Whether you are cutting the cable TV cord for the first time or are looking to compare offerings from top streaming services, this guide will give you a good idea of the streaming landscape in 2022. Read on to get details on how to stream your favorite TV and movie content.
How Much Internet Speed Do I Need For Streaming?
| Video Definition | Recommended Internet Speed |
| Standard Definition | 1.5 – 3 Mbps |
| High Definition | 3 – 5 Mbps |
| 4K High Definition | 15 – 25 Mbps |
The amount of internet speed you need to stream your favorite movies or TV shows will depend on what video definition you are streaming and can also vary between streaming providers. Simply put, a higher video definition will require a faster internet speed. In general, standard definition requires around 3Mbps, high definition requires roughly 5 Mbps, and 4K ultra HD requires upwards of 25 Mbps.
Recommendations of internet speed can also vary by provider. For example, Netflix recommends an internet speed of 25 Mbps to stream their content in 4K, while Amazon Prime Video recommends 15 Mbps for the same definition.
Another consideration when considering what internet plan you need is that all devices connected to your internet use bandwidth. For example, two devices streaming 4K television at the same time could use upwards of 50 Mbps (25 Mbps + 25 Mbps). If you have multiple devices using the internet at once, it may require a faster internet speed to accommodate all of the internet users in your household, especially if you want to stream in 4K.
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If you are interested in comparing the best high speed internet providers in your area, you can click here to explore our robust database of top internet providers and plans.
Top Streaming Services
| Providers | Netflix | Hulu | Amazon Prime Video | HBO Max | Disney+ |
| Movie Count | 3,600+ | 1,230+ | 26,300+ | 2,000+ | 740+ |
| TV Show Count | 1,800+ | 1,300+ | 2,700+ | 580+ | 280+ |
| Starting Price per Month | $15.50 | $5.99 – $11.99 | $8.99 | $14.99 | $7.99 |
As you can tell from the table above, streaming services offer an array of content options as well as price points. The most content offered by the compared providers is Amazon Prime Video (included in an Amazon Prime subscription), with over 29,000 titles to choose from. The cheapest option is a Hulu with ads subscription at $5.99 a month ($11.99 a month without ads).
However, simply comparing the amount of titles offered may not be the best metric on deciding on a streaming service due to varying content. Many streaming services offer exclusive content that can only be accessed through their subscription. This means that a decision on what streaming service to select will depend greatly on what content you are interested in. For example, if you are interested in viewing the Star Wars franchise or Pixar movies, Disney+ would be the ideal choice as that content is exclusive to their service. Below are links that display popular content for each streaming service by JustWatch:
-Best movies and TV shows on Netflix.
-Best movies and TV shows on Hulu.
-Best movies and TV shows on Amazon Video.
-Best movies and TV shows on HBO Max.
-Best movies and TV shows on Disney Plus.
Conclusion: The world of streaming is becoming more and more popular with new streaming services entering the market creating a lot of choices for the consumer.
In short:
-Ensure you have high speed internet for streaming.
-Narrow down which service to subscribe to based on which provider offers your desired TV shows and movies.
-Enjoy your favorite content with a click of a button.
