Streaming sites have evolved to being cable TV’s biggest rivals. In the age of streaming, there are countless sites for you to choose from and, if you’re going to pick one in lieu of cable, you’ll want to be sure that it will provide benefits for your whole family. Here are the best entertainment streaming sites for your family.

Spotify

Spotify is one of the biggest and most popular music streaming services available right now. Subscription fee is $14.99 a month, up to 6 Premium accounts for family members living under one roof. Spotify Premium is ad-free, can be played offline, and has on-demand playback. It is regularly updated, and with the Premium for Family, you can block explicit music and you can download Spotify Kids, a special app for kids up to age 12. Following the instructions at Deviant Noise, you and your kids may also upload music to Spotify.

Netflix

Netflix is the big name in streaming. Coming in at $8.99 a month it provides a good selection of pre-existing content that changes monthly. It also sports an impressive roster of original programming that outclasses every other streaming service. You’ve no-doubt heard of titles like Black Mirror, Bojack Horseman, The Crown, Stranger Things and Orange is the New Black, but the list goes far beyond that. You can set up a dedicated childrens account that limits all non-child-friendly content, so your family can rest easy in the knowledge that your kids are only watching what they’re supposed to.

YouTube TV

YouTube TV has a great selection of channels, but broadcasts more live sports and news than anything else. This isn’t too family-oriented, even though YouTube is more known for attracting younger viewers. However, it has entertainment channels that you can get on cable, like ABC, AMC, CBS, CNN, FX, NBC, as well as channels from the Discovery Network (e.g. Animal Planet, Food Network), which many families find attractive. The downside of YouTube TV is that it is $49.99 a month, which is a large price tag on a streaming site with such a limited selection.

Hulu

Hulu is a versatile streaming site. It is one of the best options for those who are severing their cable ties completely and it has a good library of classic TV and movies, as well as originals like the Emmy-winning The Handmaid’s Tale. You can stream on up to two devices simultaneously (perfect for families that don’t watch everything together). It’s also noted for its media-first app design and lack of performance issues. It suits lower budgets at $5.99/month, but that comes with advertising. You can get an ad-free version for $11.99/month, and you can add live TV to that plan for a grand total of $54.99 a month. There are also several Hulu deals available, including 25% off bundle orders.

Amazon Prime Video

With Amazon, you can either buy a Video subscription or get it free with your Prime subscription. It costs $8.99 a month ($3 fewer than a Prime account) and gives you access to Amazon’s streaming library, which features a wide range of excellent original programming, as well as great shows from networks like HBO.

Prime Video allows you to download shows for offline viewing, perfect for each family member to stay entertained during long journeys, and you can stream up to 3 shows at the same time from the same account.

These four giants are the biggest names in TV streaming at the moment, but before you get a year’s subscription to one, be aware that 2020 is the year that streaming gets more competitive. Disney is entering the industry with Disney+, Apple had already established Apple TV, and even cable channels are creating streaming competition in the form of CBS All Access and HBO Now. Your options have never been wider, so the hard part is deciding which subscription to buy!

Published: 2020-08-07 09:25:40