9.99 a month with ads. 

Here are the pros of HBO Max:

  • Decent catalog of movies and TV shows
  • Live news and sports
  • App options
  • User-friendly interface

Apple TV+

Apple TV is another platform seniors who prioritize quality over quantity will enjoy. It offers ample educational opportunities with content, offering the chance to watch it again and again for better knowledge retention. For $9.99 a month, you get ample original shows and an interface ready to work with you.

Here are some of the best aspects of Apple TV+:

  • No ads
  • Support for ample streaming options
  • Easy accessibility for seniors
  • Ability to download offline 

Paramount+

Our final selection is Paramount+, which is another more obscure selection for seniors. It’s ideal for those who want access to live sports, Star Trek content, and all CBS offers. You can purchase the lowest tier of Paramount+ for $4.99 a month, making it one of the most affordable selections in the streaming world for seniors.

Here are the top parts of Paramount+:

  • Ample shows and TV
  • Lower price point
  • Sports access
  • Some theater releases

What Streaming Service Has the Biggest Movie Library?

Seniors who have a focus on vast amounts of content should go with Amazon Prime Video as their primary selection for streaming services. Right now, Amazon Prime Video holds an incredible 20,000 titles to search through. The next closest service is Netflix, which has around 6,000 titles.

However, it’s vital to note quantity isn’t always the same as quality. Many of Amazon Prime Video’s selections aren’t great movies and television, so those who want excellent pieces may not want to go with Amazon Prime for their content numbers.

What is the Best Streaming Service to Get All the Channels?

Those who want to invest in a streaming service but also want to keep all the channels should go with Hulu plus live TV. This option includes all the streaming options along with access to live sports, news, and more. 

It’s vital to note it will cost significantly more a month to access all the channels. However, the price point is typically much less than traditional cable service.

A Note on Investing in Streaming Services

It’s ideal to invest in only the services you truly want and need. One or two should be enough to cover all the shows and movies you need, and only having a few will make it simple to track. The more streaming services available, the easier for them to go unused and become a waste of money.

Related: The 8 Best Adaptive Technology Gadgets

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