As the streaming war between major media companies rages on, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to tell the services apart. And it doesn’t help that some of the names are pretty similar.
Nowadays, it’s common practice to put a plus sign at the end of the network name for streaming services, but what you get for the products isn’t always the same.
We’ll discuss the big streaming services with plus signs, like Disney+ and Paramount+, and differentiate them from newer platforms like MGM+ and Hallmark+. We’ll also help you differentiate what services like QVC+ and WatchFree+ actually have to offer.
(Disney)
What you get: Disney’s streaming service offers everything the Mouse is famous for: Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, Pixar and of course classic Disney films.
From $7.99/month with ads on Disney+
(ESPN+)
What you get: While a cable subscription is the best way to access most live games, you can also watch some on ESPN+, as well as stream match replays and access originals like the full 30 for 30 library.
$10.99/month at ESPN
(Paramount+)
What you get: The ViacomCBS platform includes select programming from Comedy Central, BET, Nickelodeon, MTV, CBS and more. Here you can watch vintage episodes of MTV reality shows as well as the Frasier restart and the Star Trek catalog.
Subscriptions start at $5.99 per month with ads or $11.99 with Showtime.
Starting at $5.99/month with ads on Paramount+
(discovery+)
What you get: It’s Max without all the HBO content. Shows from HGTV, TLC and the Discovery Channel are all available on the streaming service, which is notoriously convenient for fans of reality TV and documentaries.
From $4.99/month with ads on discovery+
(Apple)
What you get: The streaming service offers exclusive series and films from Apple, such as Parting And Ted Lasso. It’s especially great for science fiction fans.
Note: You can rent or purchase things through Apple TV (functionally the renamed iTunes Store) usingout an Apple TV+ subscription. But you’ll need a subscription to watch Apple TV+ Originals like The morning show.
$9.99/month with Apple TV
(Lions Gate)
What you get: Nothing! That was Starz’s international name, but it closed in February 2024. Starz is still around: Lionsgate’s premium streaming service offers a number of movies and original shows, such as Foreigner and the ever-increasing Current spin-off universe.
Starz normally costs you $8.99 per month, but you can usually get a deal on your first few months. You can also bundle the platform as an add-on through Amazon Prime Video or Hulu.
$4.99/month for your first 3 months at Starz
(Quality mark)
What you get: The streaming service for heartfelt Hallmark content has gone by many names — Feeln, SpiritClips, Hallmark Movies Now — but starting in July 2024, it will be called Hallmark+. There, you’ll find family-friendly, inspirational content and, of course, the seasonal movies the channel is best known for.
$7.99/month at Hallmark
(MGM number)
What you get: Amazon’s platform, once known as Epix, is a premium cable and satellite television network and streaming platform similar to HBO. MGM+ is a sister platform to Prime Video ($14.99 per month) and Freevee (free and ad-supported). It’s home to a handful of original series, but is perhaps best known as the first platform to claim streaming rights to highly anticipated new releases like Top Gun: Maverick And Challengers.
You can try MGM+ for free for seven days through Amazon Prime Video.
$6.99/month at Amazon
(BET+)
What you get: The service is home to BET original movies and series such as Merciless And Bruh. It is managed by Tyler Perry Studios and BET Media Group, which is part of ViacomCBS. Some BET content is available on Paramount+, but not as much as BET+.
$5.99/month at BET+
(AMC number)
What you get: The premium streaming package includes content from AMC Networks, such as the Walking dead universe and Mad men, and shows and films from Shudder, SundanceNow, BBC America and IFC Films Unlimited.
From $4.99/month with ads at AMC
(Vizio)
What you get: If you have a Vizio TV, this is one of the apps you can use to watch over 300 channels for free — but they’re not traditional networks. There’s a whole channel for Baby shark and one more for Bachelor Nation.
Watch for free at Vizio
(QVC number)
What you get: If you like watching shopping channels but want a little more choice, QVC+ and HSN+ are for you. Different programs offer different types of products, from holiday shopping to style recommendations. There are a handful of original programs, like Busy Philipps’ talk show Busy week this week.
Free at QVC
